Breaking Free from Toxic Beauty Standards
By Madeline Smith
After understanding the roots of unrealistic beauty standards and the mental toll they can take, the next step is learning how to rebuild a healthier, more compassionate relationship with our bodies. Developing a positive self-image doesn’t happen overnight, but there are powerful strategies that can help—from practicing self-affirmations to becoming more media literate and intentionally surrounding ourselves with diverse, inclusive representations of beauty.
In recent years, many influencers, brands, and social movements have begun to challenge narrow ideals and promote authenticity over perfection. Their efforts, along with the rise of supportive online communities, are creating spaces where teens and young adults can feel seen, accepted, and empowered.
The most popular method for many is simply to talk to someone. Research has shown that those who are provided with a website or a phone number for mental health resources often use them (Foscolos, 2025). Healing begins in connection, and feeling heard can be the first step toward recovery and developing a healthier mindset regarding how we look.
There are also ads and campaigns aimed at improving the beauty industry. More modeling companies are including a diverse model pool, and movies and TV shows feature a wide range of body types and faces. This has slowly begun to encourage a more open-minded view and alter societal behaviors when it comes to body image.
In 2023, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned after a six-year hiatus, having undergone a full rebrand. Women applauded the brand for the rebrand, and the runway show now features women of all skin tones and body shapes. This shift in representation isn’t just symbolic—it’s powerful.
Healthy use of social media and being mindful of the type of media we consume is also a step in the right direction for building a healthier relationship with our bodies. Social media can be a powerful tool for self-expression and connection, but without intentional use, it can easily become a source of comparison, self-doubt, and anxiety. People who use healthy strategies—such as posting for their own enjoyment rather than for validation, limiting time spent scrolling, and recognizing when images or videos are heavily filtered or digitally altered—show higher self-esteem and better mental health compared to those who spend hours on social media (Vogel et al., 2014). These individuals are more likely to maintain a realistic perspective on beauty standards and feel less pressure to meet impossible ideals.
Setting boundaries with social media, curating feeds that feature diverse and uplifting content, and taking regular breaks from constant exposure to curated lives can help reinforce a more positive self-image. By choosing to interact with media in ways that support our well-being rather than harm it, we take back control over how we see ourselves and the world around us.
Cultural changes, paired with individual efforts to build self-worth, are creating a more accepting world—one where people are learning to celebrate their bodies instead of critiquing them. As teens and young adults navigate social pressures and self-image challenges, the combination of accessible mental health support, positive media representation, and real-life conversations can make a lasting impact.
Ultimately, redefining beauty starts with awareness, grows through community, and is sustained by compassion.
You don’t have to look a certain way to be enough… you already are.
References
Vogel, E. A., Rose, J. P., Roberts, L. R., & Eckles, K. (2014). Social comparison, social media, and self-esteem. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 3(4), 206–222. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000047
Foscolos, E. (2025). Reducing stigma, enhancing mental health literacy, and improving accessibility surrounding mental health resources for college students (Doctoral dissertation, Order No. AAI31555995). APA PsycInfo.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/reducing-stigma-enhancing-mental-health-literacy/docview/3129716223
Stein, J., Scheufen, S., & Appel, M. (2024). Recognizing the beauty in diversity: Exposure to body-positive content on social media broadens women’s concept of ideal body weight. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 153(11), 2642–2658. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001397