Elle Helps Us Put Skin Care In Perspective

I was flipping through the September issue of Elle magazine when I came across an article called Urge Overkill by Elizabeth Hayt. It's the touching story of the author's emotional journey towards learning how to stop screwing up her face by using way too many skin care products. It begins like this:

My face is revolting!” I cried out from the examining table the instant David Colbert, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City, stepped inside his treatment room one Monday afternoon back in March.

"I wouldn't say revolting," he replied, laughing lightly.

"In revolt!" I declared. "It's the Arab Spring of my skin." My complexion - once so clear, calm, and under control - was now in a rage.

The Arab Spring of her skin. Well, at least she's not blowing the situation out of proportion! It's perfectly reasonable to compare your skin problems to entire nations full of people struggling against oppressive regimes. I mean, we've all been there. Stubborn blackheads that take forever to clear up? Just like Muammar Gaddafi's extended refusal to bow to pressure and give up control of Libya. Broke a nail and can't get in for a manicure until next week? Totally reminds me of how Hosni Mubarak initially refused to step down before finally giving in after weeks of protests in Egypt. And just this morning when I successfully combed through my long, super thick hair, it immediately called to mind the Tunisian people's ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, which helped to set the Arab Spring in motion.

This is why we love women's magazines so very much. They're so down to Earth and relatable.