by Danita White
Despite finding fame and success at a young age, actress Keke Palmer has always been loved for her raw, real and open personality. Fans saw that side of her yet again when Palmer, 27, recently shared about her lifelong struggle with acne due to a symptom of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). According to Vogue, PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that has been with Palmer for years, but which she only recently received a diagnosis for.
In a post on Instagram, Palmer shared several makeup-free selfies alongside an empowering message about skin and health issues and how everyone has to deal with them differently. After trying to clear her skin up by trying a number of remedies – including Accutane twice – and being dismissed by health professionals because she looked healthy, Palmer took things into her own hands and began doing research into her family history to better understand what was actually happening with her.
While her skin made her sad many nights, Palmer refused to give up on herself, noting there is no one who can help us like we can help ourselves. “The least harmful thing PCOS can bring is acne,” Palmer said. “To all the people struggling with this please know you’re not alone and that you are still so f—— fine! MY ACNE AINT NEVER STOPPED ME. But we don’t have accept this. Now I can really help KEKE! And I love her so it’s ON.”
Palmer wrapped up by asking readers to pray for her on her journey and said she would be in prayer for them, as well. “I’m not afraid to show myself to the world and you shouldn’t be either,” she finished with a heart emoji.
Palmer’s transparency has inspired many of her fans to share similar stories of their own. And after some asked about the makeup she uses to cover her blemishes, the actress graciously shared her step-by-step routine for achieving a full coverage look. “I really encourage everybody watching this to do it your way,” Palmer told viewers in the video. “Everybody’s skin is different.”
An inspiring reminder from a star who’s always been in the spotlight that there’s nothing wrong with using beauty tools or enhancing your personal appearance, but it’s just as important to embrace yourself exactly the way God made you.