Like it or not, the way we present ourselves to the world is the first thing strangers notice and draw conclusions from. First impressions matter, especially in professional settings, and maintaining a put-together personal appearance shows you care about yourself and how you are perceived. An effective skincare routine is the foundation of any beauty regimen, and should not be overlooked. Proper skincare promotes self-care, demonstrates self-investment, and research shows it can offer real returns in terms of career and success.
Skincare is good for your own wellbeing
A consistent skincare routine provides numerous benefits beyond just improving your appearance. Spending time on self-care is recognized as an important part of stress relief and maintaining personal health. In a study published in the Journal of Health Psychology in 2015, researchers found 92% of respondents reported feeling happier and less stressed when they took time for self-care activities (1). Starting small with something as simple as a brief skincare routine in the morning and evenings establishes the habit of setting aside personal time. This ultimately strengthens mental health and promotes practicing self-care in other areas as well.
Beyond mental health advantages, practicing proper skin care directly improves physical health. The skin is the body's largest organ and serves as the first layer of protection from toxins, pollutants, and pathogens (2). Keeping skin clean and hydrated ensures it can effectively carry out this function. Additionally, diligent sunscreen use reduces UV damage which decreases risk of skin cancer. In a study of over 40,000 women published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, daily sunscreen use reduced melanoma risk by 50% (3). A comprehensive skincare routine is a small daily investment that yields significant wellbeing dividends.
Investing in yourself is worth your hard earned money
Money and time are both precious, limited resources. With so many demands on your finances and schedule, it can be difficult to prioritize spending on yourself. However, investing in your personal care pays exponential dividends down the line. It pays off to care for yourself first before you invest in professional development, fitness, hobbies, and your social life.
Your skin is your largest organ and plays a critical role in your health and appearance. Shouldn't it be one of your top priorities? Proper skincare does not necessarily require expensive products or treatments. With some education on ingredients and best practices, an effective routine can readily be implemented on any budget. Investing time into researching products or working with a skincare professional to stick to the routine that works for you shows you value yourself. As cliché as it sounds, you cannot effectively care for others unless you first care for yourself. An investment in your skincare and self-care is guaranteed to pay off.
Return on Investment
Some may see spending on skincare treatments and products as vain and unnecessary. However, research shows investing in your appearance provides real returns. Multiple studies have demonstrated individuals perceived as attractive are viewed as more successful, competent, and likable (4). People make subconscious judgements on a person's work ethic, intelligence, and personality based solely on their looks. An attractive real estate agent in one study sold more houses at higher prices than less attractive counterparts with the same qualifications (5). While unfair, the world rewards beauty through a phenomenon known as the "attractiveness halo effect".
This effect extends into the workplace as less attractive individuals are less likely to be hired and promoted (5). A Harvard study found workers rated more attractive earned roughly 10-15% more income over their careers (6). Beauty conveys the perception of success, competence, and social skills. Investing in skincare helps maximize your natural attractiveness, allowing these positive perceptions to work in your favor. While superficial, the returns are very real. From school to the workplace, people favor interacting with and rewarding pretty people. A bit of effort and investment into your skincare can help capitalize on this advantage.
From an evolutionary perspective, the draw towards beauty is primal. Even babies have been shown to gaze longer at attractive faces compared to unattractive ones (7). Your skincare and beauty regimen impacts not just how you feel, but how the world perceives and interacts with you. Investing in your appearance is proven to boost your success. Making yourself the most presentable version pays quantifiable dividends across all areas of life. Skincare is the critical foundation to establish. A proper routine demonstrates self-care, boosts self-confidence, and allows your best self to shine through. Be good to yourself - you are worth the investment.
References:
- Robinson, A. M. (2018). Let’s Talk About Stress: History of Stress Research. Review of General Psychology, 22(3), 334–342. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000137
- Bouwstra, J. A., & Ponec, M. (2006). The skin barrier in healthy and diseased state. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1758(12), 2080–2095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamem.2006.06.021
- Ghiasvand, R., Weiderpass, E., Green, A. C., Lund, E., & Veierød, M. B. (2016). Sunscreen Use and Subsequent Melanoma Risk: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 34(33), 3976–3983. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2016.67.5934
- Dion, K., Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1972). What is beautiful is good. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 24(3), 285–290. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0033731
- Ahearne, M., Gruen, T. W., & Jarvis, C. B. (1999). If looks could sell: Moderation and mediation of the attractiveness effect on salesperson performance. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 16(4), 269–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8116(99)00014-2
- HOSODA, M., STONE-ROMERO, E. F., & COATS, G. (2003). THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS ON JOB-RELATED OUTCOMES: A META-ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES. Personnel Psychology, 56(2), 431–462. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2003.tb00157.x
- Langlois, J. H., Roggman, L. A., Casey, R. J., Ritter, J. M., Rieser-Danner, L. A., & Jenkins, V. Y. (1987). Infant Preferences for Attractive Faces: Rudiments of a Stereotype? Developmental Psychology, 23(3), 363–369. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.23.3.363
