Men More Likely To Define Their Skin Type as Normal

A wide gender gap is opening up in the United States when it comes to perceived skin type - more specifically to having normal skin. Men in fact are saying their skin is "normal" much more frequently than women do.

According to a recent survey by Statista Consumer Insights, 39 percent of men rate their skin type as "normal" - compared to just 24 percent of women. At the same time, women also describe their skin as "dry" (36 percent) or "sensitive" (34 percent) more often than men do (31 percent and 28 percent, respectively).

Significant differences are also evident in specific skin characteristics such as redness, dark circles under the eyes or skin producing allergic reactions. Women are 50 percent more likely to report being prone to dark circles as well as discoloration/hyper-pigmentation.

These differences cannot be explained solely by biological factors. Perception plays a central role – and this is strongly influenced by social norms and the advertising industry. While products for men are often advertised with terms like all-in-one or "for all skin types," skin care advertising for women often focuses on problem areas, imperfections and the need for correction. As a result, women develop a more differentiated – and often more critical – image of their skin.