Bella, Cricket Player - Real Skin Stories

Bella has struggled with her skin for as long as she can remember, and at times it deeply affected her confidence. While cricket had once been a place where she could simply focus on playing, being in the moment and enjoying the team around her, her skin struggles began to change that. What had once felt like freedom started to feel overshadowed by anxiety, self-consciousness and the constant worry about how her skin looked. Off the pitch, it affected her just as much. She stopped dancing, avoided dating and never felt comfortable leaving the house without make-up. She’d look in the mirror and feel completely overwhelmed by how her skin looked.

Bella first heard about 47 Skin through her mum while she was at university. She started using the products consistently and began to notice changes in how her skin looked and felt within the first week, with continued improvements over time.

Now, while she’s still on a journey with her skin, she feels so much more comfortable and confident. Bella can leave the house make-up free most days and feel like herself again. She’s also been able to reconnect with cricket in a different way - stepping onto the pitch without her skin being the first thing on her mind and enjoying the game for what it is again. She’s started saying yes to opportunities she would have avoided before, and no longer feels like her skin defines her.

Q&A:

Looking back on your journey, were there any places or situations you used to feel anxious about because of your skin?
I couldn’t go anywhere without wearing make-up. I quit dancing because of how my skin looked at the time. I wouldn’t date either. I’d look in the mirror and cry. Now, I go make-up free most days.

Is there one particular memory that’s stayed with you from when your skin was at its worst?
An ex-boyfriend used to be reluctant to touch the skin on my back. He said it was because he didn’t want to make it sore, but he wasn’t very eloquent about it and it absolutely crushed me.

How did you first hear about 47 Skin, and what made you decide to give it a try?
My mum sent it to me while I was at university as she knew I was really struggling and everything else I had tried hadn’t worked for me. I started to notice some changes in how my skin looked and felt within the first week of use.

How did your skin struggles impact the way you played cricket?
Before struggling with my skin, I’d pop my cricket bag on, get my kit on, walk out, play and my mind could focus just on playing and enjoying and being in the moment. And that’s something that I did miss when I did go through my teens, struggling with my skin into my early 20s. Being able to just solely focus on the job in hand as more of a bowler, taking wickets.

How does it feel stepping onto the cricket pitch now compared to before?
I now go out and I play hard rather than holding back and rather than hiding behind something. I can go out there, put my boots on, walk out, walk to my mark, run in to bowl, and I’m focusing purely on that. Not on my skin, not on what people are looking at me, what they’re saying about me, and all those things. I can just go out there and play and really live in the moment and enjoy what I’m doing.

What’s life like for you now that your skin has improved?
While I’m still on a journey with my skin, I’m definitely in a better place with it now. It’s really nice that I now get compliments on how my skin looks or how much more settled it appears.

What would you say to someone who’s struggling with their skin right now?
You are loved, you are beautiful and things will get better.

When did your skin journey begin, and what was that time in your life like?
I’ve had acne since I was eight years old and it progressively got worse through my teens and early 20s. I remember feeling embarrassed in dance class wearing a leotard as everyone could see my back. At university, I felt jealous and frustrated seeing other girls wear backless tops when I didn’t feel comfortable doing the same because of my skin.

What were your main skin concerns?
I’ve always struggled with red, sore breakouts on my face, chest, back and bottom. It was very uncomfortable and really affected how I felt day to day.
What did you try before discovering 47 Skin and how did it make you feel?
 I had tried lots of skincare products aimed at acne-prone skin, as well as treatments from my doctor. Some helped temporarily, but I didn’t feel like I had found something that worked for me long term. I felt very frustrated as my skin was holding me back.

Physically, what did a bad skin day feel like for you?
A bad skin day for me was waking up, looking in the mirror and wanting to crawl back into bed. The texture and redness sometimes felt hard to cover with make-up, which made me feel upset and overwhelmed.

How often did you think about your skin, and how did it affect your mental health?
I used to think about my skin multiple times a day. Catching my reflection would give me a really uncomfortable feeling, like I wasn’t where I wanted to be.

Tell us about the products in your current routine and how they fit into your day
I use the cleanser, serum, and moisturiser in the morning. In the evening, I use the body wash and body moisturiser after my shower, followed by the same three products on my face. I use the clay mask once a week and the hydrating elixir as needed.

How did your skin and confidence change over time while using 47 Skin?
Over time, I started to feel more confident. I found it easier to look people in the eye and speak up in meetings. I started dating again and felt more comfortable being open about my skin.

What difference has 47 Skin made in your day-to-day life?
I can now leave the house make-up free most days and feel more comfortable and confident in myself.

What can you do now that you used to avoid before?
I now allow my photograph to be taken and say yes to opportunities I might have avoided before because I didn’t feel confident enough.

What would you say to your younger self about your skin journey?
Things will get better for you. I know it seems hard, but you are strong and beautiful just as you