Improving our appearance makes us better contributors to society
A surprising study by Tel Aviv University researchers:
image:
Prof. Danit Ein-Gar
view moreCredit: Israel Hadari, Tel Aviv Universit
- The researchers found that when we invest in our appearance and feel we look better—whether in reality, online, or even just in our imagination—we behave more kindly and are twice as likely to donate to charity.
Does the global beauty trend have positive social aspects as well? A new study from Tel Aviv University shows that people who make an effort to improve their appearance—whether this effort is real or imagined, in the physical world or on social media—act more kindly towards others and are twice as likely to donate to charity.
The surprising study was led by Dr. Natalia Kononov, who completed her doctorate under the supervision of Prof. Danit Ein-Gar at the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University and is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, conducted in collaboration with Prof. Ein-Gar and Prof. Stefano Puntoni of Wharton, was published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing.
“When we enhance our appearance and feel beautiful—for example, after a fresh haircut—we behave in a more socially conscious manner,” explains Prof. Ein-Gar. “Why? Because we feel as though all eyes are on us, that we’re drawing attention, and so we strive to act better. It’s easy to criticize the selfie generation, constantly beautifying themselves and sharing polished photos, but we demonstrate a side effect of this behavior that can benefit society. People who feel good about their appearance can channel that feeling into good deeds.”
To test their hypothesis, the researchers conducted a series of experiments, some in virtual settings and others in a laboratory. In one lab experiment, participants were asked to use a filter to enhance a selfie they had taken. A control group, meanwhile, was asked to enhance a photo of an object in the room.
“The experimental group consisted of 50 participants, as did the control group,” Prof. Ein-Gar explains. “After viewing their enhanced photo, each participant collected an envelope with their payment in cash. Next to the payment envelope there was a donation box, so participants could voluntarily donate some or all of their payment. We observed that members of the experimental group, who saw themselves as more attractive, donated up to twice as much as those in the control group. It’s enough to imagine ourselves as more attractive—even just envisioning a more polished digital version of ourselves—to encourage prosocial behavior. This insight has significant practical implications. Until now, research has focused on the appearance of the donation seekers—whether the recipient or the fundraiser—and indeed, more attractive fundraisers have been found to raise more money. Our study introduces another relevant factor: the donor’s appearance. This opens the door to innovative strategies for streamlining charity campaigns, such as partnering with cosmetic companies, hairdressers, and beauty salons—for everyone’s benefit.”
One of the most surprising experiments was conducted virtually, on Facebook. Clicking on a link randomly directed users to one of two “know yourself” questionnaires. The control group’s questionnaire asked about preferred architectural styles, while the experimental group’s questionnaire included questions about fashion styles and was designed to make respondents imagine themselves at their most attractive moments, such as envisioning themselves dressed up for a fancy social event. At the end of the questionnaire, a seemingly unrelated pop-up appeared with a link to a donation page. About 7% of respondents who answered the “beauty” questionnaire clicked on the donation link, compared to approximately 2% of those who answered the architectural questionnaire—a particularly impressive figure considering the average click-through rate on Facebook links is just 0.9%.
Dr. Natalia Kononov
Credit
Tel Aviv University
“Our society is obsessively focused on physical appearance while simultaneously criticizing this superficial behavior,” says Dr. Kononov. “People who are appearance-focused are often judged harshly, but we show that this behavior can have positive spillover effects that benefit others. Social mechanisms may evolve to create some balance, where behaviors that serve the individual are accompanied by byproducts that contribute to the greater good. “
Link to the article:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167811624000831?via%3Dihub
Journal
International Journal of Research in Marketing
DOI
10.1016/j.ijresmar.2024.09.001
Self-assembling proteins can be used for higher performance, more sustainable skincare products
NYU Tandon School of Engineering
If you have a meticulous skincare routine, you know that personal skincare products (PSCPs) are a big business. The PSCP industry will reach $74.12 billion USD by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 8.64%. With such competition, companies are always looking to engineer themselves an edge, producing products that perform better without the downsides of current offerings.
In a new study published in ACS Applied Polymer Materials from the lab of Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Jin Kim Montclare, researchers have created a novel protein-based gel as a potential ingredient in sustainable and high-performance PSCPs. This protein-based material, named Q5, could transform the rheological — or flow-related — properties of PSCPs, making them more stable under the slightly acidic conditions of human skin. This innovation could also streamline the creation of more eco-friendly skincare products, offering increased efficacy and durability while addressing market demands for ethically sourced ingredients.
Personal skincare products, ranging from beauty cosmetics to medical creams, rely on sophisticated “chassis” formulations — often emulsions or gels — to effectively deliver active ingredients. The performance of these products depends heavily on the stability and responsiveness of their chassis under various environmental conditions, particularly pH.
Current formulations often rely on ingredients such as polysaccharides or synthetic polymers to achieve the desired texture, stability, and compatibility with skin's natural pH, which is mildly acidic (most human skin has a pH of between 5.4–5.9). However, these traditional rheological modifiers have raised environmental concerns regarding sourcing and sustainability.
To take on this challenge, Montclare and her colleagues fabricated a self-assembling coiled-coil protein they call Q5. In the study, Q5 demonstrated impressive pH stability. The protein's unique structure enables it to form strong gels that do not degrade easily under acidic conditions, enhancing the longevity and performance of skincare products.This resilience marks a significant improvement over earlier protein-based gels, which typically disassemble in lower pH environments.
Notably, the research suggests that Q5 could be produced sustainably via bacterial or yeast fermentation, circumventing the ethical and ecological issues associated with animal-derived proteins or synthetic polymers. The protein’s natural amphiphilicity — its ability to attract and retain moisture — also enables it to bind various molecules, adding versatility as a moisturizer or binding agent in skincare products.
The research suggests that these protein-based rheological modifiers like Q5 could soon become a valuable component in the next generation of high-performance skincare products, helping brands meet consumer demand for sustainable beauty solutions without compromising on quality or functionality.
About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering is home to a community of renowned faculty, undergraduate and graduate students united in a mission to understand and create technology that powers cities, enables worldwide communication, fights climate change, and builds healthier, safer, and more equitable real and digital worlds. The school’s culture centers on encouraging rigorous, interdisciplinary collaboration and research; fostering inclusivity, entrepreneurial thinking, and diverse perspectives; and creating innovative and accessible pathways for lifelong learning in STEM. NYU Tandon dates back to 1854, the founding year of both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, NYU Tandon is a vital part of New York University and its unparalleled global network. For more information, visit engineering.nyu.edu.
Journal
ACS Applied Polymer Materials
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Recombinant Fibrous Protein Gels as Rheological Modifiers in Skin Ointments
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