What Is the Most Common Insecurity in Looks? Here's What Really Bothers People

The one feature people obsess over the most
If you guessed skin — bingo. Across cultures, age groups, and genders, skin issues rank super high as a source of insecurity.
Acne, acne scars, redness, dryness, wrinkles — you name it. Even people with “good skin” sometimes still don’t feel confident.
It’s probably because skin is everywhere. It’s your first impression. No hiding it (unless you wear a ski mask, which, let’s be honest, would be weirder than a breakout).
Why skin insecurities are so universal
Social media filters set unrealistic standards
Beauty industries constantly push “flawless” as the norm
Hormones, stress, diet — all affect it, and not always under your control
Honestly, it’s kind of exhausting. You wake up with one pimple, and suddenly feel like cancelling all your plans.
Body weight and shape: the long-time heavyweight of insecurities
Even though conversations around body positivity have gotten louder (and that’s awesome), body image issues are still rampant.
For women
Weight, cellulite, hip size, stomach rolls... the list goes on. And the kicker? Even super fit women can feel not “lean enough” or not “curvy enough.” It’s a lose-lose game sometimes.
For men
Yep, dudes aren’t exempt. Lots of guys worry about not having muscles, being too skinny, having a “dad bod,” or even their height (huge topic, we’ll get to that).
Smile check: teeth, lips, and the shape of your face
It’s low-key, but a lot of people hate their smile. Crooked teeth, yellowish color, thin lips, or a “weird jawline” — whatever that even means.
Some people avoid smiling in photos entirely. Or they cover their mouths when they laugh. That’s how deep this goes.
Personally, I had a friend who paid thousands to fix her bite — not because it hurt, but because she hated how her face looked when she smiled.
She’s happy now, but it shows how looks-based insecurity can drive big life choices.
Hair drama: from bald spots to frizz frenzies
Hair is a major identity marker. So yeah, people get real insecure when it doesn’t behave.
Common hair-related insecurities
Hair loss or thinning (especially for men — big confidence killer)
Frizzy, “unmanageable” texture
Greying too early
Not having the “right” hair type (which is honestly a social construct anyway)
Hair insecurity hits fast, too. One bad haircut can ruin your week. Or month. Trust me.
The silent killer: height insecurity
Height is the elephant in the room — especially for men.
You’ll rarely hear someone say it out loud, but it messes with confidence hard.
In dating apps, women openly list height preferences. In real life, shorter guys sometimes get overlooked, literally and socially.
Even tall women feel insecure — about standing out too much, towering over others in heels, etc.
And unlike weight or skin, you really can’t change your height. That powerlessness adds to the frustration.
So what does all this mean?
Honestly? Most people are insecure about something. You might think your nose is too big — someone else wishes they had your eyes.
It’s wild how we zoom in on our “flaws” while others don’t even notice.
Sure, beauty standards mess us up. Social pressure makes it worse. But maybe the trick isn’t fixing the flaw... it’s fixing the lens we see ourselves through.
And that’s not easy. But it’s worth trying.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
---|---|---|
14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.