

Keke Palmer Gets Real About ‘Feeling Completely Insecure’ About Her Acne
My relationship with my skin may possibly be the most high-maintenance one in my life.
No matter how much money I spend, how many hours I put in, or how many methods I try, my face refuses to reciprocate the love and energy that I give it every day. Between my peek-a-boo eczema and frequent breakouts, it's clear that my skin isn't always my friend. Keke Palmer can totally relate to those of us in the sensitive skin struggle.
For the past few months, Keke has been booked, busy, and in her bag, but last week in a candid Instagram post, the talk show host revealed that money doesn't make you immune to having bad days. Keke, who began her battle with acne as an adolescent, wrote:
"This is a happy picture of me and my loved ones. I'm trying to channel the energy I had in this photo because I woke up this morning in the worst spirit you guys, all because of my skin... It's like you can try everything (which I have) and still nothing works. Every time I think my skin is on the up and up I turn around and I'm broken out even worse than before. Scarred up and wondering which products I have to throw out if not ALL."
Same, sis. Same.
We can always count on Keke to be the relatable queen we didn't know we needed, and this post on Instagram was no exception. We all know how it feels when we don't feel our best self, which eventually makes us grumpy, which eventually makes your loved ones try to make you feel better. But the thing is, nobody can make you feel anything. You gotta do that on your own (and in your own time), playa. Keke explained:
"Feeling completely insecure which in turn makes you irritable and just self-conscious for the smallest reasons. I just thought to share because I know I'm not alone and people always try to cheer you up or say you look beautiful which makes it worse because that's not how YOU FEEL. Then you feel bad about feeling bad smh. But, I think it's okay to feel those things and to let yourself be for a minute. I'm only human and every day I'm gonna roll with the punches but some days I will get the air knocked out of me. Gonna keep going though! Cause that's how I was built."
In layman's terms, sis had a moment, but she's back now. Along with seeing an aesthetician and facialist regularly, Keke says that charcoal masks do a good job of getting her acne under control when it wants to play. In a previous interview, Keke said that while face-steaming may be a skincare hack she highly recommends, understanding that you have control over how you feel is the best weapon you have against the acne formed against you:
"Now, I do whatever it takes to make myself feel better, whether that means not wearing any makeup, not hiding my acne scars, or changing my hair. Realizing that I have power over myself and my confidence felt like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders."
If you're struggling with finding a skincare routine your face loves, check out these cult favorites that are made especially for people with acne-prone skin!
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Featured image by Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
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The CROWN Awards - A Celebration of Natural Black Hair & the Women Who Champion Our Crowns
This article is in partnership with Dove.
Happy CROWN Day, xO family! July 3 marked National CROWN Day, commemorating the signing of the first CROWN Act in 2019 in California. The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) Act legislation outlaws race-based hair discrimination in workplaces and K-12 public and charter schools in the US. The CROWN Act or legislation inspired by the CROWN Act is now law in 23 states. On CROWN Day and beyond, we celebrate a cross-generational movement that is inspiring and empowering Black women to embrace their natural hair without judgment or fear while legislative strategists and policy makers work in parallel to ensure Black people have the right to wear their hair in natural and protective styles.
xO was on the scene at the third annual CROWN Awards on Sunday, July 2, in New Orleans at The Westin, hosted by Tai Beauchamp, presented by Dove. The energy in the room was spirited, warm and #CROWNProud, as Black people across industries gathered to honor and celebrate a few of those who positively contribute to the CROWN movement.
Natural hair is an intimate journey for Black women and true to that experience, attendees and honorees spoke of how their natural hair journeys paralleled life journeys, recalling major moments of growth in tandem with big chops, going natural & passing down hair pride to the next generation.
CEO of ESSENCE, Caroline Wanga, accepted the CROWN VanguardAward and gave the kind of speech you had to be there for, sharing that she makes decisions based on “how it affects the 7th generation after her”. Wanga brought beauty, strength and light to the room, detailing her commitment to creating space for Black women & girls, and the power of representation in hair & media for future generations [with her niece alongside her on stage].
Renowned hair stylist and artist, Camille Friend, accepted the CROWN LegacyAward, with a heartfelt congratulatory message from colleague and award-winning costume designer Ruth Carter. Friend has been in cinema for 20+ years, serving as the department head for hair across Black Panther, Wakanda Forever, Dreamgirls and most recently creating the loc style for Halle Bailey’s role in Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Content creator and award winner of the CROWN Reel Impact Award, Lynae Vanee, gave a beautiful acceptance speech about learning to love her differences & the CROWN community providing a much-needed sense of belonging for Black women to proudly stand out. Quvenzhane Wallis also accepted the Young CROWN Award, widely recognized for her roles in Beasts of The Southern Wild, Swagger & more.
Actress & entrepreneur Eva Marcille attended & shared her support for the CROWN movement, noting that although it’s a newer movement, it’s the one we’ve always needed and deserved.
Esi Eggleston Bracey (President of Unilever’s Personal Care business in North America) also greeted guests and shared her immense gratitude for the honorees' contributions to the CROWN movement.
Additional award recipients and honorees included:
- MC Lyte - CROWN Icon Award
- Michelle Miller (CBS) - CROWN Ambassador Award
- Creative Soul Photography - CROWN Creators Award
- Quvenzhane Wallis - Young CROWN Award
- Brittney Griner - CROWN Sports Award
Additional attendees included: Michaela Angela Davis, Kym Whitley, Tabitha Brown, MAJOR, Derek Jae, and more
The CROWN Awards was an empowering & real celebration of natural hair, self-definition, and overcoming the projections that many place on what Black hair is and what Black hair should be. 150+ Black women attended, and the spectrum of hairstyles and hair goals was nothing short of phenomenal.
Ladies, whether you’re wearing locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, afros or a protective style—we encourage you to always stay #CROWNProud.
Take action and help support the CROWN movement here.