Bruno Mars, in 2012, gave the world a powerful message: “You are amazing just the way you are.” I wish we had listened. Because if we had, we might have saved ourselves from the circus of beauty standards.
In the last few years, terms like Korean glass skin have become popular. Surf the internet, and you’ll find countless products being sold under that label. But here’s the painful truth: South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, many driven by dissatisfaction with appearance.
Is the race for the perfect skin then worth it? Oteria says no. Oteria says you are beautiful just the way you are. Read more to understand the difference between skincare and unreal beauty standards.
Table of contents
Clear Skin, Clouded Minds: The Thin Line Between Skincare and Beauty Standards
Skincare has nothing to do with flawless skin
The global obsession with fair skin
Oteria sets out to change this narrative
Skincare has nothing to do with flawless skin
The term skincare means caring for and nourishing your skin. It means putting on sunscreen so you don’t burn. It means cleansing your face after a long day. It means moisturizing so your skin doesn’t crack in the cold. Skincare is about addressing real skin concerns—like eczema, acne, or sun damage—because your skin is your body’s largest organ, not a billboard.
Sadly, we have fallen in love with the idea of perfection that’s been sold to us. And that’s exactly what the beauty industry wants. Because while healthy skin is a goal, flawless skin is a fantasy. And fantasies sell.
Enter the 10-step routines, expensive serums, the overnight “miracle” treatments. Enter the filters, the airbrushed models, and the language of “glass skin,” “poreless,” “ageless,” “perfect.” Suddenly, skincare isn’t about taking care of your skin anymore but about chasing an illusion.
And that illusion isn’t just unrealistic. It’s exhausting. Because no matter how much we spend or scrub or smooth, human skin will never look like a retouched campaign photo. It’s meant to have texture, pores, freckles, scars, and expression lines. That’s not failure, it’s biology.
Skincare vs beauty standards
There is a clear distinction between skincare and the unreal beauty standards doing the rounds these days. But skincare and beauty standards are not the same. Here’s how they differ:
|
Category |
Skincare |
Beauty Standards |
|
Purpose |
Care for skin health |
Achieve visual “perfection” |
|
Approach |
Practical and personal |
Trend-driven and image-focused |
|
Realism |
Accepts natural texture and changes |
Demands flawlessness and youth |
|
Emotional Impact |
Builds self-respect |
Fuels insecurity and comparison |
|
Message |
“Nurture your skin” |
“Fix your flaws” |
The global obsession with fair skin
For centuries, fair or white skin has been upheld as the ultimate beauty ideal in many parts of the world. This preference is not simply about aesthetics but deeply intertwined with history, social status, and power dynamics.
In numerous cultures, fair skin was historically associated with wealth and privilege. People with lighter complexions were often those who did not have to work outdoors under the sun, symbolizing a life of leisure and higher social standing. This association became even more pronounced during colonial times, when European standards of beauty were imposed on colonized countries. The idea that lighter skin was superior was spread through media, advertising, and social norms, creating a global hierarchy of beauty.
Meanwhile, darker skin tones whether Black, brown African, Indian, or other, were often unfairly stigmatized. These skin tones were linked to outdoor labor, lower social status, and even negative stereotypes. As a result, many communities internalized these biases, leading to widespread colorism.
The beauty industry has long capitalized on this bias, promoting skin-lightening products and treatments that promise to help people “achieve” fairer skin. This not only perpetuates unrealistic and harmful beauty standards but also undermines the natural beauty and diversity of darker skin tones.
Oteria sets out to change this narrative
Today, there is a growing movement challenging these outdated ideals. People and brands around the world are embracing and promoting natural skin tones and rejecting the notion that fair skin is the only path to beauty. And Oteria is at the forefront of this change. Oteria is loudly and proudly a skincare brand and nothing beyond that. Our products are for all skin types and work in sync with the body’s natural circadian rhythms. Take a look at some of our products that are made to care:
Aloe Hydrating Face Wash
Say goodbye to dryness and hello to radiant, balanced skin with the Aloe Hydrating Face Wash from our Afternoon Rhythm collection. This gentle cleanser enriched with Aloe Vera, exfoliating Salicylic Acid, and moisturizing Niacinamide is ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. Paraben-free and suitable for all skin types, it hydrates, refines texture, clears pores, and strengthens your skin’s natural barrier for a fresh, healthy glow every day.
Benefits
● Suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin
● Hydrates and heals the skin, leaving it soft and refreshed
● Prevents dryness while maintaining hydration balance
● Strengthens the skin’s natural barrier for better protection
● Promotes even skin texture and controls excess oil
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Deeply hydrates, soothes irritation and supports skin cell repair.
Niacinamide: Improves texture, reinforces the skin barrier and reduces excess oil.
Salicylic Acid: Gently exfoliates, unclogs pores and helps prevent breakouts.
How to use
Pour an appropriate quantity into wet hands
Gently massage onto your face and neck, forming a lather
Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry
Use twice daily, morning and evening, for best results
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Disclaimer: Results based on subjective evaluation. Since our products are made with natural ingredients/extracts they may change the colour and fragrance, but the performance of the product is unaffected.
Whipped Body Yogurt
Oteria’s Whipped Body Yogurt is a lightweight, non-sticky cream after shower that deeply nourishes and revitalizes. Specially designed as a body yogurt for women, it’s enriched with Red Algae Extract to boost moisture levels and soothe stressed skin. This fast-absorbing body yogurt leaves your skin feeling soft, supple, and refreshed, without any greasy residue. Perfect for daily use, it’s your go-to ritual for healthy, hydrated skin that feels as good as it looks.
Benefits
● Promotes smooth and healthy skin
● Quick-absorbing formula
● Non-sticky
● Instantly hydrates and refreshes the skin
Key ingredients
Red Algae Extract: Enhances skin suppleness and hydration.
How to use
Apply product as needed and massage into damp skin post shower, or when skin needs hydration.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Disclaimer: Results based on subjective evaluation. Since our products are made with natural ingredients/extracts they may change the colour and fragrance, but the performance of the product is unaffected.
It’s time to take skincare back. We can enjoy skincare without being obsessed with perfection. We can value our health without subscribing to unrealistic ideals. We can treat acne, wrinkles, or texture without hating ourselves for having them in the first place.
Skincare doesn’t need to be performative. It doesn’t need to be aesthetic. It doesn’t need to be about looking “better” for anyone else. It can simply be a quiet act of honoring our bodies and being kind to the skin we’re in. And we at Oteria truly believe that you are beautiful just the way you are.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between skincare and beauty standards?
Skincare is about supporting your skin’s health through cleansing, hydration, and protection. Beauty standards, on the other hand, are often unrealistic ideals shaped by media and marketing, pushing us to look flawless rather than feel healthy.
2. Is it wrong to want clear skin?
Not at all. Wanting healthy skin is natural—but problems arise when “clear” becomes “perfect.” Human skin has texture, pores, scars, and that’s completely normal. The goal should be health, not flawlessness.
3. What is “glass skin” and should I aim for it?
“Glass skin” refers to skin that appears poreless, smooth, and reflective. While it’s marketed as a skincare goal, it often relies on filters, lighting, and genetics. Real skin is never glass—it breathes, ages, and changes.
4. How can I tell if a product is promoting a harmful beauty standard?
Watch out for marketing that uses words like “flawless,” “perfect,” “poreless,” or “miracle cure.” These terms prey on insecurities rather than support your skin’s natural needs.
5. What role does social media play in shaping beauty standards?
Social media often promotes edited, filtered images that create false expectations. It’s a powerful tool, but when we compare ourselves to curated perfection, it can damage our self-esteem and perception of normal skin.
6. Why is fair skin still idolized in many cultures?
The obsession with fair skin is rooted in colonial history, class dynamics, and long-standing media biases. This has led to colorism—prejudice based on skin tone—which continues to affect how beauty is defined and perceived globally.
7. How can I embrace my skin without falling for beauty fads?
Focus on how your skin feels, not just how it looks. Choose products that nourish, protect, and support your skin type rather than chase trends. Remember, skincare is self-care—not self-correction.
8. What makes Oteria different from other skincare brands?
Oteria is a skincare brand rooted in care, not correction. We don’t sell perfection. Our products work in harmony with your skin’s natural rhythms, without promoting unattainable ideals. We’re here to help you feel good in your skin—not fix it.