What does it really mean to be affected by acne? It’s not just about the breakouts it brings, it’s the second-guessing, the cancelled plans, and the quiet pain of feeling unseen in your own skin. Acne can slowly wear down our confidence, change how we see ourselves, and become a burden we carry long after the inflammation fades.
In times like these, nothing is more inspirational than true stories, not just the polished before-and-after pictures, but the honest, messy, human experience in between. For this acne awareness month, we’re sharing three stories from women who found their own path to healing, not through perfection, but through care, patience, and self-acceptance.
Shakira’s Story — Learning to Love Her Skin
When Acne Steals Confidence
Shakira was still in high school when she first walked into GC Skin Boutique. Beneath the pain of her cystic acne was a deeper burden—low self-esteem quietly controlling how she showed up in the world. Like so many teenage girls her age, her acne wasn't only a skin issue. It was a force that she felt separated her from the person she wanted to be.
As a student, Shakira couldn't afford to continue in-clinic treatments. What she did find with Gabrielle, though, was something equally as potent: someone who noticed her, understood her, and was willing to assist her in rewriting the narrative she'd been living with herself about her skin.
Unlearning Harsh Habits
Shakira initially did what many of us do — she attempted to battle her acne into submission. Foaming cleansers, drying toners, whatever claimed "quick results." Which is why when Gabrielle suggested a gentle milk cleanser to Shakira, she was sceptical. To her, "gentle" didn't seem potent enough to repair her skin.
Gabrielle, however, trusting in the power of simplicity and science, promised her a full refund if it didn't work. That gesture built trust, and Shakira chose to attempt a different approach based not on control but on care.
The Power of Gentle Care
As the weeks passed by, something began to change. Shakira noticed her breakouts starting to calm down; more importantly, so did her mindset. This allowed her to stop pushing her skin and begin nurturing it. Products such as the Iyvos Hydrating Milk Cleanser and Active B Serum found a home in her routine, not because they guaranteed miracles, but because they restored balance gently and steadily.
Moreover, her sister, who usually brought her to the appointments, was the first to notice the change, and not just in her skin but her smile too. Commenting “Shakira’s confidence come back”, and she was right.
Skin Healing, Self-Healing
Gabrielle still fondly remembers Shakira, not only because of how much she has grown as an individual, but also because of how much Shakira’s journey resembles her own teenage years. There is something really alluring about seeing someone retain their confidence, not by being perfect but by being themselves.
Looking back, Shakira reflects:
“My Skincare Journey has been a wild ride. I’ve struggled with hormonal acne since I was young, and for years it really impacted my confidence. Everything changed when I started working with Gabrielle and using Iyvos. I learned how to care for my skin from a place of self-love, not frustration, and that shift made all the difference. It’s been a journey of healing and growth, and while I still have my moments, I no longer let my skin define me.”
For us, this powerful story is a reminder that real skin care isn’t about achieving flawless results, but rather the quiet, brave act of showing up for yourself, day after day — and sometimes all it takes is the right knowledge, support, and routine to turn everything around.
Olivia’s Story — Rebuilding Confidence at 26
A Sudden Shift in Skin and Self-Esteem
In her mid-20s, Olivia never imagined she would have to face skin issues like cystic acne. When Olivia stopped taking the pill, her skin began to change overnight, painful breakouts appeared, along with a surge of insecurity that affected everything from her social life to her sense of self-esteem. She didn’t want to go back on her medication, thus beginning her journey to look for an alternative solution.
Adult acne usually feels like a betrayal, especially when you think you have left these struggles behind in your teenage years, which is why, for Olivia, the emotional toll was as overwhelming as the physical discomfort. Makeup quickly became her mask, outings felt stressful, and mirrors became something to avoid.
Rethinking Skin Care with Compassion
Rather than opting for another round of medication, Olivia made the decision to reconsider what she was applying to her skin. She started reading labels, checking out ingredients, and quietly questioning if the harsh, drying products that she was applying were possibly causing more harm than good.
It was at this point that she discovered Iyvos.
Drawn to our gentle, barrier-supportive approach, she slowly made the switch, starting with the Hydrating Milk Cleanser, then Active B Serum and Collagen Moisturiser. It was a world apart from the harsh actives she had previously used on her skin, but there was something about the minimalism and mindfulness of the range that appealed to her.
Healing, One Layer at a Time
“Since switching to Iyvos, my skin has finally started to calm,” Olivia shared. “Getting painful cystic acne at 26, especially after coming off the pill, was something I never expected, and honestly, it hit my confidence hard. I didn’t want to go back on medication, so I started looking at my skincare routine instead. Since switching to Iyvos, my skin has finally started to calm. The products are so gentle, they don’t leave my skin dry or irritated, which is rare for acne treatments. I love that Iyvos is made with sensitive, acne-prone skin in mind. I’m just so glad I found it when I did.”
Although the transformation wasn’t instant, it was meaningful. With her inflammation becoming soft, the cystic breakouts become fewer and farther between. Most importantly, it helped shift Olivia’s mindset. Skincare became a loving action, not a punishment.
Confidence from Within
As her skin calmed, so did Olivia. She no longer felt the compulsion to cover up with makeup or call off plans at the last minute. What was once a stressful skincare routine became a moment of peaceful centring in the morning and evening. She adopted Active A Serum into her routine as well, introducing it in the winter months for its gentle resurfacing effects. Coupled with Skin Quencher on dry days, it kept her in balance without veering into irritation.
For Olivia, recovery was more than skin-deep. It was about gaining confidence, not because her skin suddenly became perfect, but because she was finally giving it the care that it always deserved.
Natalie’s Story – Letting Go of Perfection
Hiding Behind Her Skin
For a long time, Natalie thought clear skin was necessary to be noticed. Breakouts embarrassed her, and her go-to response was always to cover up, hide out, or cancel plans. Acne was no longer simply a skin issue — it quickly became something she needed to apologise for. For Natalie, her mirror didn't just reflect inflammation — it reflected frustration, fatigue, and pressure to be perfect.
The Turning Point
The transition didn't occur overnight — it crept up after years of fighting her skin as if it were the enemy. One day, Natalie realised she was fed up with the routine. Fed up with beating her skin into submission with stripping products, with hoping for miracles overnight, and with needing to earn herself worth through flawless skin. That's when things started to shift.
Rather than going for another harsh cleanser, she treated her skin with something entirely new: Kindness.
Learning to Trust the Process
With encouragement and a soothing new routine, Natalie began to view her skin as something to nurture, rather than a fix-it situation. Soon her go-to products became the Active A Serum and BB Cream, which provided support without anxiety, tingling, or flaking, just consistent calm.
“I used to think I had to hide my skin, until I started being kind to it,” she shared. “I used to think I had to hide my skin, until I started being kind to it. Trusting the process with a skincare range like Iyvos made all the difference. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that healing takes consistency. You won’t see results overnight, and that’s okay. What I wish I knew earlier is this — acne doesn’t make you any less beautiful. And healing isn’t linear — some days your skin will break out and feel painful, and other days it’ll glow. You just have to keep going.”
Her words hold a powerful truth that many women need to hear — it's not just about skin but about rewriting how we talk to ourselves.
Redefining Beauty, One Day at a Time
Nowadays, Natalie no longer looks at skin as a reflection of worth. She still has good days and tough ones, but she shows up for both with the same elegance. Acne didn't go away overnight for her, but the shame surrounding it did. And that's the kind of recovery that counts most.
Natalie's story is a reminder for all of us that skin care is not about results — it's about the relationship we have with ourselves. It's not about perfection. It's about patience, compassion, and believing that beauty exists at every stage of our journey.
Real Skin Leads to Real Strength
These familiar stories remind us that healing takes time, but it is possible. With patience, knowledge, and kindness toward yourself, clearer skin becomes part of something bigger — confidence, self-esteem, and growth. Each person’s journey is unique, and every path deserves celebration. Visit Iyvos to discover more stories like these for inspiration, and if you feel ready, share yours — we are listening.
