The Glass Skin Trend: Science, Social Pressures, and Self-Acceptance

By: Jayita Bandargal 

K-beauty is also high on the list with the rise of K-pop, K-dramas, and K-food. The obsession with having skin so smooth and soft that it seems like a sheet of transparent glass is at an all-time high now. Clear skin is a sign of good health and lifestyle; it can be caused by genetics, a healthy diet, or splashing some chemical compounds on our faces (in a good way). 

Biology 

First, let us define a few terms: 

● Gut microbiome, the ecosystem of microbes present in the intestine 

● Skin microbiome- the ecosystem of microbes present on the skin (specifically human skin) 

● Psychodermatology, a medical field that studies and treats skin conditions that are linked to mental health 

The gut-skin axis is the relationship between the gut and skin, and how the gut microbiome affects skin health. It's a bidirectional connection that can impact many skin conditions. An imbalance in the gut microbiome can cause side effects on the skin such as inflammation, acne, and eczema. This is why your diet greatly influences your skin's appearance. Studies show that a healthy diet rich in prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber can improve gut health, benefit skin health, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats can promote gut dysbiosis, leading to increased inflammation and exacerbation of skin and mental health issues (Well, 2024a). Variations in hormones can also cause such conditions. For example, an increase in cortisol (from stress) triggers inflammation. 

Psychology 

For most of us, our skin is a source of our confidence. Especially with the beauty stands and the constant exposure of clear skin on all social media platforms, you are bound to feel uncomfortable in your skin (literally). Since the skin is the outermost organ of our body, it is, of course, the most evident to others. Passing comments like “Oh! That's a lot of speed breakers on your forehead” or “Don’t eat oily food, it is bad for the skin” are very common to teenagers with acne. It could make us feel smaller and take a negative toll on our mental health. This forces teenagers to look out for their health a little more. Having a fixed skincare routine reduces the stress and anxiety a teenager goes through in a day, it becomes their ‘me-time’. Clear skin shows a sign of good health, can help self-esteem, and modulate our immune system. But like all things, there is a darker side.

“Skin-tok” has become a new trend, where influencers show how to get the most perfect, smooth, glass-like appearance skin. Teenagers are the most susceptible to this. It includes various uses of chemical products, which cause overconsumption, environmental issues, and can harm the skin. Doing skincare is therapeutic but in moderation. Many products are not meant for the teenage audience and can cause breakouts, which take forever to heal from (Well, 2024b). 

The concept of glass skin aligns with the psychological phenomenon of perfectionism. The constant effort to look good and keep up with nonstop trends can be tiring. It can also become an obsession with bottles of different serums, face washes, and moisturizers—all of which are not needed or beneficial. Exposure to social media or “skin-tok” can turn us into puppets of the beauty industry, which, in turn, ruins our mental health and our beauty (VBeauty, 2018). 

Self-love is a step-by-step journey that is crucial for adolescents. Being comfortable in our skin, clear or not, helps us. Create a skincare routine that benefits your skin type. 3/4th of social media is fake. While it is possible to have glass skin with a consistent skincare routine, it is perfectly normal to have acne, it's a universal experience you cannot miss out on (unless your genetics are amazing). 

References 

Well, T. (2024, June). Can Skin Products Improve Your Mental Health? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-clarity/202406/can-skin-products-improve-your-m ental-health#:~:text=The%20sensory%20experience%20of%20applying,being%20and%20redu cing%20psychological%20stress.&text=Using%20effective%20skincare%20products%20can,bo osting%20self%2Desteem%20and%20confidence. 

VBeauty. (2018, January 15). The Psychology of Poor Skin. VBeauty. 

https://www.vbeauty.co/blog/2018/1/15/the-psychology-of-poor-skin 

Well, T. (2024, September). The Teen Skincare Craze and Its Impact on Mental Health. Psychology Today. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-clarity/202409/the-teen-skincare-craze-and-its-im pact-on-mental-health#:~:text=Skincare%20as%20Self%2DCare&text=A%20Mintel%20survey %20(2021)%20found,in%20control%20and%20reduce%20anxiety.