MadameNoire Featured Video

SZA

attends the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards – Arrivals at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

There may be no compliment a woman enjoys hearing more than “You’re skin is glowing!” For most of us, clear, luminescent skin isn’t just a sign of health, it’s also an indicator of happiness. But not everyone is so lucky to wake up blessed and blemish-free, and when you’re constantly battling breakouts it can take a toll on your self-image.

SZA knows the struggle. The singer has cystic acne and recently told Refinery 29, “Touring f-cked my skin up on a whole ‘nother level.” Luckily, SZA’s former job taught her a thing or two about taking care of unsightly blemishes.

“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,” the 27-year-old advised. “I can’t try a whole bunch of different sh-t that I’ve seen, like Huda Beauty doing six experiments in a week — imma look crazy. Her skin is invincible. I don’t have that gene pool, so I do what I know. Every now and again, if I see something really cool, I’ll be like, ‘let me try this little turmeric mask.'”

So what exactly is SZA’s go-to skincare routine? “I have this weird feeling that the apocalypse is upon us, so I have to choose products that I can find in nature,” she explained. “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. 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 shit after, but I don’t use it. My skin goes crazy, and I break out.”

The “Love Galore” singer also shared one last piece of advice that goes beyond skin tips and serves as a reminder that beauty is only skin deep (and you need to be patient when you’re trying to bring that beauty to the surface). “Don’t get discouraged with your skin when it doesn’t do what you want it to do and you feel like, f-ck this product,” she said. “Give it some time. Some of that sh-t takes a month to break through. And calm down and relax your face. I spent so much time screwing my face into mad different shapes because I was nervous to take a picture as is. I would make all these weird ass faces to where I wouldn’t even recognize myself. I’ve learned to just sit still and be in yourself. That’s the only way to get to know yourself.”

Comment Disclaimer: Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN