The faux tan-lines beauty trend is more problematic than you might think
When I first stumbled upon an article dubbing the fake sunburnt looks at Di Petsa’s SS25 Fashion Week show as ‘sexy’ and ‘all the rage’ [September, 2024], I enjoyed reading a smart and forward-thinking piece of beauty journalism. After all, the looks are gorgeous, and we’ve recently seen faux tan lines rise in the contemporary beauty space, with the likes of Addison Rae sporting a similar look in a Perfect magazine editorial shoot and even Fenty Beauty fronting an inclusive campaign featuring similar art.
That said, after mulling over the looks, what differentiates the Rae and RiRi faux tan line styles from the makeup at the Di Petsa show is the perpetuation of unhealthy tanning (read: burning) and lack of practising proper sun protection. Trivial, much? On first thoughts, maybe – but delving deeper, skin safety should never be seen as frivolous.
As authorities in the fashion and beauty industries, it goes without saying that designers, makeup artists, media brands, influencers and publications hold a duty of care; acting responsibly for the benefit of consumers is at the core of what we all do. And collectively, with mass digital reaches, improper promotion of the cosmetics industry and more importantly, skin health is, at the baseline, irresponsible.
Of course, in this instance, the burnt looks have been achieved with makeup and while we’re all for experimental beauty (trust me, I am so down for creativity in the world of makeup and haircare), it’s important to question when beauty toes the line between beautiful and botched. Because together, botched beauty and more specifically, intentionally botched skin ain’t cute.
So, with this in mind, Cosmopolitan UK spoke to representatives at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association Limited (CTPA), a credible voice in the British cosmetics industry, to gauge whether or not such looks really are ‘all the rage’ or, whether they can spiral into detrimental and harmful trends.
“This trend is very worrying,” a representative of the CTPA tells us. “It suggests that being sunburnt is glamorous and could encourage people to actually get burned by the sun in order to be on-trend.” Arguably, Fashion Week is one of, if not thee biggest moment in the yearly fashion calendar and so, all influential eyes are looking to the runways – including Petsa’s – for upcoming trends. Therefore, this problem lies with its association with being fashionable.
Continuing, one representative of the CTPA brings us back to basics, touching on why burnt skin isn’t ‘all the rage’. “Recent Cancer Research UK (CRUK) statistics state that non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer by far and Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer overall in the UK.
“The number of people diagnosed with melanoma in the UK has increased over the last few decades. The risk of melanoma increases with age and is therefore more common in older people. However, CRUK also says that compared with most other cancer types, melanoma is also quite common in younger people. We know that most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun, and again CRUK notes that UV light is the main environmental factor that increases the risk of developing melanoma.”
Sunscreen manufacturers have their own consumer sun campaigns; the dermatology community is also an important and vocal advocate on the importance of sun protection; additionally, other healthcare providers and charities, including Cancer Research UK, promote sun-safe actions. The CTPA are “proud to contribute to the public health communication effort with its annual sun protection campaign, where we share with the general public some important information about how to enjoy the sun safely as we enter the warmer season,” the representative shares.
Echoing the association's thoughts, Dr Emma Meredith, Director-General of the CTPA and a pharmacist, says: “I am extremely disappointed and concerned by any trend that seeks to promote sunburn or make it appear acceptable to get burnt in the sun. Sunburn is not trendy – it is damaging.
“I would urge people to treat the sun with respect and to enjoy it safely. I also believe glamorising sun-damaged skin, whether real or fake, is completely irresponsible.”
So, despite the trends or what your TikTok FYP recommends, it's important to do your own research, listen to the experts and promote trends responsibly, plz!
Cosmopolitan UK has reached out to representatives of Di Petsa for comment.
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