In a world that revolves around Web 2.0 and the growth of social media, finding new skincare and beauty products is a breeze. Thanks to platforms like TikTok, we now have a sea of ​​recommendations at our fingertips. A simple search will yield endless options for all of our cosmetic needs, from caffeinated eye creams for puffy skin to the best moisturizers of 2024. But what’s important to remember about user-generated content is in the name—it’s user-generated, which means anyone can create it. That includes people who aren’t qualified to make such recommendations.

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Blindly jumping on TikTok trends for skincare products just because they come from seemingly trustworthy influencers may not be so beneficial. Not only could you be wasting money on products that are ineffective for your needs, but you could also be harming your skin and even your health in the long run. In an exclusive conversation with Glam, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare Dr. Ellen Marmur revealed that there are several common mistakes to avoid when TikTok shopping for your skincare products. She warns against valuing the advice of unqualified influencers more than certified doctors and industry experts, so invest in anti-aging ingredients before you need them or buy products with too many harsh ingredients. Ultimately, the key to shopping for cosmetics safely on TikTok is to remember that skincare is personalized; a product may be virally popular, but if it doesn’t suit your skin type, it may do more harm than good.

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One of the most important things to keep in mind when shopping on TikTok—especially for products that go on your skin or affect your health—is that TikTok isn’t gatekeeping. Literally anyone can post a video promoting anything. Of course, that’s not to say there aren’t real creators with real credentials who know what they’re talking about. But it’s important to make that distinction before taking their word at face value. According to Dr. Ellen Marmur, a common mistake when shopping on TikTok is “trusting influencers who aren’t medical professionals but offer medical/dermatological advice with product recommendations.”

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Unfortunately, this problem is often associated with sun protection. “One in seven Americans now believe that sunscreen is more harmful to health than skin cancer!” Dr. Marmur shares exclusively with Glam. “This is fueled by TikTok DIY influencers. At the same time, SPF values ​​like 30 or 50 are measured by FDA labs, not invented. And skin cancer disfigures millions of Americans every year and tragically claims one life every hour.”

Dr. Ellen Marmur stresses the importance of knowing your skin type and letting that guide your purchase rather than going by the most popular product on TikTok. “Often, younger generations think they should use what the influencers on TikTok are using rather than evaluating their skin type and the right ingredients for it,” she tells us exclusively. If you don’t consider your individual needs, you may end up buying products that are too strong, not strong enough, or simply not compatible with your skin. What’s more, if you follow trends, you may end up buying products that are actually harmful to your skin. “Some people end up buying products with 30 ingredients each, which can cause a rash called Cosmeceutical Contact Dermatitis,” explains Dr. Marmur.

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There are a few tricks you can use to determine your skin type before you buy. An easy way to get an idea is to take a closer look at your current moisturizing routine. Dry skin often feels tight throughout the day and doesn’t get oily even when using heavy moisturizers. Combination skin, on the other hand, usually gets oily in the T-zone while maintaining the dry feeling on the cheeks and chin. Oily skin, on the other hand, can be prone to breakouts with heavier products and become overly shiny. You can also check your pore size. Larger pores indicate oilier skin, even if it’s limited to one area on the face.

Active ingredients for skincare become increasingly important as we age or when we have certain skin concerns. While TikTok is typically transparent about when to use active ingredients, advising viewers to avoid certain products like retinol in the morning, it’s less open about the fact that a large portion of the market doesn’t actually need active ingredients. This is especially true when you consider that a quarter of TikTok users will be under 19 and nearly 50% will be under 30 in 2024 (via Exploding Topics).

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“Some brands’ marketing pushes the younger generation to buy retinol and vitamin C. However, these ingredients should be delayed until later in life as they cause more irritation and damage than good,” Dr. Ellen Marmur tells Glam exclusively. “For a simple routine for teens, I recommend a gentle moisturizer and daily SPF.”

While exfoliants certainly have their place in a good skincare routine, one of the myths to stop believing about the process is that everyone needs to exfoliate every day. “Too much exfoliation can overload the skin barrier that produces natural oils,” says Dr. Ellen Marmur. In particular, people with dry skin types should avoid exfoliation-based cleansers that need to be used daily, even if TikTok influencers make them look amazing.

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“If you have dry skin and you buy a scrub, it can cause further damage and irritation,” Dr. Marmur tells Glam exclusively, adding that the exfoliating process strips the skin of its oils, making it even drier. “Again, you’re buying products you see others using without considering your skin type.” While people with dry or sensitive skin can benefit from exfoliating, if you find yourself using more aggressive products on a daily basis because you see influencers doing it, your skin condition will often worsen.

We have to hand it to the marketing departments of skincare brands—they know how to work with the right influencers to make their products look heavenly. But no matter how good a product looks through TikTok magic, you shouldn’t buy it without first checking the ingredients list. Dr. Ellen Marmur warns that even products that look clean and natural can contain ingredients that harm your skin in the long run. This is often the case with products that claim to smell amazing, according to online reviews. “Buying heavily scented products with harsh ingredients will dry out your skin and is not good for your skin overall,” Dr. Marmur notes in our exclusive conversation.

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Some products that smell great may actually be free of artificial fragrances and other ingredients that can irritate your skin. But because there is so much misinformation about clean beauty, you won’t know until you do your own research. Look for ingredient lists online for the products you’re considering purchasing, and if an ingredient list isn’t available, email the company and request one. Some of the most common irritants to look out for in your skincare products are sulfates, fragrances, benzoyl peroxide, and alcohol. But for ingredients you’re unsure about, it’s always worth investing some time in research. While social media has paved the way for misinformation to spread, Web 2.0 also provides quick access to credible, evidence-based online sources that can help you understand what you’re really putting on your skin.

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