As much as we'd like to think we're above it, our looks really are important to us. And that goes for everyone, not just women.
And ladies, caring about your appearance — whatever that means to you — does not make you vain or shallow, no matter what anyone has tried to tell you.
Most people think about weight and body shape as the big appearance worries, but there's another one that can cause just as much, if not more, anxiety and shame: acne.
It can range from an occasional spot to a hormone- or stress-related breakout, but sometimes, it can take a more severe form and result in large, painful cysts on the face.
And it's not just teens who have to deal with this. Adult acne is very common and affects millions of people.
One of those people was 23-year-old Brian Turner, a bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast who gained a sizable YouTube following discussing fitness, health, and diet topics.
But he was also struggling with severe acne the whole time. Not only was it painful, but it didn't exactly do wonders for his self-esteem.
Gradually, though, he started making changes in his life. Some were small and some were large, and he began to see his skin clearing up.
Over the course of three years, his skin cleared up entirely, and the angry red welts are a thing of the past today.
So how did he do it? Well, he's more than willing to share his secrets. His methods might seem on the extreme side, but for very sensitive, breakout-prone skin like Turner's, extreme is the way to go to get clear skin.
Check it out below, especially if you struggle with acne.
[H/T: Daily Mail]
Brian Turner is all about health and fitness.
But even while working out and getting in shape, he battled with severe acne that was uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and even occasionally earned him a mean remark online.
He didn't let it get him down, though. Instead, he started making tweaks to his daily habits and, over the next three years, saw his skin clear up amazingly well.
Today, those red welts are a thing of the past, and Turner is more than happy to share his clear skin secrets with his fans.
You'll notice he's also rocking a pink hairdo in this photo — it was for breast cancer awareness back in October!
So what's his secret, anyway?
The first change was diet.
Turner is a vegan, and he eats 12 servings of vegetables a day.
He prepares them in various ways, but it's all vegetables that makes for a super clean diet.
He is very serious about vegetables.
Very serious.
He also increased his water intake to a gallon a day, and completely cut out soft drinks, juice, and alcohol.
Turner has also given up a number of foods that aggravate his skin, like dairy, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and cocoa.
He's cut down on gluten, soy, and fats where possible.
Of course, that doesn't mean Turner goes without good tasting food. This creamy chowder is potato-based.
Naturally, everyone reacts differently to foods, so this is just what worked for him: another body will have different results.
He also changed his sheets and pillowcases every night so he wouldn't come in contact with any sweat or oils from the night before, and he was sure to shower any time he got even a little sweaty. And being a bodybuilder, that was often.
Eventually, Turner's skin cleared up enough to have the scarring from old blemishes reduced, leaving his skin smooth and fresh.
And it's really quite a transformation.
It might look magical, but it was actually due to dedication on Turner's part, who really made an effort to stick by the changes he'd made.
Other tips include not touching your face to avoid transferring gunk from your hands, and being sure to get at least seven or eight hours of sleep each night, as lack of sleep can result in stressed out skin.
And if all else fails, see a dermatologist who can recommend other treatments.
Making a lifestyle choice is never easy, but Turner shows us that when you stick to it, the results can be stunning.
Watch the video below to learn more about Turner's journey, and the tips and tricks he used to get his skin healthy and clear.
