By India McCarty
“Caveman skin” is a new skincare method taking TikTok by storm, but experts are cautioning parents and kids to think twice before trying it.
“My skincare routine was all over the place,” Tia Zakher, the TikToker who started the trend, told PEOPLE. “I was trying so many different things and doing so many different things. I was never consistent because I was just in this vicious cycle, and I didn’t know how to get out of it.”
So, she decided to try doing nothing at all, “including avoidance of washing, moisturizing, sunscreen, anything at all.”
Others might be tempted to try Zakher’s method, but experts have warned against it for a series of reasons.
“Cutting out cleansing can lead to acne, clogged pores, and infections,” Dana Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist, told Parents.com.
She explained that people who suffer from more serious skin conditions, like eczema or heavy irritation, could benefit from “cutting out harsh products,” but cleaning your skin is still important.
Related: Is Social Media Wrecking Your Daughter’s Skin?
“That’s very different from eliminating basic skincare altogether,” Lika Alania, an aesthetician, said. “Cleansing is essential, especially at the end of the day, to remove oil, dirt, bacteria, and sweat. Without this step, skin is likely to become congested, dull, or inflamed.”
Associate Prof Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist at the Skin hospital in Sydney, agreed, telling the Guardian, “There’s all this misinformation out there that you need a 12-step skincare routine — that’s completely not true. But you don’t want to take it from one extreme to the other, like [Zakher].”
“You don’t need to be spending lots of money — the cheap stuff works great,” he said, adding, “Be intentional with your skincare. Just because you see someone online using something and it suits them, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to help you reach your skincare goals.”
So, what should you do if your teen wants to try out the “caveman skin” method?
Kosta Condous, a family therapist, told Parents.com to talk to your child about why TikTok might not be the best place to get healthcare tips. Additionally, Condous said parents could also use it as an opportunity to talk about the unrealistic beauty standards we see on social media.
The “Caveman skin” trend isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it can damage or irritate skin, so it is important to talk to your teen about the trend — and why they probably shouldn’t try it out.
Read Next: Experts Weigh In On ‘Baffling’ Tween Skincare Trend
- Content: +4Share:
- Content: +3