Sudocrem Uncovered

Acne

Francesa

I’ve lived with hormonal acne for about four years, ever since I came off birth control during lockdown. I did it to improve my mental health — and it worked — but my skin flared up. I had acne as a kid and always felt self-conscious, so when it came back, it was hard. But I chose my mental well-being over perfect skin, and that decision changed everything. 

We worry so much about how we look, but most people don’t notice the little things. What really matters is how we feel in ourselves – not how perfect our skin looks.

Eczema

Ava

I’ve had eczema since I was two. When I was younger, it would get so painful especially on my arms and legs, that I ended up missing a lot of school because of it, which was really hard. Now I’m older, it flares up on my face as well, and it really affects my confidence. It’s hard feeling like people notice my skin more than what I’m saying. When my skin is sore, red, and flaking, I don’t feel like myself. It takes a lot of confidence just to go outside and be around people. 
I feel most like myself when the redness settles. To anyone else struggling with their skin: you are strong, you are resilient, and you will get through this. 

Eczema

Anthony

My skin reacts to so many triggers — cold weather, alcohol in products, even stress. Because of my eczema, I always cover my arms and legs with clothing, even in summer.  
In my early 20s, something shifted. I realised life’s too short to constantly worry about what other people think. I started focusing less on how my skin looked, and more on how I felt. 
Over time, my mindset has become more confident. My goal now is simple — to feel comfortable in myself. I used to see my reflection and immediately wonder what others saw. Now, I’m learning to see me first — not my skin.

Eczema

Kat

I’ve had sensitive skin since childhood, and eczema for over 10 years, which worsened after having my daughter. It’s painful, especially since I love cooking and gardening, but certain ingredients trigger flare-ups. 

I feel most confident swimming in the sea — the saltwater helps soothe my skin. 

Now, I’m careful about what I eat and put on my skin, and it really makes a difference. I cover up when my eczema flares, as I feel self-conscious, but I’ve learned to accept it as part of me.  

Acne

Iqra

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 13, which caused hormonal acne on my back, chest, and face and growing up it made me feel insecure and excluded, always covering up. 
My confidence grew when I saw others going through the same thing, and I realised it wasn’t about what others thought — it was about me. The real shift came when I realised that people don’t care as much as I thought, and it was me holding myself back. 
If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be: No one cares. Learn to love and live with the skin you have. 

Eczema

Jasmine

When I was younger, I had eczema that started with flare-ups on my arms and as I’ve gotten older, the flare ups have spread to my face and neck, mainly due to stress. I’m a dancer so feeling confident when performing is really important, but flare ups can make feeling confident difficult.  
Now that my skin is improving, I’m taking things one step at a time and staying positive. Staying active helps clear my mind. It was hard, with flare-ups that made it tough to get out of bed and feeling self-conscious. But my friends and family kept me going. 

Acne

Melle 

My acne started when I was 13, and over the years I’ve tried everything — natural products, diet changes, influencer routines — but nothing really stuck. I blamed hormones and used to rely on makeup, often hiding behind a wide-brimmed hat in the Caribbean heat, 
Eventually, I accepted that my skin might not change quickly, and that’s okay. What really helped was learning that how I see myself shapes everything. The best advice I got? Be patient and stop telling yourself that you’re ugly. 

Eczema

Maria

I’ve had eczema since I was a child. Growing up, my skin made me feel different and isolated — I remember children at primary school not wanting to play with me because of my skin and parents expressing concerns that I had a contagious disease. It really shaped how I saw myself, leaving me feeling deeply self-conscious and convinced no one would ever find me attractive.  
Only recently have I started trying to embrace my appearance – now, I love dressing in sequins and bright colours to draw attention, not hide away from it! Social media has helped connect me with a community that finally made me feel seen, and it’s really powerful shifting the narrative to celebrate skin as a beautiful organ that is just doing its best. 

Acne

Lexi

I’ve had adult acne since I was 19, and it’s been a tough seven-year journey. At its worst, I avoided going out, stopped meeting up with friends, and felt like I’d completely lost who I was. It was hard to see past my skin and I often felt isolated in my struggle. 
Rebuilding my confidence has taken time but sharing my story online has helped me realise I’m not alone. Connecting with others who understand has made such a difference. I still have days where I struggle to embrace my natural skin, but I’ve started to see that beauty lies in imperfection. We’re not meant to be perfect — everything is unique, and that’s what makes it beautiful. 

Acne

Oliver

My skin issues started when I started getting acne at 13 — I woke up one day and my face was covered in spots. Since then, I’ve dealt with acne and redness, not really knowing what to do or where to turn. 
As a performer, it’s hard when your face is constantly in the spotlight. I’ve had to deal with stares and judgement, and while some days I handle it well, other days it’s tough to keep up a front. 
But I’ve learned not to let my skin define me. It’s about pushing through and not letting a condition hold me back from doing what I love.