Across bathroom shelves and glowing screens, a quiet anxiety has taken root — particularly among the young — where the ritual of skincare has, for some, crossed from self-care into compulsion. Researchers have begun naming this pattern 'cosmeticorexia': an obsessive pursuit of flawless skin that can distort body image, damage the skin itself, and shrink the world of those it grips. Not yet a clinical diagnosis, it sits at the intersection of social media influence, adolescent identity, and the ancient human longing to feel acceptable in one's own skin. The question being asked now is not wheth
When skincare becomes obsession: Understanding 'cosmeticorexia' and body image
Young people, particularly tweens and teenage girls, experience anxiety, shame, and avoidance of school and social activities due to skin-focused preoccupation linked to social media exposure.