She’s effortlessly chic. Fresh from her Pilates class, sporting perfectly coordinated pink fitness gear, and clutching an iced matcha latte in her flawlessly manicured hands. Her hair is slicked back into a neat ponytail, and delicate gold hoops dangle from her dainty earlobes. She is the glass-skinned, glossy-lipped, vanilla-scented entity known as the “clean girl.”
I’ve never been one to follow fashion or beauty trends, but occasionally, one manages to catch my attention, usually for all the wrong reasons. As a skincare enthusiast, I first encountered the clean girl trend when it was newly popular just a few years ago. I didn’t take much notice at first, but as I continued to research skincare, I soon became aware of just how problematic this seemingly innocent trend really was.
Today, we’re breaking down the dirty details of the clean girl aesthetic.
What Is Clean Girl?
Originating in the early 2020s and popularized by socialite-turned-skincare-entrepreneur Hailey Bieber, the clean girl aesthetic features a minimalist and natural look, centered on flawless, dewy skin, subtle makeup, and sleek, well-groomed hair. The trend also includes a polished, understated wardrobe of well-fitting, neutral-colored clothing and simple accessories. Additionally, the aesthetic promotes a holistic lifestyle that emphasizes healthy habits like exercise and “clean” eating.
Clean Girl Skincare
As mentioned, clean girl beauty emphasizes minimal makeup and a skincare routine that prioritizes radiant, healthy skin for a polished yet natural look. It’s not about applying a full face of heavy makeup; instead, it’s about achieving a fresh, hydrated, and well-cared-for complexion.
Sounds refreshingly harmless, right? Not so fast.
One of the trend’s main components is “glass skin,” that fresh, dewy, and perfectly poreless look that is unrealistic and unachievable for so many of us. Chasing glass skin can be physically harmful by encouraging fussy skincare routines and excessive product use. Over-exfoliation, over-hydration, and adverse interaction of multiple active ingredients can damage the skin barrier, cause irritation, and lead to other skin issues.
The truth is that glass skin isn’t natural, nor is it a reflection of actual skin health. It’s an illusion created by influencers, makeup artists, photo editors, and digital filters. And let’s not forget that many individuals pushing the glass skin ideal often have access to expensive facial treatments and cosmetic enhancements they would be unwilling to admit to.
Clean Girl Makeup
While the clean girl aesthetic totes a minimalist approach to makeup, it may surprise you to learn just how much makeup goes into achieving the look. After all, glowy foundation, dewy cream blush, concealer, lipliner, lip gloss, fluttery eyelashes, and perfectly fluffed brows aren’t nothing. Ironically, it’s a lot of time, money, and effort to put into something that, ultimately, is supposed to look like nothing.
The Backlash
Unfortunately, the problems with the clean girl aesthetic go beyond otherworldly skin and perfect, barely there makeup. The backlash against the “clean girl” rightfully criticizes its classist, racist, and exclusionary nature, arguing that it promotes an unattainable and whitewashed standard of beauty. While presented as natural and effortless, the aesthetic is heavily curated and requires significant resources.
Additionally, the aesthetic creates a culture of constant consumption by promoting a long list of specific, expensive products and lifestyle items as “must-haves.” This fuels a cycle of buying into microtrends rather than celebrating individual style.
In terms of mental health, the emphasis on perfection and an effortless facade creates undue pressure and feelings of inadequacy among those who cannot achieve this lifestyle. The constant comparison that results has been linked to anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia.
Final Thoughts
The good news is that we seem to be reaching the tail end of the clean girl trend. With more adventurous (yet equally ridiculous) fashion and beauty trends like “mob wife” and “tired girl” arriving on the scene, we can all breathe a well-deserved sigh of relief.
But even as these new aesthetics emerge, I encourage readers to embrace the outlook that beauty, especially good skincare, is never something that can be achieved solely through following trends. It requires knowledge, good instincts, self-acceptance, and consistent dedication to what works for you.