If you've followed me for a while, you'll know I'm obsessed with my skincare! As someone who has suffered with acne in the past finding the right skincare products for me has always been a must.
Luckily, I'm now in a position where I am happy with my skin- but that doesn't stop me from investigating all the latest innovations in skincare- and social media is a big part of that!
If there's one social media app that has turned the skincare game on its head, it's TikTok!
There are now hundreds of thousands of videos on TikTok from dermatologists, aestheticians and "skinfluencers", and TikTok has now replaced Instagram as the go-to social media app for everything skincare and beauty.
Many people are now engaging with skincare content on TikTok, and #skincare is now sitting at over 65 billion- yes, BILLION!- views.
52 per cent of us say we use TikTok to find new products, while influencer posts were up 16% in early 2021 compared to 2020.
In this post, I'm going to discuss 3 ways that I think TikTok has completely revolutionised how we think about skincare and beauty on a daily basis.
Access to expert advice
We all know from hours of scrolling endlessly on Instagram that the influencers we engage with aren’t necessarily qualified experts.
We love watching OOTD videos from our favourite influencers, but unlike fashion- there’s a certain science to skincare.
On ‘SkinTok’, as it has been dubbed, we have access to advice from people who’ve studied the things they’re educating us on (in some cases).
Skinfluencers like @skincarebyhyram are great, but we are also turning to qualified dermatologists like @dermdoctor and @dermbeautydoc to help us nail our routines.
These experts are busting all the myths that we’ve grown up with, giving us the knowledge we need to have our healthiest skin ever.
Thanks to their no-nonsense advice, we know that scrubbing at our acne with rough exfoliators will aggravate it, not make it go away.
We know hydration and moisture is the key to keeping our skin youthful and bouncy.
Most importantly, these qualified influencers are educating us on the importance of SPF.
Wearing an SPF is so important for our health and beauty- so if you’re looking for a bronzed glow, self-tan and tan drops are the way to go!
In a world where anyone can be an influencer, having access to real, expert advice is important for looking after our skin.
Always remember to scroll with care. Make sure someone's account is definitely to be trusted, and always check out the information with another source before implementing it into your routine.
Ingredients, ingredients, ingredients
One of the benefits of following qualified experts is that they’re educating us on the ingredients in our products.
Now, we’re smarter than ever before, and we know which ingredients will actually help our skin type.
For me, it's important to understand which ingredients are actually vegan so that my skincare routine doesn't affect my vegan lifestyle- but still keeps my skin fresh and vibrant!
We know now that our teenage ‘holy-grail’ products like witch hazel are actually too harsh for our skin, while salicylic acid will help unclog those pores and leave our skin glowing.
The Ordinary’s TikTok-famous peeling solution has sold out so many times, with sales trebling yearly.
We’ve also been introduced to new brands at affordable prices that include powerhouse skincare ingredients- meaning we can splurge more money on the things that matter to us!
Our skin has never looked more radiant thanks to hyaluronic acid, retinol, and niacinamide.
We’re learning about the ingredients behind our favourite serums and creams and in turn, we’re making empowered, smart choices when it comes to our new products.
This can only be a positive for our shopping and health habits, and there's no more being sucked in by stunning packaging and false promises.
Viral hacks lead the way
Who doesn’t love a life hack? Skincare and beauty hacks on TikTok aren’t in short supply, with users offering tips to improve your products and routines.
Experts like @charlotteparler have taught us that applying most of our skincare products to damp skin can supercharge their effects – hello, glowing queen!
Our lips have never been plumper since we started layering a moisturiser under our lip balms, and our faces are also more sculpted when we leave the house in the morning thanks to massaging in our products, which helps reduce puffiness.
But, as with anything else, if something sounds too good to be true, it is.
DIY face masks and treatments are huge on TikTok, with unqualified creators recommending blends of lemon juice, baking soda, and even egg whites.
Our favourite TikTok derms recommend against these hacks because they can undo all the hard work we’ve put into our smooth, glowing complexions.
Instead, look for products formulated with skin-loving ingredients.
For example, try goji berries, which are an amazing antioxidant, instead of slathering raw ingredients on your face.
It’s safe to say that while Instagram provides us all with endless fashion and beauty inspiration, TikTok is starting to revolutionise the skincare industry.
By using fast-paced videos, TikTok has taught us about ingredients that can make our skin soft and stop us from breaking out.
I've got a few key tips from this phenomenon, and it's a great way to get quick tips and tricks to add to your routine- as long as you only listen to accounts backed up my scientific evidence, qualifications and other trust-worthy sources.
Love, Sarah xoxoxo
