z(it) happens / acne 101

5 Things I’d Do If I Had to Heal My Hormonal Acne All Over Again

Hormonal acne doesn’t play by the same rules as a random breakout. It’s tied to hormone levels, stress, and how your body moves through everyday life. I’ve been there — and if I had to start the healing journey from scratch, here’s exactly what I’d do.

How to Support a Friend Who’s Struggling With Their Skin

We all know someone — maybe a friend, coworker, or classmate — navigating adult acne or severe acne. Knowing how to be a supportive friend in a situation like this matters, because a strong support system can make progress feel achievable and their mental health a little easier to handle. First, recognize that acne isn’t the same for everyone, it’s usually deeply personal and individual to their own bodily makeup, hormones, and other factors. Adult acne and severe acne can obviously affect confidence, mood, and how your friend navigates the world. So your role? Offer empathy, not judgment (of course). A few encouraging words or simple check-ins can go a long way toward empowering them on their journey.

Let Your Skin Just…Exist: Embracing Acne Neutrality

We’ve all had those mornings. Your reflection greets you with a fresh breakout, and suddenly every scroll on social media feels like a reminder that perfect skin is still the beauty standard. It’s exhausting. That’s where acne neutrality comes in: a mindset that shifts the focus from chasing perfection to finding balance and progress in your skin journey. Instead of idolizing “clear at all costs” or forcing constant self-love, acne neutrality creates space for something more realistic: acceptance and action. It’s about acknowledging that skin can have texture, spots, or redness and still be healthy. And it’s about protecting your mental health and acne by loosening the grip that social media’s highlight reels have on your self-worth.