4 Beauty Trends on TikTok That Are Actually Awful for Your Skin, According to an Expert
Do your skin a favor and stay away from these viral skincare trends
TikTok is quickly becoming the go-to place for hacks, tutorials, and new trends, so it’s no surprise people are turning to the platform for skincare help as well. Some of this year’s biggest beauty and makeup trends are from BeautyTok, such as glazed donut skin and the viral eye curler-winged eyeliner hack. And while a lot of good can come from these videos, there are several viral BeautyTok trends that are actually awful for your skin.
“BeautyTok is fun, but proceed with caution and take everything with a grain of salt,” celebrity skincare guru Olga Lorencin tells HelloGiggles. Lorencin, whose clientele includes Halle Berry, Kate Hudson, and Viola Davis, among others, warns that most BeautyTok trends aren’t backed by experts.
Furthermore, everyone’s skin is different, and not every BeautyTok trend is suitable for all skin types.
“It’s very important to fact-check before trying trends,” Lorencin says. “Also, think about the qualifications of the person who is sharing this advice with you. It’s always best to consult a dermatologist.”
Ahead, Lorencin debunks some of BeautyTok’s most popular skincare trends. As the famous saying goes, these are specific tips that you don’t wanna “try this at home!”
1. Face taping
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BeautyTokers are performing mini facelifts at home with face tape. The age-defying product temporarily lifts areas of the skin to mask the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. While smoother, younger-looking skin sounds nice, Lorencin advises against it as face taping could actually speed up the process of aging skin.
“Once in a while, face taping can work for an event. But on a daily basis, face taping will stretch your skin and underlying tissue,” she tells HelloGiggles. “I would avoid doing this as much as possible.”
2. Washing your face with salt water
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The post-ocean swim glow is real. Salt water can help extract clogged pores and oils from the skin, leaving the face clearer and brighter. However, that doesn’t mean you should incorporate salt water into your daily skincare routine, especially if you have sensitive skin.
“Salt has a lot of beneficial minerals and can occasionally help acne-prone skin, but if you make this a daily habit, it can dry out your skin and cause major irritation,” Lorencin explains.
Instead of salt, she recommends using science-based skincare products that have been formulated to treat specific skin types — or formulated to provide similar yet safer and more effective results, such as pore size minimization.
3. DIY coffee facial scrub
@southern_living Have leftover coffee grounds? Turn them into a face scrub! #facescrub #diyfacescrub #diybeautytips #TikTokTaughtMe #TikTokPartner
Similar to face taping and other BeautyTok hacks, DIY facial scrubs do more harm than good for your skin. Of all the home ingredients out there, coffee grounds have professional skincare gurus up in arms the most.
“Immediately no! Just don’t do it,” Lorencin pleads. “There is no reason to ever use an at-home mask or scrub when there are so many safer options that won’t cause micro tears in the skin the way coffee grounds would.”
Acid-based home masks work best “to safely exfoliate your skin,” Lorecin says. She recommends her red carpet facial kit, which helps hydrate and reduce the appearance of dull, dry skin.
4. Using tomatoes, sugar, and baking soda to brighten skin
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It’s true, tomatoes are wonderful for skin treatment. So, why are experts against this trend? The execution is all wrong. “Tomato extract in a formula is great for skin, but raw tomato is too acidic for the skin,” Lorencin says. “Plus, baking soda will neutralize any real benefits, making the whole treatment pointless.”
Those interested in tomato extract-based products should consult a professional who can ensure you’re using the best formula for your skin type.
