Keke Palmer Got Real About Her Acne From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome— ‘You’re Not Alone’

Keke Palmer might be a star but she says she deals with stuff just like us.

The 27-year-old Hustlers star says that, like 10 percent of teens and young women across the country, she has polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS. The condition addition, which can affect a woman’s fertility, can also lead to various hormone-induced side effects, including acne. A side-effect which Palmer says she’s very familiarl

In a series of bare-faced selfies shared on Instagram, the actress revealed that PCOS is causing her to deal with acne.

Palmer revealed in her post that she realized that she had polycystic ovary syndrome after years of attempting to get rid of her acne she went to a doctor to get things under control.

“For some of you this may be TMI, but for me my platform has always been used for things much greater than me,” she said. “Polycystic [ovary] syndrome has been attacking me from the inside out my entire life and I had no idea.”

Palmer explained that she ahd “tried EVERYTHING” to control her acne but after two rounds of Accutane (one of the more intensive treatments for severe acne) and changing her diet she found herself at her wit’s end.

“It took ME taking a personal look into my family that has a history of diabetes and obesity, to understand what was ACTUALLY happening with me,” she explained. “And unfortunately doctors are people and if you don’t ‘look the part’ they may not think that’s your problem. They may not even suggest it if you ‘look healthy’ whatever that means!”

Palmer explained that she realized she might have PCOS after doing some research about the condition and eventually having a doctor confirm that she had the disorder. PCOS can cause enlarged ovaries and cysts, acne, excessive hair growth, and weight gain.

“This especially makes me sad because my family struggled for years and no doctor could help them, they actually mislead them and just took their money,” she revealed. “It’s only because of what my family sacrificed that allows me to even have the resources to share the information I’m sharing with you! Their fight out of poverty gave me a better life and I just want to share what I learn.”

Palmer explained that she wanted to share with fans “that it’s okay” to have acne.

“My skin has made me sad many nights but I do not give up on myself. I know this is not me and my body has been looking for help,” she revealed. “The least harmful thing PCOS can bring is acne. To all the people struggling with this please know you’re not alone and that you are still so f—ing fine! MY ACNE AINT NEVER STOPPED ME. But we don’t have accept this. Now I can really help KEKE! And I love her so it’s ON… Pray for me on this journey and I will pray for you too. I’m not afraid to show myself to the world and you shouldn’t be either.”