Nikki Gil has been working nonstop since she joined show business in 2005.

Stardom came to her instantly after appearing in a soft drinks commercial, which paved the way for her entry to ABS-CBN via the weekly noontime program ASAP and the network's music channel MYX, where she became a regular VJ.

Trying her hand at acting, she appeared in Pangarap Na Bituin (2007) and played a small role in One More Chance (2007).

Pursuing her first passion, she has so far released three studio albums, the latest of which is Somebody To Love, which was released in 2010 under Polyeast Records.

While doing all these, Nikki was also an English Literature student at the Ateneo De Manila University, where she graduated in 2009.

Yes, she has been busy, but has always found time for "my skin, oh, my goodness!"

Nikki, who will star in the 9 Works Theatrical production of Sweet Charity starting this August, explains why she is very particular about her skin, especially her face.

She tells PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "I've always been very sensitive when it comes to my skin because I'm an acne victim."

Like many teenagers, her self-esteem took a beating when pimples and acne started attacking her face.

The host-singer relates, "I was a victim of adolescent acne and it traumatized me for life because it came back right when I was getting into TV."

And though she had already overcome such phase, the 23-year-old Kapamilya star is not letting her guard down.

"I had to suffer acne and heal from it in full public view. So, I'm really very anal when it comes to skin care," she says.

BEAUTY SECRETS. To combat pimples and acne, Nikki has a few tried and tested beauty routines to share.

First, "What I do is when it's a good day and my skin's cooperating, I don't put na foundation."

Where did she learn about this?