Providing support and promoting respect for everyone with a visible difference

Support line: 0300 012 0275Donate

Anthony Lexa: “Beauty isn’t skin deep.”

Anthony Lexa, best known for playing Abbi on Sex Education, opens up about her journey with Topical Steroid Withdrawal. Inspired by her healing, she’s launched a merchandise line, with proceeds supporting Changing Faces.


I’m Anthony Lexa, though you might know me as Abbi from the Netflix show Sex Education. I’m a transgender actress and singer-songwriter from Devon. I have chronic eczema and ichthyosis vulgaris which has evolved into a condition called Topical Steroid Withdrawal, or ‘Red Skin Syndrome’. It’s a developed dependence on topical steroid treatments and is more common than most people realise. Symptoms include redness, flaking, and oozing of the skin, hair loss, facial swelling and insomnia. Alongside these physical challenges, there’s been a profound disruption to my reflection in the mirror, which has deeply affected my sense of self. Living with this condition can be debilitating, and earlier this year I was forced to move back in with my parents as a result of the severity of my symptoms.

I decided to launch some t-shirts and hoodies with the tagline “beauty isn’t skin deep”, to raise money as a way of thanks to Changing Faces and giving back to a community that’s given me so much.

Battling both visible scars and the constant reality of gender dysphoria is a challenge that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But as  I push through, I find strength I never knew I had and have  learnt to find beauty in the smallest things, such as a pretty hair bow, or a new flower in my rose bush.

Changing Faces has been a lifeline for me. Their counselling support has helped me navigate the emotional and social challenges that come with my condition. It’s given me the strength to face the world with pride, even when I wasn’t sure if I could.

Music has also been a huge boost. My new single, ‘Terrified’, celebrates the positive sides of healing and self-care and one line from the song particularly stands out: Beauty isn’t skin deep. It resonated so strongly with me that I decided to launch some t-shirts and hoodies with this tagline, to raise money as a way of thanks to Changing Faces and giving back to a community that’s given me so much. I’d also like it to inspire others to find beauty in their own stories, no matter what their skin or visible differences look like.

Wear your support: Anthony's Limited-Edition T-Shirt for Changing Faces

Anthony Lexa has collaborated with sustainable fashion brand Teemill to launch a powerful new clothing collection to support Changing Faces.

Shop Now

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be in the performing arts. Writing music and getting on stage comes as naturally to me as breathing. 

 But as I grew older, I became painfully aware of my visible difference. I’ve had eczema since I was a baby. It comes and goes, flaring up when I least expect it. Growing up, I became accustomed to hiding my chapped lips behind my shoulder as I walked through school, or pulling my sleeves down long enough to cover the cracks on my hand. I began to feel that performing was an inaccessible dream for someone like me. I spiralled into desperation, trying every cream, supplement, and treatment I could find, all in vain. 

Anthony views her skin journey as a visible representation of her resilience.

Growing up transgender made matters even more complicated. I longed to express myself through makeup, feminine clothing, and long hair—hoping my reflection would one day align with my true identity. The experience of playing Abbi in Sex Education was euphoric for this reason. I managed to maintain my symptoms with steroid treatments and I was dressed up in the most colourful and affirming clothes, make up and hair styles, my heart singing as I lived out my childhood dream. My current condition has taken this away from me.

I receive comments on my posts like “What is that?” or “ew” and it makes me want to be even more visible. I’ve made it. I can sing from the top of my lungs, I can say that I played the first trans feminine character on Netflix’s Sex Education,  and I’m supported by an incredible, loving community, no matter the appearance of my skin. Every day, I conquer pain, and that’s where true beauty lies—there’s no other definition that matters.

I am denied enough joy due to the pain of my symptoms, so I now refuse to dismiss more of life’s gifts by staying inside and hiding myself away like I used to.

If you’re struggling with your own visible difference, remember that strength holds more value than superficial attraction. This mindset has helped me find a genuine, supportive community and family and friends who’ve allowed me to lean on them during difficult days.

I’ve connected with skin warriors, advocates for visible differences, and members of the LGBTQ+ community who have reminded me of my beauty, especially on the days when I struggle to see it myself. 

I refuse to dismiss life’s gifts by staying inside and hiding myself away like I used to. It may be a while before I can return to acting or the music industry, but I now understand that my purpose is to spread love and demonstrate the fact that beauty isn’t skin deep. I don’t want to cover up my redness anymore, I embrace my flaking skin as it’s just a representation of healing. 

To anyone facing similar struggles, I want to remind you: every difficult day you face, every negative comment you endure, will make it a little easier next time. Stay strong, stay visible, and always remember: you are beautiful. 

View the Changing Faces, Anthony Lexa and Teemill collection

You might also like