In recent years, there has been a noticeable surge in society’s obsession with glowing skincare trends and perfect skin. With the rise of social media and influencer culture, beauty standards have become more prominent than ever, putting immense pressure on individuals to attain flawless skin.
The beauty industry capitalizes on this obsession, bombarding consumers with an array of skincare products and treatments promising to deliver the coveted perfect complexion.
Skincare Trends On Social Media
Social media platforms have played a pivotal role in shaping the skincare landscape. Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have become hotbeds for skincare influencers and beauty gurus who showcase their extensive routines, recommend products, and share their seemingly flawless complexions.
These influencers often have large followings, influencing their audience’s perception of what constitutes good skincare practices and the products they should use.
At the same time, these trends have democratized access to skincare information and encouraged conversations about self-care and skin health. People are now more aware of the importance of sun protection, regular cleansing, and hydration.
The glass skin trend, originating from South Korea, has gained popularity on social media and in the beauty industry—with variations such as glazed donut skin, dolphin skin, dewy dumpling skin, and mirror skin.
These iterations focus on achieving a smooth, luminous, and radiant complexion through techniques like adding subtle sheen, creating a wet and glossy effect, emphasizing hydration and plumpness, or enhancing light reflection.
Each iteration offers individuals the opportunity to experiment with skincare products and techniques to attain their desired level of luminosity, but it’s important to tailor the approach to individual skin types and maintain a consistent skincare routine.
The Mental Health Impact Of The Obsession With Perfect Skin
Standards of beauty and mental health are intricately related. The societal obsession with achieving perfect skin has profound implications for individuals’ mental health.
The relentless pressure to attain flawless complexions, perpetuated by social media, beauty standards, and the beauty industry, can result in feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and the linking of self-worth to appearance.
The pursuit of unattainable beauty ideals can contribute to anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia. Furthermore, the widespread use of filters and editing apps further undermines the development of a healthy self-image.
The Skin Positivity And Neutrality Movements
The skin positivity and neutrality movements have emerged as powerful counter-narratives challenging societal beauty standards and the obsession with glowing skincare trends. This promotes inclusivity and acceptance of diverse skin types and appearances.
The origins of these movements can be traced to the broader body positivity movement, which seeks to dismantle harmful beauty ideals and encourage individuals to embrace their bodies as they are.
These movements emphasize the idea that all skin types and conditions are valid and deserving of respect, regardless of factors such as color, texture, acne, scarring, or other perceived imperfections.
The skin positivity movement celebrates and normalizes stigmatized skin conditions, fostering community and self-acceptance by challenging beauty norms.
In contrast, the skin neutrality movement shifts the focus away from skin appearance, emphasizing self-worth beyond external beauty standards. Both movements promote inclusivity, challenge societal pressures, and have the potential to reshape beauty culture and improve mental well-being.
Tips To Develop A Healthy Approach To Skincare
While it is understandable to desire healthy skin, it is essential to develop a healthy and balanced approach to skincare. To avoid an obsession with glowing skincare trends and develop a healthy approach to skincare—educate yourself about your skin.
Try to embrace imperfections, prioritize quality products over quantity, simplify your routine, seek professional advice when needed, and remember to practice holistic self-care for overall well-being and skin health.
Most importantly, it is crucial to normalize your skin’s natural type and texture. Sweden-based skincare influencer and acne awareness advocate, Sofia Grahn, said in an interview with Vogue India: “I would love to see people with visible skin conditions represented and included in [social media] contexts that aren’t solely before-and-afters or portrayed as unhappy.
We need to make an effort to emphasize that skin comes in all textures, colors and conditions, and that it does not make or break you as a person, whether you’re able to live up to that or not. Once we decrease some of the conversations about the importance of skin looking a certain way, and include varieties of skin that differ from the clear-skinned norm, I think more people will be able to apply skin neutrality in their everyday lives.”
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