Teenagers are increasingly influenced by skincare trends on platforms like TikTok, but a new study suggests these routines might potentially be doing more harm than good [[3]].

Researchers at Northwestern Medicine have found that young girls aged 7 to 18 are using an average of six different products on their faces daily,with some using over a dozen. These products, often heavily marketed to younger consumers, carry a high risk of skin irritation and allergies.

The study, wich will be published in the journal Pediatrics on June 9, highlights the potential risks and limited benefits of these social media-driven skincare practices.

The research team analyzed 100 TikTok videos and discovered that teen girls are using an average of six different products on their faces daily, with some applying more than a dozen products in a single routine [[1]].

These routines cost an average of $168 per month,with some exceeding $500,the study found [[1]], [[2]]. As summer approaches, the study’s authors noted that only 26% of daytime skincare routines included sunscreen, which is considered the most crucial skincare product for all ages, especially children.

Potential Dangers of Excessive Skincare

The study revealed that the most-viewed videos contained an average of 11 possibly irritating active ingredients. This puts content creators at risk of skin irritation,sun sensitivity,and allergic contact dermatitis. Developing such an allergy can limit the types of soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics users can apply for the rest of their lives.

“We saw that there was preferential, encoded racial language in some cases that really emphasized lighter, brighter skin,”

According to corresponding author Dr. Molly Hales, a postdoctoral research fellow and board-certified dermatologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine