The second edition of the Radiografía de la belleza 2026 report, produced by Natura and Cadem, surveyed 700 Chilean women and found that 83% prioritize feeling good about themselves, though 62% see society valuing appearance more. Generation Z women face the highest pressure from physical standards, despite criticizing them.
The report highlights a generational gap: 51% of women aged 18 to 24 feel significant personal pressure over their appearance, compared to just 5% among older women. Four in ten young women link "looking good" to physical attractiveness, amplified by social media.
On aging, 90% believe beauty should encompass all ages, but 80% say Chilean society penalizes looking older, with peak pressure between ages 30 and 50. "Silver beauty," such as embracing gray hair, creates cultural tensions.
Migrant women report less pressure: 77% view beauty as more diverse, versus 56% of Chilean women. Montserrat Copaja, Quantitative Studies Manager at Cadem, stated: “We can say that women are changing their scale of values, while society lags one or several steps behind.”
These findings illustrate how women are redefining beauty around emotional well-being and mental health, yet face enduring societal resistances.
