My Eczema Story - Teen Blog

Our teen blogs are written by teens and tweens for their fellow teen or tween.

I'm not gonna lie: I used to think having “bad skin” was just part of being a teenager. Like, acne and random dry patches were just normal, right? But when my arms and face started getting red, itchy, and weirdly painful after P.E. or a shower, I knew something was off.

Turns out, I have eczema.

At first, it was super annoying. It felt like no matter what I did, my skin hated me. I started wearing hoodies all the time, even when it was hot, just to hide it.

Here’s what actually helped (and what I wish someone had told me earlier):

1. Less Is More.
I was using sooo many products because TikTok said it would “fix” my skin. Nope. It just made it worse. Now I just moisturise, apply SPF and cleanse at night. That’s it.

2. Moisturiser = Life.
Like, real moisturiser. Not thin lotions. Thick dedicated moisturising cream. Twice a day, even if I’m tired.

3. Stress causes Skin Distress.
Before exams? Instant flare-up. When I’m relaxed? My skin is too. Kinda strange how that works. Now I understand this I worry less about my skin during my summer exams, I know its a phase and it will get better as soon as I break for rhe summer holidays.

4. Filters Lie.
Those flawless Instagram pics? They’re fake. Everyone’s skin has bumps, texture, scars. Real skin is awesome and my goal now is healthy skin that looks and feel goos. Not perfect skin that is unachievable.

5. So Much Scaremongering.

I found so many videos online of ‘experts’ preaching that my eczema was a result of poor gut health and eating the wrong things. I became so fixated on cutting out ‘bad’ food that I genuinely didn’t know what to eat; this only made my stress worse, which caused more flare-ups. My mum made me stop as she was worried I was going to develop an eating disorder as normal healthy foods were scaring me. She booked me an appointment with my GP and we talked through everything and made a sensible plan, which included being healthly with my skin and my food.

If you’re struggling with eczema, you're not gross or weird. You’re just human. 20% of all kids suffer with eczema. Get a skincare routine that actually supports your skin health — and ask for real expert help from your doctor or dermatologist. 

Your skin deserves love, not shame. 

#RealSkinRealTalk #SkinEsteem #eczema