IN these modern times, children are growing up with technological advances like no other, including social media and its usage. The hashtag “skincare” is trending and is viral across all platforms. Social media and businesses are making millions off demand for better-looking skin. Elaborate skincare routines and products are showcased all across social media. Many makeup businesses such as Fenty Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics and Elf Cosmetics even launched skincare sister businesses to complement their existing beauty brands. “Skin” is definitely trendy. People are putting down their makeup brushes for a while and are now picking up face mask brushes.

While it’s trendy, we should also recognise the harmful effects this “trend” may have on the overall perception of skin and skincare. You’re probably thinking, “why is there a harmful effect to celebrating skin”? Well, there isn’t anything harmful about celebrating skin. However, how and why we celebrate it may be harmful. Please, hear me out: when businesses use photoshop and filters to sell skin care products, or when only a specific skin type is glorified as the “ideal” skin type on social media and even when there are routines for the “fastest way to get clear skin”—that’s when it comes harmful.

When we’re celebrating skin, we should uplift skin that has texture, pimples, scars, marks, hyperpigmentation, facial hair and acne. We should acknowledge and remember that there isn’t an “ideal” skin type for beauty. It’s sad to see that many people only hop onto this wagon because it’s trendy, and as soon as a new trend comes around, they’ll forget all about why celebrating skin is important. Having no pimples or scars does not mean your skin is not healthy. The goal for skincare is healthy skin, not perfect skin.

As someone who is deeply invested in obtaining healthy skin, I urge you all to read as much as you can on skincare routines and tips from professionals—not “gurus.” Anyone with a few thousand followers can say they know what’s best for your skin, but get your information from cited and trustable sources: preferably from dermatologists and other professionals who are directly linked to skincare. Every “trendy” product isn’t worth trying, be mindful of what you put onto your precious skin. As you read and learn, you’ll understand what can work for your skin, and you can buy products according to that information.

I urge all businesses, especially Guyanese-owned businesses who retail skincare products, to celebrate skin but be realistic about it. People have been insecure about their skin ever since beauty standards became a thing and that will continue, even after skincare is no longer “trendy.” Capitalism should never be more important than your responsibility as a human being to help uplift others. When you want to celebrate skin and textures, celebrate the mother who has stretched marks after giving birth. Celebrate the girl who was bullied for having acne in high school and has undergone professional treatment for it. Celebrate the women who have facial hair because of PCOS or celebrate the men with hyperpigmentation. That’s what this “trend” should be about: uplifting real, unfiltered skin, while recommending products that can help improve one’s skin issues with realistic routines.

Be sure to wash your face, drink lots of water, moisturise daily and most importantly—love yourself!