dermorexia en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek δέρμᾰ (dérmă)der. New Latinder. English dermo- English anorexia blend English dermorexia Blend of dermo- (“skin”) + anorexia.
Meanings
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(uncountable) Synonym of cosmeticorexia.
Cosmeticorexia (also called dermorexia) can be defined as a culturally reinforced preoccupation with attaining “flawless” skin that drives excessive, age/gender-inappropriate, or compulsive use of cosmetic products and procedures (e.g., multistep antiaging routines, early use of retinoids/alpha-hydroxy acids, injectables).
[2026 March, Alberto Stefana, Giovanni Damiani, “Cosmeticorexia: What It Is, Where It Comes from, and Why It Matters”, in Dermatology and therapy, volume 16, number 3, →DOI, page 1446:I think it’s time to name the condition this piece describes (extensive anti-aging skincare routines at 12, teens consulting dermatologists about cosmetic procedures). Dermorexia? Obsessive Cosmetic Disorder?
2023 November 17, Jessica DeFino, “The Kids Cosmetic Market Is Not Alright”, in Flesh World, archived from the original on 06 Dec 2023:Beauty critic Jessica DeFino recently suggested we should consider introducing a medical term, dermorexia, to describe those engaging in “obsessive behaviours” related to skin care. ¶ Likening it to orthorexia, a term used to describe an excessive preoccupation with eating healthy food, she argued, “The same is happening with beauty today. It warrants medical attention.”
2025 May 16, “Dermorexia: ‘My pursuit of clear skin has cost me time, money and pain, but how far is too far?’”, in Irish Examiner, Cork: