Thuso Mbedu has opened up about the insecurities she had over her complexion.

Taking to Instagram, Thuso, who is a two time International Emmy Award nominee, shared a beautiful throwback picture of her 26-year-old self and the background story of a different kind.

“I came across this picture that was taken three years ago and the first thought that struck me was, ‘This was the first time I felt pretty in my skin/complexion’. That was the thought and then I thought, ‘oh snap. That’s deep. And sad. That’s deeply sad.’”

Thuso said when it hit her that it was only in that photoshoot that she began to feel beautiful.

The actress added that it wasn’t that she had make-up on that made her feel pretty, rather, it was the realisation that her dark skin never stood “in the way” of her beauty.

“It wasn’t even about the make-up because, as you can see, we went a little left with that. I just absolutely loved the brown of my skin that day. For the first time, I, too, could be perceived as pretty ‘despite’ how dark I was.”

The star went on to encourage other black, dark complexion girls to love the skin they are in.

“Twenty-six years is a long time to stop being awkward in your own skin just because you turned out a little darker than your sibling and so I hope that my younger followers will learn to love their own shade right now.”

Read Thuso’s full post below.