SZA Opens Up About Dealing with Her Cystic Acne

The singer knows how challenging it can be to find a skincare routine that REALLY works.

Sometimes it can feel like our favorite stars were just born with perfect, glowing skin. After all, when we see them hit the red carpet, or the stage, they exude natural radiance. But of course, celebs go through breakouts and uncomfortable skin struggles too In fact, singer SZA has just shared that she has long suffered from cystic acne, and it took her quite some time to find products that didn’t make her skin feel even worse. AND she even worked at the beauty guru’s dream store before she was famous: Sephora!

“I used to work in the skin-care department [at Sephora], so I know for a fact that everyone’s skin is different. Consistency and simplification is key,” SZA told Refinery29 in a new interview, explaining that her skin reacts poorly if she constantly tries out new products.

Finding the right skincare products that actually work for you can be a challenge, but SZA means it when she says she keeps it simple. Luckily, she’s passing on a little of her beauty routine wisdom to us.

“I have to choose products that I can find in nature. I have cystic acne, so I use a Manuka honey mask to combat it and hemp oil to smooth out the surface of my skin,” she shared. “I also use a Vitamin C serum and black soap, and that’s it. If I go to the dermatologist and get a peel, she prescribes me [something] after, but I don’t use it. My skin goes crazy, and I break out.”

But the star has some great advice if you’re in that in-between place when you’re just trying everything to can to get your skin to cooperate.

“Don’t get discouraged with your skin when it doesn’t do what you want it to do ,” she shared. “Give it some time. I’ve learned to just sit still and be in yourself. That’s the only way to get to know yourself.”

That’s fabulous advice no matter WHAT skin woes you’re facing.