By SWNS Staff
New research found 62% of Americans are prioritizing the needs of others and neglecting their own mental health.
The survey polled 2,000 Americans about their mental health and the relationship they have with their self-confidence and found just over half (54%) agreed they’re better at caring for others’ mental health needs than their own.
Three in five respondents also agreed that one thing, in particular, has a big impact on their self-confidence and mental health – their skin.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Mederma for Mental Health Awareness Month, the survey found 54% of respondents struggle to find time for self-love and self-care.
Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed said they’ve even had social anxiety due to bad skin in the past. In fact, back in the pre-quarantine days, 61% of respondents said they’d skip events altogether instead of going through the hassle of dealing with skin issues and insecurities.
Some of the top skin insecurities respondents cited ranged from acne scars to surgical scars to stretch marks. Of the 87% of respondents who reported having scars, half said they used to hate their scars and that their scars negatively affected their self-confidence in the past.
Over half of those surveyed describe themselves as the hypeman or hypewoman of their friend group that always boosts everyone else’s confidence – yet 54% struggle to get past their own insecurities to feel more confident in themselves.
Even though Americans have struggled with their insecurities and self-confidence in the past, the pandemic this past year has helped them in unexpected ways.
Sixty-four percent of those surveyed said a silver lining to the time at home was the opportunity to embrace their insecurities – and 52% have started to feel more confident in themselves.
“When we were creating our new ‘You Are More Than Your Scar’ campaign, it was inspiring to see that every scar has a story, and more importantly, people often fight silent battles with their marks and scars,” said HRA Pharma America, President, Bradley Meeks. “This survey has shown that skin insecurities affect everyone and feeling confident in the skin you’re in has a strong connection to mental health.”
For those with scars specifically, 62% shared they’ve started wearing their scars with pride as they’ve realized the scars are part of who they are today.
With these struggles and journeys in mind, it’s no surprise that when respondents have a good skin day – 66% agreed they can take on the world.
Half of the respondents feel so confident in themselves today they’d post an unfiltered selfie on social media, and 42% shared they’re more likely to join work video calls sans-makeup compared to the past.
Respondents were also asked what they’d be willing to do if they could have perfect skin for life and the top answers included canceling Netflix and never using a smartphone again for the rest of their lives.
A quarter of respondents would even forfeit a full year’s worth of pay if they could have perfect skin forever.
“Whether you have scars or not, skin insecurities of any kind affect people both physically and mentally, but they don’t have to,” said Jing. “It’s important to Mederma that men and women embrace and care for their perceived insecurities, because they make us who we are.”
TOP INSECURITIES AMERICANS HAVE
- Acne scars – 32%
- Stretch marks – 30%
- Cuts – 27%
- Acne – 25%
- Burns – 24%
- Surgery scars – 22%
- Fine lines/wrinkles – 21%
- Cellulite – 19%
- Beauty marks – 14%
- Freckles – 13%
- Dark circles – 12%
- Scars – 8%
TOP THINGS AMERICANS WOULD DO TO HAVE PERFECT SKIN FOR LIFE
- Cancel their Netflix subscription for life – 34%
- Never use a smartphone again for the rest of their life – 33%
- Only eat oatmeal for one year – 31%
- Give up their favorite food for the rest of their life – 27%
- Forfeit a year’s worth of pay – 26%
- Give up sex for one year – 22%
- Give up coffee for one year – 22%
- Not speak to their family for the rest of their life – 8%
