Everyone has a unique struggle with skincare and for some it’s a battle. It’s often remarked upon during the coming of age films where preteens encounter their first zit or the beginning of acne. We all go through it, welcome to growing up!
Having good skin is a combination of a few things: genetics, varying degrees of effort, and the access to good skincare products. Sadly, that can be a triple whammy for those who constantly battle with acne.
Having clear skin is seen as a social staple and an accomplishment, but perfect skin is pretty unattainable and another unrealistic beauty standard. The basics of common knowledge are to wash our face and moisturize, but where do we buy from? If we want to have clear skin, we ask people who have clear skin: celebrities.
Over the years, there’s been a surge in celebrities endorsing skincare products from Adam Levine, Tinashe, Demi Lovato, Carrie Underwood, Kerry Washington, Justin Bieber, Julianne Hough, Jennifer Aniston to Avril Lavigne. The whole ploy of the business leaders behind Proactive is to look at beautiful celebrities and buy their products with the intention to have similar skin. It’s one of the foundational tools of marketing executives. But if these celebrities use Proactive at all, it’s only one part of their rigorous skincare routine.
The real cost of celebrity-like beauty isn’t $29.95 with a simple credit card swipe in a mall kiosk, it’s incredibly expensive. In a tweet from 2013, Demi Lovato tweeted her skincare products after getting questions from her fans. It wasn’t specified that it of itself was an endorsement, but it was expressed that she just wanted to share her beauty secrets. But that free information didn’t come free of charge. Although initially honest amongst her peers, some of the many products rang up at least $70 apiece. That’s quite a sum of money. Is flawless skin a privilege purchased with a price of hundreds of dollars?
Since then, that honesty has been fleeting with Lovato’s endorsement of her self-titled brand of reasonably affordable skincare. Her fans buy solely with the intent of having skin like hers, but it’s probably one step of many of Lovato’s lengthy routine. One step that is most likely skipped if even used at all.
America’s capitalistic and materialistic society put priority in purchasing something that’s relatively unattainable. There’s no such thing as perfect skin, but there are tricks and tips to taking care of it. Businesses have twisted skin care into something you buy instead of focusing on the priority of taking time for self care.
Learn about the skin you have and the best ways to care for it. Learn about ingredients and nutrients. Ask around for beauty secrets, but don’t ask for opinions from those who are more interested in cutting a check. Be an educated and moisturized carer rather than buyer.
