Beauty should only ever be a source of confidence, not anxiety. But Jess Wiener, Cultural expert for the Dove Self-Esteem Project, knows that the photoshopped images we see in the media aren’t just unattainable – they’re harmful, too. “Viewing unrealistic and unachievable beauty images creates an unattainable goal which leads to feelings of failure,” she told us. “This is especially true of young girls who have grown up in a world of filters and airbrushing.”
The ‘No Digital Distortion’ Mark is a continuation of our Real Beauty Pledge: our commitment to always portray women as they are in real life – and never using the manipulated, unachievable images of ‘perfect’ beauty created by image distortion. The ‘No Digital Distortion’ Mark tells you that the women featured in our images are just as you’d see them in real life, with no alterations to their body’s shape or size – because they’re 100% beautiful as they are.
Growing up with filtered, manipulated images means never knowing what’s real. In fact, our Global Beauty and Confidence Report (2016) revealed that 77% of women think all the images they see in the media have been digitally distorted. Even so, 69% of women say the pressure to reach those impossible standards, makes them feel anxious about their appearance, too.
Through the Dove Self Esteem Project, we’re helping millions of young people around the world to question what they see in the media, and become more aware of what’s real and what isn’t. But it shouldn’t fall on young people to critique what they see. Dr Phillippa Diedrechs, a Body Image Expert, wants more transparency on both sides. “Brands can do more to showcase reality and take this unnecessary pressure away. By doing so, we can have a positive impact on the lives of young girls.”
Find out the rules of our ‘No Digital Distortion’ Mark (PDF) (152 KB).
Discover more of our Dove Self Esteem Project tools here. Read more about our Real Beauty Pledge here.
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
I have accomplished things that I am proud of and that is what gives me my confidence and my beauty."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
You aren’t meant to fade into the background."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
Your worth has nothing to do with your weight."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
It was only when I realized that what makes you different and unique also makes you beautiful, that’s when my confidence grew."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
My beauty routine starts with embracing my own natural beauty and its uniqueness."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
Real beauty to me means challenging yourself to do the things you can’t and showing yourself kindness along the way."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
I have stopped trying so hard to fit in - my beautiful personality is written all over my face and that’s the only beauty I need."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
I learned that beauty is from the heart, it’s all about kindness."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
I don't often see dark skin in the media, and skin conditions even less so. I want everyone to see that being a Black woman with vitiligo is a source of resilience and pride."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
I want to shatter the stereotype that I need breasts to look like a woman. Choosing to live flat after my mastectomy has made be stronger and more confidenand that's truly beautiful."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
I've carried three babies in this belly, and earned every grey hair. I want all mothers to see that their bodies are perfect just the way they are."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
There's a lot of pressure for women to 'act their age'. I want to show that aging means continually growing and experiencing life beautifully."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
Femininity is often depicted as a formula - cut your hair like this, wear that. To me, it's about loving yourself fearlessly for who you are."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
Growing up, I never saw women wearing hijabs in media & advertising. Now girls can see me, achieving my career goals and defining beauty on my own terms."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
I grew up surrounded by narrow ideas about how a woman should look and what she could be. I’ve overcome those limits and make no apologies for embracing my ambition and my natural beauty."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
I'm not worried about fitting into anyone else's ideas of beauty. As a brown-skinned multi-media creator, I want to redefine beauty to include all of us in the melanin pride community."
YOUR DAILY DOSE OF DOVE LOVE
Women with Alopecia often feel that baldness will hold them back from realizing their full personal and professional potential. Showing the beauty of bald women helps open doors for us to opportunities that others take for granted."