During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom and other types of video conferencing applications became the standard.
According to Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, the use of video conferencing platforms skyrocketed, and people stared at their own faces more than ever before. Along with close-up views, came increased interest in achieving the best-looking skin and hair. Many people went back to the basics, such as cleanser, exfoliator, moisturizer and sunscreen.
A 2021 report published in Global Cosmetic Industry, stated being on Zoom impacted our culture in numerous ways especially “how we see ourselves.” The all-day Zoom factor made us hyperaware of how we look, leading to uses of self-image.
Since Zoom is now used as a standard for professional and personal communication, people are now more conscious of their backdrops, skin preferences, appearances and outlook than ever before. Many people started investing in beauty products and at-home cosmetic treatments after becoming hyperaware of how they look on screens.
The so-called “ZITT effect” referring to Zoom, Instagram and TikTok, was coined during a dermatology conference and became one of the biggest growth igniters for the beauty category, explained Richard Passwater, medical education director at Belgium-based Bio Minerals NV (doing business as Biosil).
Now, even several years after the pandemic, with people returning to the office and life slowly getting back to normal, the interest in how we look on screens continues to grow.
