You are on FIRE with this piece, Jessica ❤️🔥 Wish the Times had used the “Cannabalism” section as well. Especially love this line of yours in that section: “Perhaps the pushed-down desire to stuff one’s face — discouraged by society, damped by Ozempic — is sublimated into the performance of a gleaming Krispy Kreme?” Seems like such a strong point...
The few times I've unintentionally had "dewy dumpling" or "glazed donut" skin was when I damaged it and it was red and weepy, like when I got one of those battery-powered scrubby brushes in an acne-control kit, or when I had a horrible reaction to poison ivy. It's not a look I want to purposefully recreate.
I'd horrify Vo with my lack of a complicated skincare routine. A few people I followed on TwiX were always pushing The Ordinary products and I stocked up on all the redness relief stuff. I'd gotten a proprietary Rx-but-not-FDA-approved rosacea blend from some scammy dermatology chain I'd been referred to by the VA community care program, because it was right down the street from my house. I didn't want to go back to them, so I was looking for the products to attempt to recreate it, because it did work. I hated trying to figure out which order to apply them. This one on dry skin, this one on damp skin, this one before that one, but don't use more than four products at a time. Ugh! Then I read your piece about eating bread to get your niacin, and it hit me that the redness likely got worse when I started eating low carb. I'm back to unrestricted, non-disordered eating. I still have slight redness, but I'm much happier. So, thank you, Jessica. ❤
I would definitely horrify Vo. I use only Castile soap and coconut oil on my skin in the morning. At night, I massage one drop of Yarrow|Pom essential oil and one drop of natural vitamin E oil into my face and neck.
The capitalism aspect of beauty is very interesting and one that I hadn’t considered before. But it makes sense. And it all plays into the patriarchy, because capitalism is patriarchal.
Add one to the club of people who would apparently “horrify” Vo.💀 recently I’ve been celebrating getting to a place I never thought I’d be able to - having the skincare routine of every man I’ve ever known. That’s right - absolutely nothing.
Seething points as always, Jessica! My fave is the irony of skincare products making you *more* susceptible to sun damage.
Like yes lol, I really would rather put nothing on my skin and enjoy some sun with my skin’s natural protection than use a bunch of sensitizing products and then have to go out of my way to avoid the sun. Like 💀💀💀
Fantastic article! But is anyone else finding themselves really put off eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts recently? Every time I see them I think about accidentally biting into someone’s slimy overmoistened face.... 🤢
I always thought that the strategy behind the sweet names for skin products was to ride the wave of sugary products - many times, products that you know you shouldn't eat, so you just put them on your face instead. Growing up, I'd see this happening with "make up for kids" (you know, little lip glosses and stuff). But this piece gives it a different depth of evil marketing. Thank you for sharing!
It’s great to be reminded of the damaging effects of these lotions and potions not just the being manipulated part. Also: Sale Gaze - delicious! Won’t forget the term when I’m under its influence next.
Another great take on the beauty industry. All I can think of now is Soylent Green (for you young’uns, that’s the MOVIE not the drink-see it if you never have).
If they make us yummy enough will we then be food for the 10%? 🤭
WOW! Amazing piece Jessica!And of course the times cut the part about cannabalism...a little TOO honest and not-so-easily-digestible for them (or their readership).
Sale Gaze! It hits. It’s tough to separate the Outer world expectations from how skin “health” manifests individually, but your articles always teach me a bit more about what’s *unhealthy* in the influencing media we encounter. There’s so much messaging that says “this thing you have is UNHEALTHY!” (acne, redness, flakiness, etc) that it seems like we should be finding our way through the big corporate beauty sea to the island of eternal health... but it’s all the Sale Gaze. If I’ve learned anything from you, it’s that the dermis is so capable that it doesn’t need any of this stuff. It’s all just capitalism.
You are on FIRE with this piece, Jessica ❤️🔥 Wish the Times had used the “Cannabalism” section as well. Especially love this line of yours in that section: “Perhaps the pushed-down desire to stuff one’s face — discouraged by society, damped by Ozempic — is sublimated into the performance of a gleaming Krispy Kreme?” Seems like such a strong point...
So glad that Nam decided to pass on her trauma to millions terrified of less-than-perfect skin....hurt people hurting people indeed
The few times I've unintentionally had "dewy dumpling" or "glazed donut" skin was when I damaged it and it was red and weepy, like when I got one of those battery-powered scrubby brushes in an acne-control kit, or when I had a horrible reaction to poison ivy. It's not a look I want to purposefully recreate.
I'd horrify Vo with my lack of a complicated skincare routine. A few people I followed on TwiX were always pushing The Ordinary products and I stocked up on all the redness relief stuff. I'd gotten a proprietary Rx-but-not-FDA-approved rosacea blend from some scammy dermatology chain I'd been referred to by the VA community care program, because it was right down the street from my house. I didn't want to go back to them, so I was looking for the products to attempt to recreate it, because it did work. I hated trying to figure out which order to apply them. This one on dry skin, this one on damp skin, this one before that one, but don't use more than four products at a time. Ugh! Then I read your piece about eating bread to get your niacin, and it hit me that the redness likely got worse when I started eating low carb. I'm back to unrestricted, non-disordered eating. I still have slight redness, but I'm much happier. So, thank you, Jessica. ❤
I would definitely horrify Vo. I use only Castile soap and coconut oil on my skin in the morning. At night, I massage one drop of Yarrow|Pom essential oil and one drop of natural vitamin E oil into my face and neck.
The capitalism aspect of beauty is very interesting and one that I hadn’t considered before. But it makes sense. And it all plays into the patriarchy, because capitalism is patriarchal.
Add one to the club of people who would apparently “horrify” Vo.💀 recently I’ve been celebrating getting to a place I never thought I’d be able to - having the skincare routine of every man I’ve ever known. That’s right - absolutely nothing.
Seething points as always, Jessica! My fave is the irony of skincare products making you *more* susceptible to sun damage.
Like yes lol, I really would rather put nothing on my skin and enjoy some sun with my skin’s natural protection than use a bunch of sensitizing products and then have to go out of my way to avoid the sun. Like 💀💀💀
You are a national treasure. 🙏
Fantastic article! But is anyone else finding themselves really put off eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts recently? Every time I see them I think about accidentally biting into someone’s slimy overmoistened face.... 🤢
I always thought that the strategy behind the sweet names for skin products was to ride the wave of sugary products - many times, products that you know you shouldn't eat, so you just put them on your face instead. Growing up, I'd see this happening with "make up for kids" (you know, little lip glosses and stuff). But this piece gives it a different depth of evil marketing. Thank you for sharing!
It is so interesting to me that the shinier skin gets, the more it looks like plastic and not human at all. An excellent take, per usual!
This is so good. I particularly like the point about marketing products to women who are presumed to be, or actually, perpetually hungry. Ugh.
It’s great to be reminded of the damaging effects of these lotions and potions not just the being manipulated part. Also: Sale Gaze - delicious! Won’t forget the term when I’m under its influence next.
Blessssssss.
Another great take on the beauty industry. All I can think of now is Soylent Green (for you young’uns, that’s the MOVIE not the drink-see it if you never have).
If they make us yummy enough will we then be food for the 10%? 🤭
Ending this piece with the death drive 💆🏻♀️💆🏻♀️💆🏻♀️ I also agree!!
WOW! Amazing piece Jessica!And of course the times cut the part about cannabalism...a little TOO honest and not-so-easily-digestible for them (or their readership).
Sale Gaze! It hits. It’s tough to separate the Outer world expectations from how skin “health” manifests individually, but your articles always teach me a bit more about what’s *unhealthy* in the influencing media we encounter. There’s so much messaging that says “this thing you have is UNHEALTHY!” (acne, redness, flakiness, etc) that it seems like we should be finding our way through the big corporate beauty sea to the island of eternal health... but it’s all the Sale Gaze. If I’ve learned anything from you, it’s that the dermis is so capable that it doesn’t need any of this stuff. It’s all just capitalism.