If 2020 has proven anything, it’s that some experiences are universal—and that extends to skincare. In a hyper-relatable moment, Elle Fanning posted a series of three selfies to Instagram on Monday, each focused on her seemingly blush-dusted lids. Fanning captioned the share with this clarifier: “Eczema but make it eye shadow,” the vibe brightened by a goofy-faced emoji.
With her peroxide blonde raked into a half-up ponytail and a set of thin gold hoops, scrollers would be forgiven for mistaking the look as a mere makeup moment. But a quick scan through the comments proved that the honest nature of Fanning’s skin-centric snap ran a bit deeper for those dealing with similar conditions. “I feel seen,” wrote actress Rachel Brosnahan, while stylist Karla Welch noted that her melasma doubles as blush.
According to Singapore’s National Skin Centre, at least one in 10 adults suffer from eczema. With the number of people diagnosed increasing daily, the figures seem staggering given the parade of filtered and flawless skin seen on social media and beyond. For Fanning, whose seemingly flawless complexion and scatter of freckles is something of a calling card, pulling casual, candid attention to this common condition is particularly powerful—not for the stakes, but for the entirely accessible approach. We’re only human, after all.
This article was originally appeared in Vogue.com.
