{"id":1775,"date":"2021-12-19T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-19T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/?p=1775"},"modified":"2023-03-20T15:36:47","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T15:36:47","slug":"myth-buster-what-does-healthy-skin-look-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/myth-buster-what-does-healthy-skin-look-like\/","title":{"rendered":"Myth Buster: What Does Healthy Skin Look Like?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ASK-A-DERM_What-is-healthy-skin-Mirror-vs.-Filter-copy-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1779\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Like and share the article here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/skinandmehq\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/skinandmehq\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-twitter  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/skinandmehq?lang=en\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M22.23,5.924c-0.736,0.326-1.527,0.547-2.357,0.646c0.847-0.508,1.498-1.312,1.804-2.27 c-0.793,0.47-1.671,0.812-2.606,0.996C18.324,4.498,17.257,4,16.077,4c-2.266,0-4.103,1.837-4.103,4.103 c0,0.322,0.036,0.635,0.106,0.935C8.67,8.867,5.647,7.234,3.623,4.751C3.27,5.357,3.067,6.062,3.067,6.814 c0,1.424,0.724,2.679,1.825,3.415c-0.673-0.021-1.305-0.206-1.859-0.513c0,0.017,0,0.034,0,0.052c0,1.988,1.414,3.647,3.292,4.023 c-0.344,0.094-0.707,0.144-1.081,0.144c-0.264,0-0.521-0.026-0.772-0.074c0.522,1.63,2.038,2.816,3.833,2.85 c-1.404,1.1-3.174,1.756-5.096,1.756c-0.331,0-0.658-0.019-0.979-0.057c1.816,1.164,3.973,1.843,6.29,1.843 c7.547,0,11.675-6.252,11.675-11.675c0-0.178-0.004-0.355-0.012-0.531C20.985,7.47,21.68,6.747,22.23,5.924z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-pinterest  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.co.uk\/skinandmehq\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12.289,2C6.617,2,3.606,5.648,3.606,9.622c0,1.846,1.025,4.146,2.666,4.878c0.25,0.111,0.381,0.063,0.439-0.169 c0.044-0.175,0.267-1.029,0.365-1.428c0.032-0.128,0.017-0.237-0.091-0.362C6.445,11.911,6.01,10.75,6.01,9.668 c0-2.777,2.194-5.464,5.933-5.464c3.23,0,5.49,2.108,5.49,5.122c0,3.407-1.794,5.768-4.13,5.768c-1.291,0-2.257-1.021-1.948-2.277 c0.372-1.495,1.089-3.112,1.089-4.191c0-0.967-0.542-1.775-1.663-1.775c-1.319,0-2.379,1.309-2.379,3.059 c0,1.115,0.394,1.869,0.394,1.869s-1.302,5.279-1.54,6.261c-0.405,1.666,0.053,4.368,0.094,4.604 c0.021,0.126,0.167,0.169,0.25,0.063c0.129-0.165,1.699-2.419,2.142-4.051c0.158-0.59,0.817-2.995,0.817-2.995 c0.43,0.784,1.681,1.446,3.013,1.446c3.963,0,6.822-3.494,6.822-7.833C20.394,5.112,16.849,2,12.289,2\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Pinterest<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/skinandmehq\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Dermatologists, the beauty industry and many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/TheSkinAndMeCollective\">online skincare communities<\/a> use the catch-all term \u2018healthy skin\u2019 but what does really it mean? How do we <em>really<\/em> define what healthy skin looks like in the mirror?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Healthy skin is often packaged as an aspirational goal. But that\u2019s not the same thing as flawless. Flawless skin is only something you can fake or \u2018enhance\u2019 through miracle products, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/all-about-the-base-expert-party-skincare-and-makeup-tips\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1733\">makeup<\/a>, lighting, angles or digital filters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re here to call it out as a useful term but emphasise that healthy skin, from an aesthetic viewpoint, can look different for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Setting the bar from a scientific and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/category\/skin-me\/community-wisdom\/\">community-led<\/a> viewpoint for what fresh, healthy skin looks like is about knowledge, proactivity and a healthy dose of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/3-ways-to-link-skin-and-mental-health-from-acne-to-rosacea-and-skin-ageing\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3078\">self-compassion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The phrase \u2018healthy skin\u2019 shouldn\u2019t be interchangeable with perfect, poreless, and smooth as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/truth-and-tiktok-skincare-trends-face-icing-dermaplaning-and-slugging\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2097\">glass skin<\/a>. Flawless skin is fantasy skin \u2013 fairytale, Hollywood, Instagram skin; essentially skin that you don\u2019t see every day, in daylight \u2013 in reality.<br><br>Real, healthy skin has pores. Real, healthy skin under a microscope is uneven.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>By balancing out realistic expectations with an aspiration to getting the best filter-free skin possible, we can face up to unattainable beauty standards often perpetuated by mainstream and social media.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Your skin is unique and so are you. That\u2019s why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/\">Skin + Me<\/a><strong> <\/strong>personalises your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/daily-doser-spotlight\/\">Daily Doser<\/a>. Recognising, celebrating and working to be the best version of your unique self is the best route to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/community-wisdom-how-does-good-skin-make-you-feel\/\">real, healthy skin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Defining healthy skin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We spoke to Consultant Dermatologist, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/meet-the-team\">Dr Malvina Cunningham<\/a> for the expert take on healthy skin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Malvina explains, <strong>\u201c<\/strong>The function of the skin is to be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/your-skin-barrier-protection-guide\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2634\">protective barrier<\/a> against the outside and prevent water loss from the inside. Any condition that compromises this function can be defined as a disease. Society and doctors have, however, blurred the lines between true disease and common variations or stages of skin health that are seen as abnormal or a disease.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTake spots or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/the-skin-and-me-guide-to-acne\/\">acne<\/a> for instance. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/the-skin-and-me-guide-to-acne\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"467\">Spots and acne<\/a> can be classified as a disease and undesirable. Yet this affects almost 95 percent of all adolescents, even though it\u2019s a normal response to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/ask-a-dermatologist-how-do-hormones-affect-my-skin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1572\">hormonal<\/a> stimulation during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/how-to-look-after-your-skin-at-every-stage-of-your-life\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1036\">puberty<\/a>&#8220;.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAn occasional spot will not significantly interfere with the function of the skin. The same goes for pores, wrinkles and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/ask-a-dermatologist-what-is-hyperpigmentation\/\">pigmentation<\/a> which are all normal processes that our skin experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This raises a question about society\u2019s beauty standards in general and what is seen as \u2018desirable\u2019 as opposed to just \u2018healthy\u2019. Visually healthy skin goes hand in hand with good skin function &#8211; as a protective barrier against the environment, preventing dehydration from the inside.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Modern beauty standards vs. healthy skin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just in case you needed reminding, most of the glowy, glossy skin you see on screen &#8211; from TV to social media &#8211;&nbsp; is probably enhanced to look that way. And that enhancement is most likely digital &#8211; something that you couldn\u2019t replicate face-to-face, in real life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>Dr Malvina explains, \u201cHealthy skin is far more varied than it\u2019s portrayed in the media and the widespread use of filters massively contributes to this distorted view of what healthy skin looks like.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHealthy skin is uneven in texture. It feels smoother and more delicate around the eye area but may be tougher over the cheeks and forehead. Normal, healthy skin may feel dry over the cheeks and oily in the T-zone or alternatively, dry or oily all over.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHealthy skin can vary in colour and may have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/skincare-and-the-sun-guide-freckles-sun-spots-spf-and-makeup-know-how\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2473\">freckles<\/a> or darker pigmentation around the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/ask-a-dermatologist-do-i-really-need-a-separate-eye-cream\/\">eye area<\/a>. Healthy skin can have lines and wrinkles and may have occasional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/the-skin-and-me-guide-to-acne\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"467\">breakouts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHealthy skin may have a few more prominent blood vessels around the nose area or redness over the cheeks. The truth is that healthy skin looks slightly different for different people and at different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/how-to-look-after-your-skin-at-every-stage-of-your-life\/\">stages of their lives<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Awareness and understanding around this nuance in healthy skin across the population is the first step to education, self-compassion and working towards being the best version of yourself \u2013 within the perimeters of what makes you feel comfortable and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/skin-ageing-101\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3061\">confident<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Healthy skin encompasses effective skin <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/ask-a-dermatologist-microbiome-skincare-for-healthy-skin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1976\">function<\/a>. Aesthetically, the way it can look has many different interpretations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Looking at healthy skin through a more honest lens<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trying to look objectively at what healthy skin<em> really is <\/em>versus the fashion for unrealistically flawless skin, is complex.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Skin + Me celebrates \u2018personal progress\u2019 photos \u2013 not just \u2018before\u2019 and \u2018after\u2019 pictures. The difference is the mindset. \u2018Before\u2019 and \u2018after\u2019 juxtaposes two stages of a skin journey in a reductive, linear way that misrepresents the reality of how skin can change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Personal progress is unique to you, using scientifically-proven skincare that boosts your confidence and helps you face every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re here to help you get the skin you want but also here to nurture self-confidence and celebrate holistically healthy skin. Let\u2019s normalise real skin, with no judgement, just support and education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Medical facts checked by <\/strong><strong>Consultant Dermatologist, <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/meet-the-team\"><strong>Dr Malvina Cunningham&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>New to Skin + Me? Click <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/consultation\/sign-up\/all-about-you\/skin-goals\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a><strong> to start your healthier, happier skin consultation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>On your Skin + Me journey? Learn more about our Invite a Friend Charity initiative <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/support.skinandme.com\/article\/225-tell-me-more-about-the-charities-i-can-donate-to\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\nHealthy skin goes under the microscope. Read how Skin + Me are facing up to unrealistic beauty standards and aspiring to get the best filter-free skin possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":179265348,"featured_media":1779,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2015,1366],"tags":[1631,1611],"class_list":["post-1775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-articles","category-myth-buster","category-routine","tag-healthy-skin","tag-myth-busting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/179265348"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1775"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3193,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1775\/revisions\/3193"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skinandme.com\/the-dose\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}