Dermatologists vs. TikTok: The Truth Behind Today’s Viral Skincare Trends.

Happy Thanksgiving, DERM Community! 🦃🍂

We hope your day is filled with good food, gratitude, and maybe a little extra time for yourself 😄 

Welcome back!

While most people are thinking about turkey, mashed potatoes, and surviving family conversations, skincare lovers everywhere are still buzzing about the latest TikTok trends. 

And just like today’s overflowing dinner tables, these trends keep piling up faster than any journal publication could hope to.

From “slugging” to “skin cycling” to “red light therapy,” these routines have gone from niche hacks to household terms…

But are they harmless trends, helpful habits, or hype dressed as science?

Let’s start with slugging:

It sounds messy but the premise is simple: applying a layer of petrolatum over skincare at night to lock in moisture. 

The truth? 

For dry, sensitive, or barrier-compromised skin, this can be an effective occlusive method that reduces transepidermal water loss. 

However, for acne-prone patients, it may increase comedogenic buildup if applied over active inflammation.

The verdict: slugging is science-based in concept but not universal in practice.

Now, skin cycling:

This trend advocates rotating active ingredients across different nights: usually exfoliation, retinoid, recovery, and repeat. 

It simplifies complex regimens and allows the barrier to recover, which can reduce irritation.

Dermatologists have been recommending this strategy for years; TikTok simply gave it a catchy name. 

The verdict: it works when customized, but fails when rigidly copied without considering skin type, sensitivity, or concurrent treatments.

Red light therapy is perhaps the most misunderstood.

Claims range from collagen stimulation to acne control and even “anti-aging miracles.” 

In reality, low-level light therapy can indeed modulate inflammation and improve wound healing by stimulating mitochondrial activity. 

However, efficacy depends on wavelength, dose, and consistency; details missing from most viral videos. 

The verdict: promising, not magical.

So, who is right: dermatologists or TikTok? 

The truth sits in the middle. 

TikTok brings accessibility and enthusiasm, but dermatologists bring nuance and safety. 

The opportunity is not to fight social media trends but to guide them with science. 

Patients are listening; they just need the right voice to translate what they see online into what actually works for their skin.

And while there are clinicians creating great educational content out there, it’s on us (both professionals and patients) to check who we’re following:

Are they sharing evidence-based insights, or just repackaging trends?

Sometimes the smartest move is simply to change your sources.

We’ve Put Together a Free Guide Just for You!

Navigating the world of viral skincare trends can feel like walking through a maze of TikTok hacks, Instagram routines, and YouTube tutorials; patients are curious, enthusiastic, and sometimes misinformed. The Trend Decoder is designed to give clinicians a quick, evidence-based reference to help patients separate hype from helpfulness.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Trending routines and devices explained with the latest science.

• Clinical context for who may benefit or who should steer clear.

• Practical counseling scripts to guide patient conversations with confidence.

• A framework for evaluating any trend before recommending it.

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Want to Go Deeper?

Take one of our modules

Whether you’re a clinician, student, or educator, our Maintaining Healthy Skin module breaks down atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, and more.

Book Recommendation of the Week

“The Art of Thinking Clearly” by Rolf Dobelli

"A serious examination of the faulty reasoning that leads to repeated mistakes by individuals, businesses, and nations…In this fascinating book, Dobelli does not offer a recipe for happiness but a well-considered treatise on avoiding ‘self-induced unhappiness.’” 

— Booklist (starred review)

Inspiration of the Week

👋🏻 See you next Thursday, DERM community!

In an era of skincare influencers and viral routines, our role is not to compete for attention, but to restore context. Science needs translation, not trends. 

Keep helping patients cut through the noise and see what truly matters: 

results grounded in biology, not virality.

Until next week, stay curious and keep looking Beneath the surface.

Happy Thanksgiving once again!

— The Derm for Primary Care Team