Hannah Waddingham has become the focus of an online beauty debate after a new Paula's Choice skincare advertisement featuring the actress was criticised by Reddit users who said her appearance looked heavily filtered.
The 52-year-old Ted Lasso star fronts Paula's Choice's campaign for its new Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Intensive Moisturizer, with the campaign unveiled on 15 September. An image from the campaign shared on Reddit quickly prompted discussion, with commenters questioning the apparent smoothing of Waddingham's skin.
One user said the editing was particularly noticeable because they admired Waddingham for showing her natural skin texture and lines.
The comments reflect viewers' perceptions of the campaign image rather than established facts about how it was produced. Paula's Choice has not publicly confirmed whether the photograph was digitally filtered or retouched.
Fans Question 'Very Filtered' Campaign Image
The discussion began after the Paula's Choice campaign image was shared in the r/popculturechat community, where users focused on what they perceived as extensive digital smoothing.
'But this is clearly filtered because what I love about her so much is that she shows off her texture and lines etc, never filters but always looks flawless,' one Reddit user wrote.
The commenter continued: 'This isn't flawless this is fake and I hate it.'
Another user agreed with the assessment, writing: 'The ad is very filtered.'
A third added: 'I know! She's so gorgeous, she doesn't need a filter. It makes the brand look cheap and sus too.'
Other users similarly praised Waddingham while questioning how she was presented in the advertisement. The discussion centred on whether the apparent editing was consistent with the actress's familiar public appearance.
However, the claims about filtering remain the commenters' interpretation of the image. There is no confirmation in the Reddit discussion that Paula's Choice used a particular filter or specific digital retouching technique.
Images used in beauty campaigns can involve professional lighting, photography and post-production, but the extent of any editing to Waddingham's image has not been publicly established.
Waddingham Fronts New Paula's Choice Launch
Waddingham was announced as the star of Paula's Choice's latest campaign alongside the launch of its Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Intensive Moisturizer.
The brand has positioned the campaign around the message that intensity can be a positive quality, with Waddingham saying she was 'absolutely delighted' to partner with Paula's Choice.
Paula's Choice describes the moisturiser as its sixth peptide-powered innovation and second moisturiser in its peptide portfolio. The formula features a three-part Pro-Collagen Peptide Complex, Red Micro-Algae Extract and Moisture-Locking Lipid Technology, with the brand promoting it as a product designed to hydrate and replenish the skin.
The company has also said the formula provides hydration for up to 120 hours and leaves skin looking instantly plumper, smoother and more replenished.
Waddingham has become widely recognised for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso, while her red-carpet appearances have also made her a familiar figure in beauty and fashion coverage.
Her involvement gives the campaign a recognisable face, but the Reddit discussion has shifted attention towards how that face has been presented in the advertisement.
For commenters who appreciate Waddingham's natural skin texture, the apparent smoothing has raised questions about authenticity in skincare advertising, particularly in a campaign promoting a product designed to improve the appearance and feel of skin.
Paula's Choice has not publicly addressed the Reddit criticism or confirmed the extent of any digital retouching used in the campaign image. The company did, however, issue a correction to its 15 September press release stating that an updated image had been included, without establishing any connection between the change and the Reddit discussion.
