Beauty. Makeup. Cosmetics. Perfection. Going on from elementary school to middle school, I have seen an increasing number of girls my age wanting to wear makeup. It’s often used in order to cover blemishes, insecurities, and presumed “imperfections” on the face. There are thousands of advertisements used in order to promote a certain look or image to younger girls, especially teenagers. Society has built up impossible standards for beauty and an increasingly commercialized nature of identity. Unhealthy relationships have been formed with this kind of art. Makeup should not be needed. In fact, makeup should not be included in a teenager’s daily routine at all. 

Most concerningly, using makeup constantly can cause incredible damage to the skin. Big brand industries make billions of dollars annually, averaging about 49 billion dollars in the US and 100 billion dollars worldwide. Yet it is one of the most unregulated industries in the world. The US Food and Drug Administration directly states: “The law does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, to have FDA approval before they go on the market,” meaning that there might be a risk of certain products not being properly tested and regulated for safety. 

Teenagers spend their money on products that are advertised to be a one and for all solution, when it may be the exact product that is causing the problem. Constantly putting layers and layers of unnecessary pigments, only for them to do more damage than before. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, some of the safety concerns that may be associated with cosmetics include eye infections, spreading bacteria on the skin, and allergic reactions or sensitivity to ingredients. Clogged pores, untimely aging, dry or oily skin, breakouts, and allergic reactions are all risks of putting on makeup constantly. 

However, there still may be teenagers who disagree with this. Without makeup, teens may feel insecure and use it as a tool to deal with their insecurities. Many teens may also think that using makeup is unharmful as it is a way to try out new things and experiment with products. While this may be true and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, using makeup constantly and incorporating it into daily use can cause an unhealthy obsession.

A survey conducted by the Renfrew Center Foundation found that 58 percent of young girls admitted to wearing makeup. Of the girls who wore makeup, 65 percent started between the ages of 8 and 13, 29 percent between the ages of 14 and 16, 50 percent between 11 and 13, and 15 percent between the ages of 8 and 10. It was shown that only 5 percent of girls said that going without makeup made them feel more attractive. More than half of the girls in this survey wore makeup and the majority of them felt unattractive with just their bare faces. This proves that in the long run, makeup may have a negative impact instead of bringing up self-esteem. This is especially relevant when teens start to rely heavily on cosmetics and makeup products in order to enhance their appearance. A fun experiment may turn into self-hatred or dislike.

Are what other people think of you more important than what you think of yourself? Are you going to constantly hide behind a mask every day in order to prevent your insecurities from being seen? Look in that mirror and embrace your imperfections and flaws because that is what makes you truly beautiful.