You don’t have to scroll too long to find information about skin, skin care, acids, and reviews of newly launched cosmetics. Social media has increased the reach of this type of product, but it may be hiding an important problem that experts have noted: the obsession with “perfect skin.”
Brazil is one of the countries with the highest consumption of products in the beauty and personal care market – Photo: Freepik/Reproduction/NDdigital skin care
The desire to “replicate” social media filters in real life has led to more and more people, especially young people, looking for “glowing” skin.
The problem is that self-care goes much further and creates a comparison between the image you see in the mirror and what digital influencers post online.
“Skin care has always been around, but the obsession with aesthetic treatments, the search for perfect skin and the hoarding of cosmetics is influenced by social media. Vanity is nothing new, ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians produced perfumes and created special baths. Today, vanity has become an obsession because social media forces us to compare our skin to other people’s. This is never a good thing,” explains journalist Niall Ferrari.
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An eco-friendly beauty expert, Niall has been speaking about natural and conscious beauty since 2010. For her, her skin care routine is directly linked to the environment.
“I believe that as an influencer and expert in pure beautyMy job is to communicate what I think about certain products and treatments, famous ‘reviews’, as well as informing about news and trends in the clean beauty market,” says Niall.
Trends such as “punching‘ And ‘leather on bikeFor example, despite their harmlessness, they can pose a danger if they are not supervised by a specialist.
Other habits that can be dangerous are homemade recipes using sugar, bicarbonate and even toothpaste that promise to improve skin texture and soften blemishes.
“Nothing replaces the evaluation and prescription of a dermatologist, just as individual experience with products does not replace the numerous studies and clinical trials that study and prove treatment results,” warns dermatologist Carla Zanardo.
Self-care and health
A good old cucumber on the eyes, candles and a glass of wine is part of the “ritual” accepted by many people, but this is only one side of the scale.
“Health and balance are closely related. Self-care is not only about skin care, it is also about taking care of your mental health, social life and building good relationships, going to therapy, exercising, getting quality sleep and regular check-ups,” the specialist defended.
Exercise helps improve mental and physical health – Photo: Freepik/Reproduction/ND“It’s part of an influencer’s job to show off their daily routine, and that naturally can include skincare. This has the positive side of encouraging this caring, but of course there is a risk that the follower will not notice the described effect, since we are different. Both parties have a responsibility in this exchange of information: those who post must be aware of their responsibility for influencing many people, and those who follow must know how to filter information,” explained Carla Zanardo.
Care x Obsession
The recent trend of filtering bold glamor It went viral on Tik Tok and many people started looking for fresh skin not for health but to look more like this digital skincare routine.
According to psychologist Johan Gask, filters are not 100% the villain, but the constant and unrestrained use of social networks itself may be one of the factors responsible for exacerbating other problems.
“Using a filter does not directly disrupt the image, but it can create an idea of an unreal appearance that does not correspond to what actually is. And the constant search for the desire to be something that you are not affects different areas of a person’s life,” he says.
Cosmetics market in Brazil
Between January and September 2022, the Personal Care, Fragrances and Cosmetics category recorded growth of approximately 13.5% year-on-year, according to data from ABIHPEC (Brazilian Association of Personal Care, Fragrance and Fragrance Industry). and cosmetics).
Brazil is one of the countries with the highest consumption of hygiene and personal care products. Photo: Freepik/Reproduction/NDDuring this period, revenue reached US$128 million, with products distributed in 117 countries, including the United States, Argentina and Colombia.
Mirror, my mirror: less is more
Experts say the secret to healthy skin is not the number of products, but a combination of cleansing and sun protection.
“It is entirely possible to have an efficient daily routine with fewer foods. Find an effective yet gentle facial cleanser, a moisturizer that suits your skin type, and a great protector, and you’ll already be doing a lot for your skin. Sunscreen is another important part of your daily routine as it simultaneously prevents blemishes, aging, burns and cancer,” comments influencer Niall Ferrari.
“I do not recommend products individually, nor should any content creator do so, as we are not dermatologists. I see more and more influencers taking this stance and I am absolutely shocked by the irresponsibility.”
The use of acids may be harmful to some people and should only be used as recommended by dermatologists. Photo: Freepik/Reproduction/ND.“With two products, we were able to meet the basic needs of the skin: soap and sunscreen. Makeup, pollution, dirt, dead cells. Various particles accumulate throughout the day, and if we don’t remove them, our skin becomes unbalanced, increasing the feeling of oily, dull skin, as well as accelerating aging,” says dermatologist Carla Zanardo.
Self-care tips:
- Invest in effective products: soaps, makeup removers, and sunscreen with an SPF above 50.
- Look for multifunctional products, such as moisturizing soaps, that will help optimize your skin care routine.
- Drink plenty of water, liquid also helps remove toxins from the body.
- Exercise and take care of your mental health.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
“It’s important that your skin care regimen is always tailored to your time and habits, but cleansing and photoprotection are non-negotiable,” Carla Zanardo, dermatologist.
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Source: Ndmais