Advertisements and social networks show an unattainable ideal of skin. Make-up, filters, photo retouching, everything is done to show no flaws. A way of working that gives the illusion that perfect skin exists. A study by Treatwell examines this problem and how European women (and therefore French women) perceive their skin, as well as the impact that social networks have on their image.
You’ve probably already complained about the quality of your skin before someone nearby reassures you that no, you don’t have that many pimples, wrinkles, or redness. She is undoubtedly right because social networks often give us a distorted image of ourselves, and of our skin. Influencers appear on Instagram and Snapchat with supposedly perfect skins, which can often create complexes in people watching their posts and videos, whether they are younger or older. Thus, they absolutely want to have perfect skin. But does perfect skin really exist? According to a study by Treatwell carried out between May 27 and May 30, 2021, among 1,740 European women, 55% of French women find that they regularly have skin imperfections and only one in three women is comfortable with it. skin. Results that worsen sharply in 18-30 year olds where only 1 in 5 women say they are comfortable with their skin.
A significant impact of social networks
Young women and men are influenced by the images they see on social media. Whether as simple consumers of these networks or as actors. Indeed, this study reveals that 13% of French women have the impression that the condition of their skin is worse when they are on social networks, while 33% of the women questioned declare that it is extremely important that their skin is perfect when posting a photo on social media. This desire to have perfect skin, more than illusory, is influenced by the standards of beauty of current society. Standards that were notably created by the filters used en masse on stories and photos on social networks. 64% of those polled also think that these filters create too high expectations, especially with regard to the epidermis. Thus, the skin smoothed by the filters becomes a standard that the French want to achieve.
Skin Positivity : a movement that is not well known enough
Faced with this observation, and this confusion between real skin and skin embellished by filters, many influencers have spoken on the subject. How? ‘Or’ What ? They show on social media what their skin really looks like, without filters and retouching. Thus, they appear with a few small imperfections, pigment spots, visible pores, eczema or acne, or even with down on the face.
This movement has a name: the Skin Positivity. Like the movement Body Positive, it aims to desecrate perfect skin and show real skin. Remember, the skin is a living organ and its appearance and its problems evolve over days, months and years. Stress, periods, and lifestyle changes can make blemishes appear on your face, but also make them disappear. The key is to learn to live with them or to treat them if you feel the need.
Still according to the Treatwell study, more than half of French women (55%) have never heard of this movement which could do them the greatest good. Yet it is well and truly changing our use of social media. Earlier this year, the UK, for example, asked influencers to no longer use filters when promoting beauty products. A breakthrough that allows us to better understand skin problems and put an end to the perfect skin syndrome!