VIDEO: Are you going make-up free during lockdown?

Lockdown is making people feel more confident about going make-up free.

A study of 2,000 adults found more than a quarter have felt comfortable looking natural while on video calls during the current pandemic.

And a further 34 per cent have even taken more care of their skin than usual.

Of the younger 18-24 demographic, 39 per cent have felt less pressure to look a certain way while isolated at home and more than a quarter will be more confident in embracing their natural look once lockdown is lifted.

It also emerged 18-24 year olds feel most strongly about influencers, with 31 per cent feeling empowered when they see natural images of those in the spotlight, compared to just 14 per cent of 45-55 year olds.

As a result of the study, commissioned by Skin Proud, people are being encouraged to share their proud skin moments on social media with the hashtag #Iamskinproud.

Nora Zukauskaite, global head of marketing at Skin Proud, said: “We should all be embracing our skin, because ultimately that is what makes us who we are.

“We want to encourage people to feel proud of every freckle and mole – there are no filters here at Skin Proud, after all there is no better natural glow than confidence.

“Everyone has unique skin and therefore different skincare needs, whether you need to inject targeted moisture or control excess oil, there is an innovation to suit every skin type within our range.”

The research also found 81 per cent of women wear make-up an average of four days a week and 12 per cent of men also turn to the cosmetic products on at least three days.

Of those make-up wearers, 32 per cent would confidently share a bare-faced photo.

And during the current lockdown period, 69 per cent have been wearing less make-up than usual.

An eighth of make-up wearers would feel confident going on a date without any cosmetics on, with a quarter happy to show the real them at work and 45 per cent when shopping.

A further three quarters of adults actually feel comfortable in their own skin – despite social pressures to look ‘perfect’.

This is the case for 73 per cent of women and eight in 10 men.

And while than two thirds of those polled prefer their ‘natural look’ a further 65 per cent also favour this on others.

And while four in five adults believe it’s important for younger generations to grow up being proud of their skin, three quarters said everyone should celebrate both perfections and imperfections.

A fifth of those polled, via OnePoll, said they personally embrace their natural freckles and 12 per cent do so with blemishes.

For inspiration, mums and partners were found to inspire respondents to celebrate their bare skin and a quarter said they encourage themselves.