It’s no secret that TikTok has completely taken over the beauty community! The social media networking app, which is particularly well-liked among Gen Z, has given rise to a variety of viral cosmetic trends. While most of TikTok makeup trends are fun to try out, the skincare side of trending TikTok videos is a bit more concerning. Some of these trends could become dangerous, and make your skin cry for help with just one application.

That’s why we are bringing you four viral TikTok skincare trends that you should avoid at all costs. I know that this sounds pretty dramatic, however, these trends truly do have the potential to do permanent damage to that beautiful and glowing skin of yours. So let’s see what these trends are, shall we?

DIY skincare

If you have ever scrolled down through TikTok, you probably know that DIY skincare is incredibly popular amongst Gen Z. From natural yogurt face masks to homemade face scrubs. As cheap and convenient as DIY skincare is, these products could damage your skin barrier and even cause acne and wrinkles. For example, coffee grounds or brown sugar, which are often used in DIY exfoliators, are too abrasive to be used on the delicate skin of the face. Use chemical exfoliants instead, as they will be much more effective and better tolerated.

Sunscreen contouring

TikTok user Eli Withrow popularized the sunscreen contouring trend. This trend entails applying SPF 30 under her cheekbones and SP5 50 on some parts of the face. Why? because there is less sun protection, the cheekbones tan more deeply. That would theoretically make your face look contoured without the need for makeup.

However, you have to understand that there is no such thing as a “safe tan”. The skin only tans when it is exposed to UV radiation. That means that your natural skincare would be the product of permanent skin damage. Excessive exposure to the sun can also cause skin cancer in addition to premature skin aging. So make sure you use SPF 50 every single day, including during the cooler months, all over your face.

Slugging

You might be wondering what slugging actually is. Slugging is a K-Beauty trend that is not new and has been gaining traction for some time. Slugging is the process of applying a thick layer of petroleum-based products to your skin before bed in order to stop trans-epidermal water loss from your skin while sleeping. In theory, this should make your skin feel soft and hydrated when you wake up.

However, this trend definitely isn’t for people with oily, and acne-prone skin. While layering petroleum-based treatments can assist with dry spots, applying them on already oily skin can cause irritation and enlarged pores in addition to making your face look shinier.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning uses a surgical-grade blade to remove peach fuzz and dulling dead skin cells for a smoother skin surface. It was made popular by Cleopatra, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and more recently Huda Katan. However, as beneficial as this could be for some women, it also has the potential to harm your skin, especially when done at home. Rather leave it to a professional, or avoid it completely if you have rosacea or acne, since it can aggravate your skin and cause flare-ups.

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