Model launches #FreeThePimple campaign to encourage people to share their acne photos

Ciara Sheppard
·Contributor Yahoo Style UK
Under the hashtag #FreeThePimple, Louisa Northcote wants to break taboos around acne. (Photo: Instagram/louisanorthcote)
Under the hashtag #FreeThePimple, Louisa Northcote wants to break taboos around acne. (Photo: Instagram/louisanorthcote)

Struggling with body image issues is one thing, but when the “problem” is right there on your face, it can be truly confidence-destroying.

That’s why Louisa Northcote, who has acne, started the #FreeThePimple movement.

The fashion-buying student and Britain’s Next Top Model finalist has struggled with acne for years and started the movement as an online community for helping people with the emotional and physical affects of acne.

By sharing unretouched photos of acne online, under the hashtag #FreeThePimple, Northcote wants to break taboos around acne.

“Body positivity is a powerful movement which has led to the industry-wide embrace of models of all different body types,” Northcote told i-D.

“It has seen an embrace of people with stretch marks, an embrace of female nipples, an embrace of seeing women with their periods, and now it’s time to embrace your skin, which is why I have created #freethepimple — a movement that I hope will empower others to embrace the skin they’re in.”

Since launching, people with acne far and wide have been sharing their unfiltered photos.

Skin update ? ? I posted this on my story but I wanted to post it here as well. My skin has been on a seemingly uphill journey for the past couple months. Not the most smooth journey, but still going uphill! 🧗🏻?♀? ? I have a lot of acne marks right now, but very few pimples. The ones I’ve been getting have been smaller and less inflamed. I’ve noticed my scars are fading as well with the weekly/bi-weekly chemical exfoliation I’ve been doing. ? I’ve been trying hard not to pick/pop anything that comes up on my face unless it’s a whitehead (which are safer to pop as long as it’s not red/painful/inflamed) that won’t go away. I’ve also been trying to be more gentle in general with the ways I apply my products. ? I feel really good about where my skin is right now. I feel optimistic that I’m heading in the right direction with all of the things I’ve been doing 😊 ? Thank you for all of your support and for following my journey 💕 ? Routine ? Cleanser: @oneloveorganics Easy Does It (with Vanicream’s Gentle Cleanser as a makeup remover first at night). Toner: @pixibeauty Rose Tonic morning and night. A few times a week (at night) I use the Glow Tonic first, and use the Rose Tonic on top as an essence. Serum: @madhippieskinproducts Vitamin C Serum on alternating days that I use the Glow Tonic or in the morning. I basically just never use it at the same time I use exfoliating products. Moisturizer: @auracacia Rosehip oil. One-two pumps is all I need. Rubbed between hands and pressed gently into the skin. This has helped a ton with my skins hydration and hyper-pigmentation. Does not clog my pores. Sunscreen: @drunkelephant Umbra Sheer (Zinc Oxide 20%). Been testing it out for a while and so far I like it! Stay tuned for a more in depth review! ??? #skincareblogger #acne #acnejourney #skincare #adultacne #freethepimple #acneawarenessmonth #beautyblogger #crueltyfree #update #routine #nofilter #iwokeuplikethis #real #bareitall #lovetheskinyourein #drunkelephant #pixibypetra #madhippie

A post shared by Rachel Spring (@spriiingtime) on Jun 17, 2018 at 6:41pm PDT

Northcote is currently undergoing chemical peel sessions and laser sessions to reduce the appearance of her acne.

There’s lots of advice out there about how to treat acne, but above all remember to love yourself.

Speaking about her growing movement, she wrote: “When I first decided to put a makeup-free selfie exposing my acne and talking about it on social media and using the #freethepimple never did I think this would happen.”

Northcote continued: “Thank u to everyone for ur love and support and to all the people who message me on the daily and for all the other acne sufferers out there. If I can be a voice for us all that makes me so happy.”

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