Cosmeticorexia: When nothing is ever enough to look perfect

We live in the age of immediacy, where perfection is bought, sold, downloaded; in short: consumed. Smooth skin, glow, sculpted features… everything is possible with a couple of clicks, a ten-step routine and the magic of a good filter. But what happens when the obsession for perfection turns into an endless cycle of dissatisfaction? Welcome to cosmeticorexia: the distorted reflection of an industry that makes us believe that nothing is ever enough.

The algorithm of discontent

Cosmeticorexia is not an official medical term, but it is a reflection of a growing problem of obsession with image. Natalia Romero Martín (@psico_nat), a health psychologist and EMDR therapist specializing in anxiety disorders, trauma and self-esteem, defines it as “the pathological obsession with cosmetic products and aesthetic procedures, driven by a constant dissatisfaction with one’s own appearance”. A labyrinth of consumption where the promise of ‘poreless skin’ is never fulfilled, and where the latest miracle serum becomes the next forgotten product on the dressing table.

Natalia Romero Martín explains it clearly: “Human beings have a social nature, we want to fit in and feel that we have a group to belong to. If what we see in RRSS are perfect skins, tricks to get them, advertising lots of products … all this is making a dent, so it becomes difficult to feel comfortable in your skin when the sociocultural context, consumerist and unattainable canons of beauty, continually tells you that you are not good in your natural skin”.

Social media has turned beauty into a digital religion. The mantra is clear: if you don’t look flawless, it’s because you’re not trying hard enough. Constant exposure to retouched images, filters that slim, brighten and blur imperfections, and influencers recommending their tenth eye contour of the month reinforces a sense of constant inadequacy. Skin is never radiant enough, lips are never plump enough, and age is simply a taboo subject.

The trap of commercialized imperfection

As the conversation about ideal beauty expands, attempts to make the “real” visible emerge, but even this becomes a double-edged sword. Many influencers have decided to show their imperfections as an act of rebellion against imposed standards. However, this exposure is often followed by the solution in the form of a product that promises to eliminate them. The underlying narrative is not acceptance, but correction. What should be a vindication of diversity ends up being another marketing strategy, and we end up replicating the formulas used by our favorite content creators, seeking to “be valued not for who we are, but for how we look.”

What used to be the norm – textured skin, occasional acne or signs of fatigue – is now seen as exceptional, worthy of being pointed out and corrected. The supposed “normalization” of imperfection continues to reinforce the idea that it must ultimately be improved. Society has learned to value aesthetics over authenticity, rewarding appearance over content. And so, we are back to square one: the pressure to fit a mold, even if the mold has changed shape.

And so, the cult of beauty has gone from being an option to a requirement. As Romero Martín comments, “in all cases, the common factor is external pressure and internal insecurity”, but cosmeticorexia especially affects teenagers, a group that seeks external validation in every ‘like’. For them, image is their calling card and their bargaining chip. The comparison is instantaneous and the pressure is overwhelming. They are not the only ones affected by the obsession with image, though. Adult women and men looking to defy time and stay within the social and professional marketplace also fall into the paradigm. From baby botox to wood therapy, the catalog of solutions is endless. And yet, the dissatisfaction is still there. Because when self-esteem is built on appearance, any slight imperfection can turn into an identity crisis.

The dangers of cosmetic addiction

Spending hundreds of euros on creams, treatments and procedures is not only a vanity issue, but also a mental health issue. Emotional dependence on cosmetics generates anxiety, insecurity and frustration. The person feels that she cannot show herself without a layer of concealer or the right highlighter. Their reflection in the mirror becomes a battlefield where there is always something to improve, something to change, something to hide.

In addition, the need to look flawless can lead to impulsive and risky decisions. Aggressive cosmetic treatments, excessive use of inappropriate products and constant intervention on the skin can cause irreversible damage. What started as a beautifying game ends in a loop of dissatisfaction that even the best foundation can’t cover.

Is there a way out? Yes, but it requires a complete reconfiguration of how we understand beauty. Limiting the consumption of content that reinforces unrealistic standards, following accounts that promote body diversity and self-acceptance, and questioning the narrative that pushes us to invest in miracle products that promise the unattainable. Natalia Romero Martín insists that “the healthiest relationship with personal image can also come from removing weight, that is, removing weight from that image to promote skills, values and achievements beyond the physical”.

Sydney Sweeney’s secret to perfect skin: Laneige Bouncy & Firm serum.