There are several things we typically don’t get told about the “clean girl” aesthetic. For example, clear, smooth-looking skin isn’t always due to a simple product line-up (like cleanser and moisturizer) and adequate hydration. It can be due to many factors, including good lighting, applying certain types of makeup, and skin treatments. In addition, prescription products and genetics can play a role. As someone who would like to emulate the “clean girl,” the omitted information is important.
The “Clean Girl” Aesthetic Has Layers of Product Beneath the Surface.
While the finished result of a Clean Girl look appears effortless, the “Clean Girl” Aesthetic requires an array of products applied to the skin in a precise manner. These products can include: Tinted SPF to protect the skin from the sun, Concealer around the nose to create a smooth, seamless transition, Brow Gel to keep the brows in place, Cream Blush to add color and dimension to the cheeks, and a Dewy Highlighter to create a glow on the high points of the face (cheekbones).
When you compare your skin to the images of a polished “clean girl,” it may help to take a moment to distinguish between the styling of the skin and the skin itself. A refreshed look, especially one utilizing good natural light from a window at 10 in the morning, can certainly involve makeup, grooming, etc. However, it simply does not mean that the look is based solely on a cleanser and moisturizer.
Good Skin Is Not Always Built Upon The Premise Of Less
A lot of “clean girl” material says that “the less you have on your face, the better.” This is mostly true, but oftentimes using too much of everything (acids, scrubs, and/or serums) will just make things worse. Optimal doesn’t always equal minimal.
Some women achieve healthy-looking skin by sticking to a simple routine of a few well-chosen products, while other women may need to use acne medications, barrier repair creams, hormonal support, or get treatments at an aesthetic clinic. It’s common to leave out the last one since it doesn’t fit into the picture of the “clean girl,” who is quietly perfecting her look without any apparent effort.
As previously mentioned, a three-step routine is rarely enough to address a number of common skin issues, including breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and irritation. There’s no shame in needing additional help with your skin. Skin problems don’t mean you’re not doing well in terms of beauty. They simply indicate that you need a more realistic approach.
Texture, Pigmentation, And Breakouts Are All Normal And Do Not Ruin The Look
Without a doubt, the greatest issue with the trend of “clean girl” aesthetics is its lack of space for real skin. Normal skin has texture across the forehead. It becomes red around the nostrils. It may contain older scars from acne on the jaw line or a cluster of bumps on the temple. All of these issues are common.
However, when individuals start viewing each pore, each blemish, and every irregular area as something that must be removed instantly, the issue escalates to a point where it could become problematic. Picking at blemishes, over-exfoliating, or attempting to utilize five products per week will typically increase the problem rather than alleviate it. When someone sees a couple of spots on Tuesday, applies a harsh scrub that evening, and awakens on Wednesday with skin that feels dry and tight after washing, now the issue is greater than it was prior to the application of the scrub.
Rather than striving for flat, filtered skin, it may be beneficial to focus on calmer skin. Calmer skin is created by protecting your barrier, using sunscreen daily, and addressing specific skin concerns with patience. The changes to your skin are typically less dramatic than you anticipate.
Clear Skin Often Has Resources Behind It
While the “Clean Girl” image seems like a simple lifestyle choice, in reality, there are many financial, temporal, and social elements supporting this image. For example, facials, dermatologists, and laser treatments are just some of the treatments and services that can help improve one’s skin. In addition to these treatments, being able to test samples of skincare products without fear of wasting money is also a key component in successfully maintaining healthy, clean skin. The person may say that they believe their skin has improved since they started drinking more water and getting more sleep. There may be truth to this. However, if this person has been receiving monthly peels, using medical-grade products on their skin, and/or visiting an aesthetic clinic for specific treatments, then this is also important. Leaving out the latter leaves people with no way of understanding why they cannot achieve what this person seems to be so easily achieving.
Focusing On The Right Things
Although the “clean girl” may look better to many people, there is no way that “good” skin is as flawless and effortless as the images suggest. The sooner you quit looking at the “clean girl” as a standard to judge your own skin by, the easier it will be to take care of your skin in an uneventful and effective way.
