Before

I immediately saw a dermatologist. I had every zit squashed with cortisol injections, and I started a regimen including prescription topicals and oral medicine . I expected it would take up to three months to see full results, but then something miraculous happened: In just two weeks out of my toxic relationship, I already started clearing up. Skin looked smoother and brighter. Breakouts flattened and paused.

The skin is our largest organ. When theres any sort of underlying struggle in your body, whether thats a medical problem or a psychological problem, that will often manifest on the skin.

The clear-up coincided with my efforts to lean more into self-love: I journaled, started training to run a marathon , spent more time with family and friends, and really took time to embrace joy and gratitude. While Im convinced the 180 in my skin was a response to feeling lighter and freer, the skeptic in me suspected it was just a coincidence. Was it possible that a more positive outlook helped quell my zits? Or, had I succumbed to woo-woo thinking in my vulnerability?

After

This article is part of Women's Health 2020 Acne Week. Click here for more.