Not many people know about Dermorexia

A report from beauty journalist Jessica DeFino at The ReviewofBeauty claims people are suffering from something called dermorexia.

According to DeFino, the disorder is caused by a 'disordered and harmful' approach to skin.

She writes, "The more we're focusing on our skin, the more it's becoming a source of self-consciousness and self-hate, particularly for teen girls."

We're all too aware of the power the skincare industry has and just how easy it is to get sucked into the 'advice' shared by experts, influencers, and everyday girls.

Gone are the days when we just put some moisturiser on and hoped for the best. People are now spending a small fortune on perfecting skincare routines, but is this dedication actually a sign of something more serious?

Speaking to Grazia, skin expert Dr Raj Arora says the condition is similar to body dysmorphia.

"It's a similar psychological condition to body dysmorphia where individuals become fixated on a perceived flaw in their appearance and this can lead to significant distress and impaired daily functioning. Dermorexia is similar but relates to the skin."

But what can we do to address issues like Dermorexia?

As someone with acne and skin concerns, I can understand how easy it is to get obsessed with having 'perfect' skin. But accepting your skin for what it is is a better goal to have.

From worrying about pimples as teenagers to panicking about the ever-present wrinkles on our foreheads, we've spent huge chunks of our lives dreaming of having flawless skin.

But is that really important? Society and the beauty industry has tricked us into thinking having crystal clear skin is the goal, but shouldn't caring for our body's largest organ matter more?

Skin problems don't amount to failure. You're not less of a person because you have acne, or wrinkles or laughter lines.

We're cosuming content about new skincare trends every week on TikTok. Influencers are forever showing us their 'favourite' serum that we just need to buy despite sharing another 'favourite' the week before.

Skincare is something that should make us feel better, but it isn't something we should use to belittle ourselves or our confidence.

Experts have warned against using too many products as it can make existing issues even worse. Not only can it worsen your current skincare woes, but it can also cause further problems especially if you damage your skin barrier.

According to Dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon, people do not need to use an excessive number of products, even if people on TikTok say so.

"Most people’s skin doesn’t need six products in the morning and six in the evening. Your skin is absorbent, but it has its limits. Using fewer products ensures better absorption and effectiveness of the ingredients you’re putting on your skin."

"When you’re starting to get dry skin patches, acne breakouts, flaking, dry skin patches on the face, or other irritation, there’s a good chance you’re using too many products."

Experts believe your skincare routine should consist of a cleanser, moisturiser and SPF. You can add treatments for certain skincare issues, but it's important not to use 101 products at once as it can 'stress' out your skin.

Maybe it is time to step back and look at your relationship with the beauty and skincare industries and see if you're benefitting from it or not.

Having flawless and clear skin is not as important as caring for our mental wellbeing or physical health.

We should refocus our time and effort (and money) and start investing in heath checks that we actually benefit from like yearly blood tests and heart health checks.

You really don't need another 'youthful' serum someone is flogging on TikTok.