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Do you get a lot of your skincare information from TikTok? You’re not alone. TikTok has become the primary platform for skincare and beauty content, with the majority of TikTok users relying on the platform when they have a skincare question or are looking for a new trend/technique to try.
While it’s great that TikTok has made skincare so much more accessible, there’s a dark side to this revolution that many don’t see. Yes, there’s some great skincare knowledge to be found on the platform, but there’s also plenty of bad advice mixed in with this. Deciphering all of that content to differentiate between the good and the bad isn’t easy.
Want some examples? Keep reading as Lionesse explores some of the most buzz-worthy TikTok skincare trends, before sharing what dermatologists really think of each one.
The 7 Skin Method
Many of the biggest TikTok skincare trends can be traced back to South Korea, and the 7 skin method is one. This technique involves applying a hydrating toner or essence to your face…seven times in a row! Unlike double cleansing, in which two different cleansers are used, the 7 skin method makes use of only one toner, but with seven layers of it.
What Dermatologists Think
Dermatologists tend to agree that the 7 skin method could hold potential for some people. Layering a toner in this way can really enhance hydration and absorption.
However, dermatologists also warn that there are a few drawbacks to this trend. Yes, it can work well for dry and dehydrated skin. However, sensitive skin could quickly feel overloaded when seven layers of a product are applied. Oily skin could also end up clogged with that much product sitting on top of it. Of course, this trend is also time-consuming. You need to wait until each layer of your toner is mostly absorbed before you go in with the next layer.
If you’ve been thinking about giving this TikTok skincare trend a try, dermatologists recommend doing so with a gentle, hydrating toner, like the Lionesse White Pearl Skin Toner. Listen to your skin when applying each layer. If your skin feels plump and bouncy after just two or three layers, stop there rather than forcing yourself to apply seven.
Slugging
Slugging may not have a very appealing name, but it’s a trend that many TikTokers swear by. This technique is carried out in the evenings, after your nighttime skincare routine has been followed. Rather than stopping after moisturizing your skin, slugging involves applying a layer of petroleum jelly to your skin. This is then washed off the next morning.
What Dermatologists Think
Unlike many of the TikTok skincare trends out there, slugging is one that dermatologists very much support! In fact, it’s a technique that they’ve been recommending for years to people who have severely dehydrated skin or a damaged skin barrier. The occlusive layer provided by petroleum jelly locks all of your other skincare products into the skin. This prevents transepidermal water loss, enhancing the skin’s moisture retention rate.
With that said, dermatologists have noticed that many people carry this trend out incorrectly. They apply their occlusive layer immediately after cleansing. This means that there isn’t any moisture on the skin for the petroleum jelly to seal in.
Want to give slugging a try? Make sure that you fully hydrate your skin before applying your occlusive layer. Once you’ve cleansed your face, apply a hydrating serum, such as the Lionesse Morganite Transforming Serum, and then a hydrating cream, like the Diamond Neck & Face Lift Cream, before you start slugging.
Cleansing the Face With Antibacterial Hand Soap
Antibacterial hand soap became a household staple during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although its usage died down for a while, it is now making an appearance in TikTok skincare content – this time, as a facial cleanser. TikTokers are advising people to use antibacterial hand soap to cleanse their face. They claim that it leaves the skin feeling squeaky clean.
What Dermatologists Think
While dermatologists don’t argue about the fact that antibacterial hand soap can provide that squeaky clean feeling to the face, this isn’t actually a good thing whatsoever. Antibacterial soaps are designed to remove all bacteria from the skin, both the good and the bad. The good bacteria on your skin serve a number of important purposes. Clearing all of this away will severely impact your skin microbiome. This will lead to a whole host of problems in the future.
Should you try this TikTok skincare trend? Dermatologists say no. Instead, if you think your routine needs more cleansing power, they’d recommend turning to another TikTok skincare trend instead: double cleansing. Cleanse with an oil-based cleanser and then follow up with a gentle water-based cleanser, such as the Lionesse White Pearl Facial Cleanser. This will give you a thorough cleanse, but without harming your skin.
DIY Botox
While Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers are nothing new, the at-home, DIY versions certainly are! Self-injectables are now being seen all over TikTok. Purported experts claim that these injections are easy to safely administer. They could save you the time and money that you would have otherwise spent having a professional carry out the procedure. With YouTube tutorials, Botox injection maps, and plenty of tips on TikTok, it’s easy to see why people view these self-injectables as a quick fix to their skin problems.
What Dermatologists Think
Research shows that people who give self-injectables a try are often aware of the associated health risks, yet choose to ignore these, and this has left dermatologists horrified. From infections and tissue death to blindness and strokes, a lot can go wrong when you try to inject yourself with one of these solutions. This is why professionals go through rigorous training before they offer these treatments themselves.
Even more worryingly, most of the self-injection kits that are available on the market aren’t regulated. This means that you’ll never really be able to trust what you’re injecting into your skin, increasing your odds of developing issues.
While dermatologists have nothing against Botox, they highly recommend visiting a licensed professional for these treatments. If you’re looking to achieve fast results yourself at home, stick to topical products. The Lionesse White Pearl Wrinkle Reducing Syringe, for example, will smooth away the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just a few seconds, giving you a much firmer and more youthful complexion without the need for any injections.
At-Home LED Light Therapy
Another professional treatment that has now entered the DIY realm is LED light therapy. This technology has been incorporated into a wide range of at-home devices. While the devices themselves may be pricey, TikTok skincare content shows the incredible results that they’ve been bringing people. All of those videos make this look like a very promising trend.
What Dermatologists Think
Unlike DIY Botox, DIY LED light therapy is a trend that dermatologists generally support. With LED light therapy being completely safe and non-invasive, there’s nothing wrong with giving this trend a try yourself at home.
The key to success, however, is matching the right LED light wavelengths with your skin’s needs. Red LED, for instance, is famous for targeting the appearance of aging. Meanwhile, blue LED is a superstar at soothing the feeling of inflammation and de-puffing the look of the skin.
To ensure that you’re getting value for your money, invest in a device that offers multiple modes, such as the Photonix-3 Neck Solution. Being able to switch between wavelengths/colors as your skin’s needs and issues evolve over time will enable you to use your chosen device for many years to come.
Pore Vacuums
As you can see, many of the biggest TikTok skincare trends incorporate technology in some way, and this one is no exception. Scroll through some of the skincare content on the platform, and you’ll notice many TikTokers raving about pore vacuums. These handheld devices use suction to pull impurities out from the pores, claiming that this will significantly reduce the appearance of acne.
What Dermatologists Think
Pore vacuums may seem like a godsend for anyone with acne-prone skin. However, they bring with them a number of major risks. Excessive suction can damage the skin’s surface, along with the capillaries that lie underneath. Redness and bruising are both common after a pore vacuum has been used, with some people also experiencing scarring and other forms of permanent damage.
Plus, although pore vacuums may temporarily clear out the pores, they don’t address the underlying root of your clogged pores. The problem will only continue to happen, increasing your chances of applying excessive suction to your skin.
What should you do instead? If you’ve been struggling with pores that frequently end up clogged, dermatologists advise trying a different exfoliator. Don’t automatically assume that aggressive formulas are best. Sometimes, keeping things gentle with an exfoliator like the Lionesse White Pearl Facial Peeling, yet exfoliating a little more often, can be a good solution.
Adding a clay face mask to your weekly skincare routine can help as well. Clay is effective at absorbing excess sebum, saving it from gathering in your pores. The Lionesse Black Onyx Mask is a self-heating clay mask. This enhances the effects of the clay, leaving the skin feeling deeply purified once the mask has been rinsed off.
Retinoids would also be a good addition to your routine. They’re great for keeping the pores clear while giving the skin a radiant glow.
The Real-Life Truth Behind the Biggest TikTok Skincare Trends
As you can see, while some TikTok skincare trends may initially seem like an impressive game-changer, this is often not the case. If you’ve come across a trend that looks appealing to you, always spend some time doing a little research to discover what dermatologists and other skincare professionals think about that trend. If they advise steering clear, look for a safe and alternative way to address the visible skin concerns you’re dealing with.
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