The dark side of social media skincare hacks
When glow up becomes a glow down
The rise (and risk) of social media skincare
Let’s talk about the dark side of social media skincare hacks. TikTok and Instagram are overflowing with “miracle” skincare hacks, from lemon juice facials to DIY microneedling. It’s a constant flood of advice from influencers, not experts.
But not all beauty tips trending online are good for your skin. Many of these so called “hacks” promote questionable products or unsafe treatments, encouraging young women and men to follow beauty routines that can do more harm than good.
Some trends have even led to serious injuries and hospital visits. So the question is, is it worth following every skincare trend you see online?
When influencing goes wrong
One influencer with millions of followers shared a failed DIY collagen stimulating experiment. She pierced her facial skin with needles, hoping to boost natural collagen production.
The result? A severe infection, dangerous swelling, and even partial loss of eyesight, all because the treatment wasn’t performed safely. Only after this painful experience did she share her most valuable advice:
“It’s better to go to a professional.”
Microneedling, chemical peels, and similar procedures should never be done at home. These are professional treatments, requiring sterile conditions and proper technique to avoid infections, scarring, or long term damage.
When more isn’t better
Another viral TikTok trend features young influencers promoting elaborate skincare routines with 10+ steps and dozens of products. The first scientific study on this phenomenon, led by American researchers, revealed something shocking.
These complex routines, often lasting hours and involving products worth hundreds of pounds, aren’t just ineffective. They’re potentially harmful.
Over cleansing and layering too many active ingredients can damage your skin’s natural barrier, causing sensitivity, acne, rosacea, and even chronic inflammation.
Your skin doesn’t need everything at once. It needs the right care for its type, age, and condition. Healthy, oily, dry, mature, or acne prone skin each require a different approach.
The cost of chasing “perfect skin”
The reviewed videos averaged 1.1 million views, featuring around six products per routine, costing about £125 per session. Some influencers used up to 12 products, pushing the cost to over £370.
But beyond the financial cost, there’s an emotional one.
These routines can fuel unrealistic beauty standards and lower self-esteem, especially among teenagers comparing their unfiltered skin to influencer perfection, often enhanced with filters, lighting, and editing.
What we see in our salon, Beauty Bar in Ware Hertfordshire
At our beauty salon, we meet many young women who come for consultations after trying viral skincare routines. They often list 10 or more products, many of which clash or cancel each other out.
Some clients expect miraculous results after one professional treatment, unaware that their favourite influencer’s flawless look is filtered. It can take patience and education to guide them back to a routine that actually works, and to rebuild their skin barrier.
Breaking down the ingredients
Researchers studying these social media routines created a list of the ingredients used by influencers. They found that only 26% of them included sunscreen, the single most important skincare product for all skin types and ages.
Even sunscreen needs to be chosen carefully, acne prone, sensitive, or mature skin types all require different formulas.
On average, the most viewed videos contained 11 potentially irritating active ingredients, increasing the risk of:
- Skin irritation and redness
- Sun sensitivity and melasma
- Allergic contact dermatitis
Once you develop a cosmetic allergy, it can permanently limit what you can safely use, even basic soaps and shampoos.
This risk skyrockets when multiple strong actives (like retinol, vitamin C, or acids) are used together or repeated across products. For example, a cream and a serum both containing retinol can severely over exfoliate and inflame the skin.
Over time, these habits can cause long term damage, from persistent acne and rosacea to chronic dryness and inflammation.
What you should do instead
Instead of chasing viral skincare hacks, focus on a simplified, consistent routine:
- Cleanse gently (once or twice a day, depending on skin type).
- Moisturise with a product suitable for your skin needs.
- Protect with SPF daily, rain or shine.
- Add active ingredients (like Vitamin C or Retinol) only under professional guidance.
And remember, healthy skin doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built with patience, consistency, and professional support.
Real advice. Real skin.
If you’re in the Hertfordshire area and want a targeted skincare routine and professional treatments that are honest, safe, and effective, we’d love to help.
We offer truthful advice, expert consultations, and personalised skincare plans to suit your skin type and goals.
Our beauty salon and skin clinic is based in Ware Hertfordshire, but we welcome clients from all over the area including Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, Hoddesdon, Buntingford, Bengeo, Royston and surrounding towns and villages.