Beyond Vanity: Skincare for Health and Happiness

An introduction to skincare, and why it's taking over the world.

Lisa Fernandes

Size of the global skin care market from 2012 to 2025 (in billion U.S. dollars) [1]

Have you ever found yourself wondering ‘What’s the point of this?’ while reaching for your expensive serum? Or questioning why you’re placing cucumbers on your eyes instead of having them as a refreshing midday snack.

The simplest answer is 'to take care of your skin'. But why has there been such an uproar about skincare lately? In fact, the global skincare market size has steadily increased with the global skincare market estimated to be 189.3 billion U.S. dollars by 2025 [1].

We often don’t credit our skin enough. It aids in temperature regulation, immunity, and vitamin production. It acts as a barrier, protecting us from UV radiation, germs, and toxins. With the skin being the largest organ of the body, it is imperative one must take good care of it.

However, most websites tend to prioritize product placement rather than actual reasoning on why skincare requires so much attention. Rest assured, there are logical reasons why skincare should play an important part in our daily routine.

Physical aspect:

A skincare routine isn’t just a choice, it’s a lifestyle. An effective routine allows us to take care of our body, inside and out. Skincare prevents acne, smoothens wrinkles, and brings a youthful glow. The skin on our faces is more delicate compared to the rest of our bodies. The harsh chemicals present in body soaps and creams cause dryness and allergies, which is why an entire line of products dedicated to facial skin is manufactured. A typical routine consists of cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF, twice daily. Applying skincare products adds to the skin’s integrity by topically supplying a multitude of organic compounds, from vitamin A to zinc. It also soothes pre-existing skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the use of sunscreen for the prevention of skin cancer[2].

If you’re someone who isn’t bothered by appearances, you probably don’t think twice about your acne, but did you know it is a gateway to underlying conditions? A butterfly rash is one of the first signs of lupus. Acanthosis nigricans or velvety plaques point toward diabetes. Essentially, healthy skin indicates a healthy body. Of course, this is to be taken with a grain of salt. That zit on your cheek doesn't mean you've only got a week to live, but it doesn't hurt to be more aware of your skin's needs and wants.

Psychological aspect:

The very idea of a spa day relaxes us. It shouldn’t be a surprise that tending to our skin positively affects our emotional well-being. Skincare allows us to dedicate a few moments in our busy schedules to ourselves. Following a skincare routine boosts our self-image and gives us energy. A study conducted by Zhang et al., 2020 reported that after twenty-eight days of using commercially available skincare products, the test groups showed significant improvement in feelings of empowerment, happiness, and self-esteem. These quality-of-life improvements continued even after two weeks of product withdrawal [3].

Due to the pandemic, all of us experienced a rough transition in our daily lives. Dalgona coffee was discovered, toilet paper sales skyrocketed and routines were jilted. Researchers found a direct correlation between an inconsistent routine and bipolar disorders, suffering from depression, and mood swings [4]. Dedicating time to this personal activity provides a much-needed sense of stability.

In a study of a three-part skin care regimen, participants were asked to fill out a Skin Care Module consisting of five questions that were included as a part of the FQoL™ instrument. Mean scores for each item were determined at three time points: before study commencement (i.e., baseline), after a 4-week usage period (day 28), and after 2 weeks of product deprivation (day 42). The 28- and 42-day mean changes from baseline are shown. The change in the response for each individual item was evaluated for statistical significance using a non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test. The 2-tailed p values are reported. (a) New Mothers group, and (b) The National Representative group [3].

Skincare can be confusing, and it's perfectly valid to be intimidated at first. Whether you want to get rid of stubborn acne, or hop onto the latest skincare trend an influencer is talking about, there's a routine for everyone.

"The internet told me to." is a good enough excuse to start boosting your confidence. However, skincare isn't just slapping some products on your face and calling it a day. It's important to understand the factors affecting our skin, and what products we put on our face. If you're interested in learning about what routine you should follow, check out this article!

References:

[1] Statista Research Department. (2022, February 2). Size of the global skin care market from 2012 to 2025 (in billion U.S. dollars)*. https://www.statista.com/statistics/254612/global-skin-care-market-size/

[2] American Academy of Dermatology. (2016). Prevent skin cancer. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/how

[3] Zhang, L., Adique, A., Sarkar, P., Shenai, V., Sampath, M., Lai, R., Qi, J., Wang, M., & Farage, M. A. (2020). The Impact of Routine Skin Care on the Quality of Life. Cosmetics, 7(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7030059

[4] Lyall, L. M., Wyse, C. A., Graham, N., Ferguson, A., Lyall, D. M., Cullen, B., Celis Morales, C. A., Biello, S. M., Mackay, D., Ward, J., Strawbridge, R. J., Gill, J. M. R., Bailey, M. E. S., Pell, J. P., & Smith, D. J. (2018). Association of disrupted circadian rhythmicity with mood disorders, subjective wellbeing, and cognitive function: a cross-sectional study of 91 105 participants from the UK Biobank. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(6), 507–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30139-1

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