TikTok has become a viral platform for users to share knowledge on everything from politics and mental health to beauty and wellness tips. Unfortunately, not everyone who takes to TikTok to share their wisdom actually knows what they’re talking about, and misinformation can spread fast. While DIY facemasks and scrubs might seem like harmless fun, there are a lot of skincare trends making the rounds on TikTok that can be downright dangerous.
We trust TikTok like we’d trust our best friend. But Nourri has your best interest in mind, so we’re here to burst your bubble. You can’t always trust TikTok. Unfortunately, there are some tips and tricks on TikTok that are ruining people’s skin, and we’re here to get you in the know.
TikTok Tricks Gone Wrong
Sandpaper Shaving
Don’t throw out your razor just yet. While some on the app have claimed that buffing their legs with sandpaper to remove unwanted hair left their skin softer than ever, experts strongly caution against using this method. Sandpaper only removes hair from the surface of the skin instead of pulling it out from the root, so it is no more effective than shaving. The sandpaper won’t just remove your leg hair, but it can also scrape away your skin. Experts warn that this could lead to folliculitis, a bacterial or fungal infection that causes inflammation of hair follicles.
How to Fix It: If you have tried sandpaper shaving, keep any cuts or abrasions clean and covered and avoid direct sunlight on your legs for a few days. If you notice your skin is dry, a natural moisturizer like aloe can help provide some gentle relief but try not to put too many products on your legs to avoid more irritation.
Baking Soda Mask
Some TikTok videos advocate making a paste of water and baking soda and using it to exfoliate, but your dermatologist would prefer you didn’t. Baking soda is too harsh for most peoples’ skin, especially when applied directly and not as part of a clinically formulated product. People have long reported rashes, burning, or redness in their armpits after using baking soda as a natural deodorant. Since baking soda is alkaline, it can disrupt your skins pH level and kill good bacteria, leaving you more prone to infections and breakouts. It also dries your skin by stripping your skin’s natural oils.
How to Fix It: If you develop a rash, burns, or any signs of an infection after using a baking soda mask, see a doctor. Treat any breakouts with your normal face wash, toner, or spot cream, and rehydrate dry skin with your everyday moisturizer.
Skin Bleaching with Lemon and Milk
A viral TikTok showed the creator miking lemon juice, the squeezed lemon slices, and evaporated milk in a glass container to create lactic acid, which can be used to correct hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone. However, it is better to use a store-bought AHA that has been formulated for use on skin instead of trying to make your own. Lemon juice, when applied directly to the face, can be extremely drying to the skin, cause acid burns, and increase sensitivity to sunlight.
How to Fix It: If you have applied lemon juice to your face, avoid direct sunlight for 24 hours and if you do go outside, wear a sunscreen with a high protection factor. Use your normal moisturizer to help with any excessive dryness.
Sunscreen Contouring
We originally had actress Gwyneth Paltrow to thank for this one, but it’s since caught on all across TikTok. The idea here is that instead of applying an even layer of sunscreen to your entire face, you only apply it to the elevated areas of your face where the sun supposedly “hits the most,” such as the bridge of your nose and cheekbones. Others have used where they usually apply highlighter as a guide for where to apply sunscreen. Underapplication of sunscreen can lead to sunburn, which has been long documented to cause brown spots, advanced skin aging, and even cancer.
How to Fix It: If you do get a sunburn, apply aloe vera gel to alleviate discomfort and speed the healing process. Avoid direct sunlight until your skin heals. In general, wearing at least SPF 30 all over your face (and body!) and adding a wide-brimmed hat will keep your face safe from future burns.
Peel Off Masks that Eliminate Acne
We’ve all seen those face masks that seem to magically get rid of someone’s acne. Well, the reality is, that they’re usually too good to be true. Peel-off face masks that eliminate acne, actually make your skin worse, according to experts. What really happens when you peel off one of those face masks, is that your skin becomes irritated, and you’ll feel pain.
How to Fix It: Instead of a ‘magic’ face mask, try using an exfoliator a few times a week. As much as we wish it were true, you can’t get rid of acne in a day!
Final Thoughts
We’ve been over a variety of TikTok skincare hacks, that are just plain false. And to counter these hacks, we have provided you with several tips that you can trust. Here’s another: you can trust that consuming collagen is a great way to achieve healthier skin.
That’s why Nourri created the ‘Ready Set Glow’ supplement, which is packed with collagen. We wanted you to have access to a quick and easy way to improve the health of your hair, skin, and nails, that actually works. Try it out. TikTok might lead you astray with their too-good-to-be-true tips, but Nourri wouldn’t do that. This supplement really works.