Let’s face it. There’s unlearning to be done. And that’s ok. When we know better, we are supposed to do better. So in that vein of unlearning and relearning, we’ve decided to let go of our use of the term “normal skin.” Words have impact, so we’re watching ours.

The truth we can see clearly now is that all skin is Normal. We’ve seen that message being amplified across social media platforms. We’ve been paying attention. We’ve been observing. We’ve been listening. We’ve been asking. And what we’ve concluded is that most folks don’t feel comfortable with the term “normal skin” and “skin type.” Especially because “norma”l skin is the standard by which all other “skin types” are measured, and I think we all know that “skin type” is not fixed. How the skin responds changes based on what’s happening internally or externally (inside and out) at different stages in our lives. ie. pregnancy, aging, sun exposure, etc.

Acne, pimples, rosacea, psoriasis, etc, are not abnormal. They are symptoms of a deeper concern. Excess oil/oily is a symptom. Combination/oily is a symptom. Dry is a symptom, sun spots are symptoms. You get the point. In this society however, we’re been taught to see these symptoms as hideous and abnormal. Sadly, what most don’t realize, is that it’s normal for the body to communicate via symptoms.

Think about a headache. It’s painful. But it alerts us that there’s something else at work that warrants our attention. The headache may be due to excessive stress, lack of sleep or eye strain or something else. The same can be said for the skin. Acne, eczema, rosacea are all symptoms/signs that there is something else in the body that needs attention. It could be a result of pollutants, hormones, stress, inflammation in the gut or other.

The fact that our bodies are so intuitive is a blessing. What’s abnormal is ignoring the signs or symptoms presented to us. We’re not saying that the symptoms aren’t painful. We understand that they are. The body is simply waiting for a response, and how and when we respond is entirely up to us. Bottom line? It’s normal for body parts to communicate with one another. All we need to do is pay attention and take appropriate action.

We are watching our words because they have impact. As we continue to unlearn and relearn. We promise you, we will always do better.