Sharing makeup-free selfies, stretch-marked pregnant bellies, and other real-life imperfections on social media is boosting self-confidence for 41% of Dutch women. The top skin concerns impacting confidence include acne (33%), signs of aging (17%), and dry or flaky skin (13%). Among those with acne, 40% are hyper-aware of it several times a day—or even constantly. Yet, 60% say these issues don't stop them from posting selfies. These insights come from a Bio-Oil study of over 1,000 Dutch women aged 18 and older.
Overall, 49% of Dutch women report that skin issues negatively affect their self-confidence, rising to 71% for those under 30. In this younger group, 38% face negative feedback from others, and 39% prefer not to be touched when their skin is acting up. Acne is the primary culprit for younger women, while skin aging tops concerns for those 60+. When seeking skincare advice, women first turn to drugstore or perfumery staff (36%), followed by GPs or specialists (29%) and friends (27%). For nearly one in five women under 40, stretch marks—often from pregnancy—are the biggest confidence hitters.
