Skin Stories: Meet Lydia Finnegan

Skin Stories: Meet Lydia Finnegan

December 2021

5 Min read


Lounge
Lounge December 14, 2021

Do you suffer from eczema? If so, you’re not alone, Loungers.

According to eczema.org, 1 in 10 adults in the UK suffer from the condition. The condition can cause prolonged itchiness alongside red, cracked and inflamed skin which can often be painful to touch.

It’s no secret that we’re strong believers that beauty comes in many shapes and forms, whether you suffer from eczema or any other skin condition for that matter. Every freckle, every stretch mark - we love all of you. And we always will.

We caught up with the gorgeous, Lydia Finnegan, ‘aka’ Lyds, about her journey with eczema and how this has impacted her both physically and mentally over the years. Through Instagram, Lyds has shown an immense amount of courage and continues to inspire her followers (and us) every day. Lyds, we salute you! 

See what Lydia had to say when we caught up with her below.

Lounge Underwear: Skin Stories


HEY LYDIA! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING WITH US. HOW ARE YOU?

Hey, I am so excited to be talking with you. Thank you for having me!  

I’m doing great, thank you. I just managed to get away on a quick break to Spain, so I’m feeling very relaxed and refreshed. I’m much less impressed with the recent London weather, but that’s no surprise!
 

HOW HAS THE LAST YEAR TREATED YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING EXCITING PLANNED? 

The last year has been great for me. We are living through very uncertain times and amongst all the bad news with the pandemic, foreign affairs and climate concerns, I have managed to find solace in the little things. 

Slowing down, self-care and Lounging at home has really shown me the importance of health and happiness. It’s the little things that matter so much more. It has also given me time to really focus on what I am passionate about, including family, friends, female empowerment and surrounding myself with great energy and wonderful people. Lots of laughter, self-love and treating yourself is so important yet so often overlooked. 


 

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY WITH ECZEMA AND WHEN YOUR CONDITION REALLY STARTED TO IMPACT YOU PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.

I have always had troubled skin, whether it’s acne, eczema, rosacea or just general sensitivity. It takes constant work. 

My eczema journey started a few years ago when I was living and working in London and lots of things changed in my life causing my stress levels to increase. It slowly started getting worse until around 2016 when it spiralled out of control. I wasn’t sleeping and every part of my body was covered in a red raw, itchy, flaky, bleeding, blistered hell and I mean every part.  

Eczema hit me like a tonne of bricks, I had never suffered like this before. I was blaming everyone for everything. I was in and out of dermatology clinics for more blood tests for allergies - turns out I have an allergy to dust mites. I had infected skin which was burned from light therapy and my mental health plummeted. 

I spent a long time working with a dermatologist and psychologist and looked into my diet, lifestyle, relationship, mental health and skin care and over the course of a year, I managed to totally transform my skin. Holistic wellness is so important and now, I’ve realised the link between stress and skin and how much our gut health controls our overall health. I’ll never let myself get like that again.  


 

IT’S GREAT TO SEE YOU BEING SO HONEST ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY ONLINE. THAT MUST TAKE A DIFFERENT KIND OF COURAGE AND STRENGTH.

It definitely takes courage. I thought when I shared my eczema story lots of people would unfollow me and think it was weird. Instead, thousands of people reached out thanking me for showing vulnerability and even shared their own stories with me. 

I found I had close friends who also suffered from eczema and we had never even spoken about it because we didn’t know the other was suffering. 

I think people naturally align to vulnerability and sometimes it’s easier to speak to a stranger than someone close to you. Now, anytime I show something vulnerable whether it’s my skin, a relationship or a bad day, I get so much engagement from people who feel the same and thank me for being honest. People don’t align with perfection, because it doesn’t exist. 

Sharing this aspect of my life has actually been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Having people who genuinely care (even though many are strangers) and know how I feel is so meaningful and important for my own mental health. People often thank me for helping them, but really, my audience has helped me more than they will know!


Lounge Underwear Meets Lydia Finnegan


HOW HAS YOUR SKIN JOURNEY IMPACTED YOUR LIFE AND WOULD YOU SAY YOU VIEW BEAUTY DIFFERENTLY NOW?

At one point, it was life limiting. I couldn’t move, sleep, wash, wear clothes, bend or straighten my arm properly. I couldn’t do the basics and it taught me how much we take for granted. I was physically in a bad way, but the impact on my mental health was incredibly difficult to cope with as well. 

I think beauty is a wonderful, but also difficult thing for many people to grasp. I have always believed that beauty is only skin deep and going through a severe skin condition and having people love me just the same, if not more, really taught me how wonderful human beings can be and how immaterial society’s version of beauty really is.  

In my view, nobody has perfect skin, perfect health, perfect happiness and perfect mental state 100% of the time. Everybody experiences insecurity, we all have bad days and vulnerability is a trait many of us share, I think there is power in knowing that.

Read more: Skin Stories: Meet Ariana Covarrubias.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE BY RAISING AWARENESS OF ECZEMA?

I really hope that I can be an inspiration for younger people, especially women, who feel like they are completely alone and have no way out of their skin condition.  

When I was suffering the most, I didn’t see anyone on social media who looked like I did, which is why I created my blog and social media profile. I want to teach people that you can be beautiful, successful, happy and still have a rash, a spot, a relationship turn sour or a bad day. None of that defines you or your worth and I feel so strongly that too many of us settle and treat ourselves in a way we don’t deserve. 

I always said if I could help one person heal their skin then I’d be happy. I think I have helped hundreds of women take control of their lives and their skin and put themselves first, and the results speak for themselves!

 

Inspiring? We think so!

It’s like Lyds said, perfection doesn’t exist. Find peace in loving you for you, just as we do!

Remember, Loungers, self love is always a priority, make sure to treat it like one. You deserve happiness in simply loving you.

We love you, now and forever.