Viral Skincare Routines: Hidden Dangers
A recent study warns that viral skincare routines on TikTok, popular among minors, may cause allergic reactions, skin irritations, phototoxicity, and adverse psychological effects while reinforcing unrealistic beauty ideals.
Dr. Molly Hales, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine and the study’s author, published in the journal Pediatrics, was drawn to this phenomenon as a researcher because, although widely covered by popular media, there had been no systematic medical approach.
“Six minutes in and almost ten products applied,” Hales describes, referring to one of the analyzed videos. In it, a creator develops a skin reaction in real-time and concludes by asking how to stop the burning sensation.
Methodology
To better understand the scope of these practices, the research team created accounts simulating 13-year-olds—the minimum age allowed on TikTok—and analyzed 100 unique videos obtained using the hashtag #skincare and “For you.” They studied creator profiles, video features, product types, and visual and verbal language in the posts.
Beyond Skin: Beauty, Consumption, and Unrealistic Standards
The study also documented concerning themes related to the underlying messages in these contents. Many videos reinforced associations between beauty, health, and wealth, promoting consumerism and difficult-to-achieve aesthetic perfection standards.
“We observed messages of perfectionism and female beauty norms disguised as health,” warned Hales. This trend can influence how girls and teens perceive their bodies and well-being, generating early aesthetic pressure.
A Difficult Trend to Monitor
TikTok’s algorithm, noted the researcher, makes it difficult for parents, educators, or healthcare professionals to easily monitor the type of content minors are exposed to, especially if they watch videos through their own or friends’ accounts.
Key Findings: Risks Outweigh Benefits
According to Dr. Hales, the message is clear: these routines offer very limited benefits but can have detrimental consequences. They are costly, time-consuming, perpetuate unattainable beauty ideals, and expose minors to unnecessary skin irritation, allergies, and sun damage.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the study about? The study examines viral skincare routines on TikTok and their potential risks for minors.
- What are the main concerns? The study highlights allergic reactions, skin irritations, phototoxicity, and the reinforcement of unrealistic beauty standards.
- How were the videos analyzed? The research team created simulated 13-year-old accounts and studied 100 unique videos using the hashtag #skincare and “For you,” analyzing creator profiles, video features, product types, and language.
- What are the broader implications? The study discusses how these trends can impact body image, self-perception, and mental health in young users while promoting consumerism and unrealistic beauty standards.
- How can parents or educators monitor this content? Due to TikTok’s algorithm, it is challenging for adults to easily monitor the content minors are exposed to.
