It’s official: Eco-friendly men are more attractive
Original article updated 2/22/2022
Being a "metro man" is so passé...
Taking care of one's appearance and caring for their skin is today the daily ritual of many men. Studies have shown that hydrating the skin from the inside out as well as topically is key to slowing down the signs of early ageing in combination with a nutrient-dense diet, exercise and stress reduction practices.
The opposite sex has quickly learned to appreciate men taking care of themselves inside and out. Even though, this tends to insinuate that using skincare ranges increases femininity.
Furthermore, when it comes to environmental engagement, the role of gender has already been demonstrated in numerous studies: women are more interested in ecology than men.
Women are known to make more eco-responsible purchases and undertake more green actions than men. A fact that is already well-documented and has been referred to as the “eco gender gap” by market research firms.
A recent study published in Psychology and Marketing has revealed that men who not only take care of themselves but also show that they care for the environment seem to be more attractive to those looking for a long-term relationship. They have coined it "The green mate appeal".
The study included 1,500 Americans and the message was clear: those who were found to be more ecologically responsible were perceived to have the ideal qualities of a life partner for long-term relationships.
The study explains that these men appear to be more altruistic and faithful, but also have the perceived disposition to become good fathers. And using skincare products did not result in a reduced masculinity perception. In other terms, the results showed that while “green consumption” was associated with increased femininity, it didn’t translate as reduced masculinity. The signal sent by green behaviour was deemed not to be negative but rather associated with being more desirable.
I think the message is clear. Taking care of ourselves, inside and out, is not only appreciated but it is expected. Our skin needs all the help we can give it. Although, make sure you use eco-friendly personal care products, free from toxic and hormone-disrupting ingredients. Not only will you help save the planet but you may also boost your chance of finding love.
Adapting our behaviour to align with women’s preferences could be another incentive for men to further commit to the environmental cause and help protect nature, and all of us united as part of nature.
A win-win situation, if you'd ask me.
Source:
Borau, S. Elgaaied-Gambier, L. Barbarossa, C. (2020). The green mate appeal: Men’s pro-environmental consumption is an honest signal of commitment to their partner. Psychology & Marketing. doi:10.1002/mar.21321. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mar.21321. Last accessed 17-Sep-2020