TikTok Trends Trigger Troubling Skin Scares Among Teens

Scrolling through TikTok often leads users to seemingly harmless videos where teenagers enthusiastically share their daily skincare routines. Many of these clips begin with cheerful catchphrases like “Get ready with me.” However, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Pediatrics, these trending skincare videos may pose long-term dangers to adolescent skin.

The research, conducted by scientists at Northwestern Medicine, issues a stern warning about the content and effects of such videos. It found that the most popular skincare videos on TikTok often include ingredients that can cause skin irritation, redness, or allergic reactions. In some cases, these reactions can result in allergic contact dermatitis—a condition that can lead to permanent skin sensitivity. This could make even basic products like soap, shampoo, or makeup difficult for affected teens to use in the future.

Researchers noted that the average teenager spends about $168 per month on skincare products, with some exceeding $500. These trendy videos, they caution, may be doing more harm than good—particularly for teen girls. Despite showcasing a multitude of products, only about one in four of these videos include the use of sunscreen during the day. Sunscreen, experts emphasize, is the most essential skincare item, especially for children and adolescents.

Dr. Molly Hales, lead author of the study and a dermatologist at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, explained that a significant issue lies in the overlapping ingredients found in multiple products. "Teenagers, without realizing, use several products containing the same active ingredient, which increases the risk of irritation," said Dr. Hales. For instance, combining multiple products containing hydroxy acids can put substantial stress on the skin.

This study marks the first of its kind to investigate how TikTok’s skincare routines are impacting girls aged 7 to 18. The analysis revealed that, on average, each video featured six different products, and in some cases, over a dozen were used in one video alone. Most of these products are marketed directly to teenagers and include ingredients identified as potential allergens that may cause permanent skin damage, according to science publication Nourish.

In one striking example, a teen used ten different products in just a six-minute video. As the video progressed, visible signs of discomfort and skin reactions began to appear on camera.

The researchers also raised concerns about the subtle messaging in some videos, which appear to glorify lighter skin tones. Dr. Tara Lagu, senior author of the study, remarked, “Many of these videos include cues and visuals that promote skin lightening. Such messaging is closely tied to beauty standards and consumer culture, and they can significantly affect how teenage viewers perceive themselves.”

The study underscores that these skincare videos may not be truly beneficial for children or teenagers. The pressure to conform to trending beauty routines drives many teens to fixate unhealthily on achieving “perfect” skin, often at the cost of their dermatological well-being.

Dr. Hales issued a stark warning: “What’s being portrayed as ‘self-care’ is actually reinforcing harmful beauty standards tied to whiteness, thinness, and flawlessness.”

To gather data, Dr. Hales and another researcher created a TikTok account posing as a 13-year-old girl and collected 100 skincare routine videos from the platform’s “For You” page. They documented the creators' gender, age, product usage, costs, and ingredients. The team then compared these ingredients against known allergens associated with long-term dermatological conditions.

The findings reveal just how quickly teens can be exposed to harmful skincare habits online—often without the knowledge of their parents or healthcare providers. Though these videos may seem fun and trendy, experts warn they could have lasting effects not just on the skin, but also on teenagers’ overall health, beauty perceptions, and self-image.