I remember having a bad break out during my late 30s. It was the worst years of my life. I never broke out as a teenager.

As I have been the center of ridicule and "chizmis" being "tander na pini pimples pa". I sought advice of a dermatologist and she prescribed me a lot of oral medicines plus topical ointment to put on morning before I go to work, and evening before I sleep at night. My dermatologist diagnosed it as Adult Acne.

It was difficult during the "purging" moment. Because my face bled profusely. I was even called a "zombie" during my commuting going to work.It was that bad and believe it or not. I never go out on weekends except for groceries with my kids. I aways cancelled pIans. And I always wear my sunglasses, even at night.

I was on a sick leave every month and even used my vacation leaves as my SL maxed out. I thought it would never end. But thank God after 2 difficult years, I won and never had a pimple ever since. Knock on wood hahaha.

I guess the big factor attributed to, if youre having a "sumpa" or pimples attact. Is that you are over stressed about something. You cant sleep at night. You indulge yourself with too much junk food or worst youre bad with hygiene. I suggests you to seek consultation first before trying on medicines. Do not self medicate and pick your pimples.

Last week, I had an opportunity to meet the 4 women behind "Maxipeel's TVC. Wag Mong Isuko ang Laban”. (Don’t Give Up the Fight).

They were on their Day 21 using Maxipeel's product under the dermatologist supervision. There was a big smile on their faces as it showed some improvement. It was slowly clearing up. They told that they were called names like "panget", "tigidig", "matandang dalaga" and statements like "mukang walang pag asa", and "di na makakapag asawa", "mga OA". They were hurt by those.

They were thankful that Maxipeel picked them up and began their transformation. As they are on their way to achieve smooth and pimple-free face on their 60-day journey.

Maxi-Peel puts their brand on the line with a documentary campaign that follows 4 women from different walks of life in a 60-day journey with Maxi-Peel Exfoliant Solutions, capturing real progress, with real results in real time. The campaign begins with a heart-wrenching 60-second testimonial video of these 4 women telling everyone what society tells them every day.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Y2RbkvDD4)

“Alam mo Kata, mas maganda ka sana kung kasing kinis ng legs mo yung mukha mo.”Kata San Mateo, a digital marketing head and an aspiring artist, recalls a painful moment during her acne breakout.

Teary-eyed,she continues, “Siyempre tatawa-tawa lang ako pero sa loob loob ko, sobra na.” “Bakit siya ‘yung napiling host, eh ang dami niyang pimples?”Andrea Roces, a retail manager and an active humanitarian says pimples have affected her work and her credibility, damaging her self-esteem and self-belief, “The confidence I’ve built for many years, it all goes away.”

“Honestly, lately hindi ako lumalabas ng bahay. There’s this misconception na ‘pag ma-pimple ka, madumi ka kaya sometimes I feel hopeless.”A former special education teacher, now a full-time mom, Angeline Carandang powers through the negativity, despite an overwhelming feeling of insecurity, “Behind this face, I can be a great mom… matatapos din ‘to, ngayon lang ‘to.”

“Nakulam ka ba… Naagnas ka na”Joepy Libo-on, a cum laude graduate who is now working as a marketing manager, still remembers some of the most painful things people have told her. “Before n’ung sobrang lala talaga ng pimples ko, there was a time na sobrang bumaba ng self-esteem ko.”

Through real stories from real people, Maxi-Peel aims to open our eyes and minds to the truth behind acne. That removing pimples is not just about being beautiful, or achieving smoother skin, or to gain more followers, those are just the aesthetic effects. The real purpose of the brand is to help Filipinos treat and cure an actual skin condition, boost their self-confidence, revive their self-belief, and empower them to have a fighting chance against prejudice and discrimination.

This fight isn’t just about the face, this fight is about facing challenges head on, and acknowledging that it’s only just a phase. Never quitting, never stopping. To all Filipino women out there who have lost their confidence, hope is not lost. You can get past this, in your fight against acne and all its inherent negativity, “Wag Mong Isuko Ang Laban”.