By Lucy Macdougald
When it comes to the skincare, it seems like every week we are constantly inundated with new ‘trends’, which makes it hard to know what’s truly worth following. Skincare movements, viral hashtags and cult products can all add to the confusion, making it a bit of a minefield that can be hard to navigate. However, one such trend/movement/hashtag (call it what you will) that is set to go viral is #SkinNeutrality. In fact, it’s already well on its way on social media, if the hashtag on Instagram and TikTok is to be believed. Below Biologi’s Dermal Specialist Lucy Macdougald tells us why it’s time to get on board with the #SkinNeutrality movement.
WHAT IS SKIN NEUTRALITY?
Skin Neutrality is a new trend that is surfacing on social media whereby people are embracing their ‘real skin’. We live in world where highly edited and filtered photos are the norm, yet Skin Neutrality turns its back on all of that and embraces authenticity. The irony is that it’s trending on social media, but we can’t argue that it’s a breath of fresh air!
Put simply, Skin Neutrality is movement that embraces real skin in all its glory. It goes beyond self-love and body positivity and focusses on normalising what we’ve covered for all these years (hello freckles and age spots)! It encourages people cut out the shame that can come from having less-than-perfect skin (especially in the age of social media where there is pressure to constantly look ‘beautiful’ and live up to unrealistic beauty standards). The idea behind this trend is that your skin ‘flaws’ do not define your beauty – instead your skin is just another body part that doesn’t always justify attention. By the way, when we say ‘flaws’ what we really mean is real skin!
HOW IS SKIN NEUTRALITY DIFFERENT TO SKIN POSITIVITY?
Skin Neutrality goes a step further beyond skin positivity (which stems from body positivity) and places more of a ‘neutral’ outlook on skin conditions like eczema, acne, rosacea etc. The idea is to ditch the filters and share raw pictures of your skin, not necessarily asking for praise, but more to normalise regular skin (‘flaws’ and all) in the hopes that one day it won’t be something that is noticed or commented on. The reality is that most ‘normal’ skin has pimples, redness, pockmarks, eczema, lumps, freckles and bumps (and the list goes on) and that should be a very normal thing to share and not be commented on. Yes, you’re embracing your real skin, but ideally one day sharing real skin will be the norm and not something to be praised when we share it.
SO, SHOULD WE JUST FORGET ABOUT OUR FLAWS AND EMBRACE OUR SKIN?
Well, the answer is yes and no. While we should work towards normalising regular skin, we shouldn’t stop taking care of it altogether. If you have a regimented skin routine and take pride in your regime, you don’t have to stop doing that. But, you can get comfortable with ditching the filters, FaceTune and Photoshop and making real skin sharing a normal part of your life. Whilst right now people are being praised for sharing #SkinNeutrality pics on social media, one day it might normal and not be a #trend to share your ‘flaws’.
It’s ok if you still want to invest in your skin – just know that it’s normal to have ‘flaws’. Enhancing and building on what you already have is key, and if you can make your skin glow at the same time – #bonus! We recommend getting yourself a hard working serum that can keep your skin in the best working order whilst maintaining hydration like Biologi’s Bf Restore Face and Body Serum. In fact, this serum is perfect for anyone with skin conditions and sensitive skin like eczema and rosacea – it can assist in restoring the skin’s barrier function.
The same idea goes for if you’re a person that wears make up and is now thinking that you shouldn’t – well, you can, so long as you’re doing it for the right reasons. It’s ok to make yourself feel good and take pride in your appearance but make up should be to ‘enhance’ what you already have, not cover it completely. Instead, invest in a great skincare regime and let those freckles show!