SKIN CARE 85


KS: Familiarity subtly—yet powerfully—shapes how we perceive facial appearance, influencing both how attractiveness is judged and how changes in appearance are recognised. While rapid first impressions matter, positive judgments evolve over time. Familiarity sharpens perception


of known faces and because of this heightened awareness, peers and loved ones can register small but meaningful skin changes - such as fine lines or radiance - that may go unnoticed by strangers encountering a face for the first time. Over repeated encounters, skin


health becomes more noticeable and relevant. Appearance improvements are more likely to be noticed and positively reinforced by familiar social groups, supporting our confidence through feedback. Hence, confidence in our appearance is not formed in isolation but through familiarity and recognition.


PCM: To what degree do consumers consciously associate skin care or cosmetics with emotional uplift, and how is this awareness evolving among younger, more emotionally attuned generations? JLV: Nowadays, the effect of a cosmetic product should go beyond its application on the skin. A product should symbolize what you stand for or how you would like to see yourself in the future. The selection of products has increased so much that young people have to actively decide


which product is worth trying. Specifically, this means that a


product must fit your personal story, at the right time and in the right place. Feeling comfortable in your own skin is an anchor point in these fast-paced times. This not only applies to feeling


good about your skin as a reliable safe haven, but also to interacting with others, where skin comfort provides the necessary foundation for approaching new people and situations with openness and curiosity. KS: Self-care practices involving skin care and touch techniques can bring about emotional uplift and nowadays, these reflect a broader shift toward skin care as an expression of personal identity rather than a purely cosmetic routine. Gentle touch has been shown


to modulate autonomic nervous system activity and stimulate the release of neurochemicals such as oxytocin, supporting relaxation and positive affect. Mindful skin care rituals may


therefore function also as a form of embodied emotional regulation, reinforcing self-esteem, self- compassion and the skin-brain connection where the skin is understood as both a sensory and emotional interface between the person and their environment.


PCM: What subtle shifts in attitudes or behaviour suggest that people are gradually embracing the idea that skin care can


support emotional wellbeing, even if they do not yet articulate it explicitly? JLV: When applying a product to something as precious as our own skin, it is always about the feeling of security and support. As users, we all want to use something we trust. This refers to the product itself, that it does something meaningful and valuable for us, for more and more people too, that it has no negative impact on our environment. It also addresses the act of


self-care for our skin goes beyond just a skin care ritual: Stronger skin as the foundation for feeling good about your body. In contrast to that, studies also show that a lack of skin care routine and the resulting suboptimal skin condition can have a significant negative impact on our mood and social behaviour. The decisions we make


subconsciously are perhaps the ones that have the strongest influence on us. Even though we as users of cosmetics are very well informed nowadays and want to classify things rationally, the subconscious level plays a role that is no less important. We want to feel that there is


more for us to discover when we find a way to care for our skin that suits us. The rest follows naturally and automatically, just like a first impression. KS: You are part of a younger generation that is often described as being more attuned to self-care, especially practices that nurture emotional wellbeing. Millennials and Gen Z spend


more on self-care–related activities and products than older generations, with many reporting small rituals—such as using pampering products or taking rest breaks—that they associate with happiness and emotional uplift. However, this increased engagement does not necessarily translate into improved wellbeing, as these groups also experience higher levels of mental health challenges. These generational differences


reflect broader shifts in cultural norms. Younger generations tend to be more open about mental health, place greater value on self- expression, and show increased acceptance of diverse identities, including fluid gender identities. This cultural openness may help


explain why the emotional benefits of skin care are widely felt, even when they are not always explicitly articulated.


PCM: In closing, how could the benefits of skin care be articulated better? JLV: Surrendering to the fact that everything is interconnected and that personal skin care is just one component of holistic wellbeing and healthy skin, this can be seen as an invitation to get to know your personal skin needs, including the changes that occur over the course of your life. Skin care can play an important


role in providing support, genuine care and a balanced appearance. A benevolent view of oneself enables a positive view of others and can turn a good first impression into a lasting impression that positively influences more areas of our shared lives. KS: Personally, I have come a long way from admiring the supermodels of the late 1980s while growing up, even as I continue to recognise facial beauty as an invaluable asset. As a clinician, I understand that longevity, confidence and wellbeing are shaped also by caring for our emotional envelope through how we relate to ourselves and to others. Skin care ritual and facial


massage become a means of self- www.personalcaremagazine.com


March 2026 PERSONAL CARE MAGAZINE PCM


connection through skin as a living interface. Friendship and community are our relational mirrors, shaping how we see ourselves and how safe we feel in our own skin. Through both self-care and shared connection, the skin reflects states of belonging, confidence and resilience.


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