The Effects of Beauty Propaganda on Female Consumers (2024)

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The Effects of Beauty Propaganda on Female Consumers? ›

Some studies hypothesized that women with body dissatisfaction seek out advertisem*nts that portray the thin ideal, but there is a clear consensus that the advertisem*nts themselves have been shown to increase weight concern, self-consciousness, body dissatisfaction, negative mood, and perception of one's own ...

Researchers have known for decades that exposure to overly perfected beauty images can lead to body dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety and even eating-disordered behaviors in girls and women. These images trigger a simple but destructive comparison process.

Ads for beauty-enhancing products seem to make consumers feel that their current attractiveness levels are different from what they would ideally be. "Consumers seem to 'compare' themselves to the product images in advertisem*nts, even though the advertisem*nt does not include a human model," the authors write.

The beauty industry impacts our environment in several ways. Current practices can deplete natural resources, damage oceans, hurt wildlife, and produce harmful microplastics. But the biggest challenge the beauty world faces is packaging waste.

By promoting an idealised and unrealistic body type through advertising that portray models with a noticeably smaller physique, flawless complexion, and a “perfect” body shape, marketing can have an adverse effect on women's self-esteem.

It shapes gender norms and expectations for children as young as two years of age. For women, exposure to sexist advertising can lead to low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and eating disorders, as well as reduced satisfaction with sex and relationships.

done badly, advertising can be annoying, manipulative, and even dangerous. It can invade our privacy, bombard us with false or misleading claims, and exploit our fears and insecurities. It can also be used to sell harmful products, like tobacco and alcohol, or to promote harmful behaviours, like gambling.

Our worth is tied to our outer appearance rather than our inner qualities. Cosmetic companies care about making money, not the well-being and mental health of women. They create unrealistic beauty standards to sell their products, convincing us that we must constantly improve our appearances to be accepted and loved.

For better or worse, the way a person looks does, in fact, have a bearing on how they feel about themselves. Studies have shown a very strong correlation between how a person rates their outer appearance, and how high they rate their self-esteem.

This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self esteem. The beauty industry and media often perpetuate unrealistic beauty ideals that are difficult or impossible to achieve, which can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

What are three major problems in the beauty industry? ›

Common issues with traditional makeup include waste, product contamination, and harmful ingredients. Not only can these issues impact the planet, but they can also be detrimental to your well-being, causing everything from skin irritation to more serious health issues.

The unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by media and advertising can have detrimental effects on the mental health and well-being of youth. Studies have linked exposure to idealized beauty images with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders among adolescents and young adults.

Unrealistic beauty standards

Social media platforms often feature images of people with seemingly perfect faces and bodies, often using filters and photo editing tools to enhance their appearance. This can create unrealistic beauty standards, leading to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem in both women and men.

The extensive use of photo editing in magazines, advertising, and social media creates a distorted reality where women's bodies are manipulated to appear flawless. This airbrushing can lead to unrealistic expectations, causing women to feel inadequate or pressured to achieve an impossible standard.

Consumers will choose which products to steer away from, and typically this consumer behavior is due to the association with a negative brand image campaign. Sales will immediately suffer and it will take large amounts of resources to draw those customers back into your reach.

Media and advertising wield significant influence in shaping societal perceptions of beauty, particularly regarding facial and body features. The portrayal of idealized beauty standards can have profound effects on youth, contributing to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and mental health issues.