Belo Beautiful Stories: Celeste Cortesi’s Journey from Breakouts to Clear Skin

Being a beauty queen means constantly being in the spotlight, but even the most glamorous faces have their struggles. Celeste Cortesi gets candid about her battle with acne, proving that imperfections are part of every journey to self-confidence.

After representing the Philippines at Miss Universe 2022 in New Orleans, the now 27-year-old recalls how the pressures of competing for the ultimate crown took a toll on her skin.

“I never had acne problems before. It was very new for me, I was going through a lot of changes and stress. I remember the day after the coronation night of Miss Universe, I woke up with breakouts all over my forehead. It was really bad. Since I hadn’t experienced it before, I panicked right away.” she shares.

Miles away in the U.S., Celeste immediately reached out to  Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho Jr. or advice. “I was in the States, completely unsure of what to do.”

Embracing Imperfection

Walking with a sash across her slender body (she recently admitted to doing 360° Liposuction in preparation for the competition!) Celeste knew what grace under pressure was like, especially with a pageantry obsessed country like the Philippines. 

Walking on stage with grace and poise is second nature to Celeste, but experiencing an unexpected acne breakout challenged her confidence. “That was a very challenging moment for me honestly,” she shares.  “People tend to see public figures as idols, they’re perfect, but it’s not like that. My acne really put down my confidence as well. “

“For me it was very important to also show that I’m not perfect, that I have imperfections. You can always be able to work and improve it – for that case, my skin.” 

Skincare Journey with Belo

Once back in the Philippines, Celeste committed to her Belo skincare regimen.  She started with weekly for Glycopeel Cleaning treatments in between events and engagements. As her acne slowly improved, she got started with ADVALight laser treatments, as recommended by her physician, Dr. Rodnie Valerio. This painless yellow laser addresses overactive oil glands, acne and scars.

“I think in a span of a month or a month and a half, my skin was already, like, perfect. It was already super clear. If it wasn’t for Belo, I don’t think I would have been able to resolve this kind of problem. It was really vital for me to be able to come to Belo and resolve all my issues.”

With her acne behind her, Celeste wants to inspire others to embrace their journeys. “Nobody’s perfect. It’s normal to have acne. You shouldn’t be ashamed of it,” Celeste shares. The key is to seek expert advice. “We only have one face, one skin. As long as you always talk to experts, your doctor, they can suggest the best treatments and improve your skin overall. “

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