Shereene IdrissBoard Certified Derm, Founder and Chief Nerd

“Women wanting younger-looking skin is just internalized misogyny”

21 Jul 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:04

In this YouTube monologue, Shereene Idriss critiques the societal double standard that treats teenage acne with compassion while shaming older adults—especially women—who seek to care for their skin. She argues that skin health is deeply linked to confidence and mental well‑being, not merely vanity, and highlights how gendered expectations create internalized misogyny that discourages women from wanting younger‑looking skin. Idriss uses personal anecdotes, a grandmother’s metaphor, and a call for universal respect for individuals’ choices to feel comfortable in their own skin at any age.

Chapters

That is another contradiction that I cannot ignore. We never shame teenagers, for example, for wanting to treat their acne because we understand that your skin can affect your confidence and your mental well-being. Of course there is— it is a good point. And so we treat it with compassion. But why does that compassion disappear not just as we age but also based on our gender? Because why, as a teenager, do we applaud them if they're trying to seek help because they want healthier skin, because acne is a disease, but while an older adult is completely criticized for wanting to preserve the largest organ of their body. Skin has always been deeply connected to how we feel about ourselves, and it is not just vanity, it is humanity. And my grandmother said it best: would you rather age in a wrinkled shirt or in an ironed shirt? Sorry. And the goal has never been about protection, it is purely about confidence. And yes, confidence comes from the inside, but the outside can absolutely boost your inner confidence. And everyone, regardless of age, deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin and on their own terms.