TikTok Skincare Trends: What’s Worth the Hype & What Should You Skip?

Every year, a new wave of skincare trends floods social media, and every year, patients ask me the same question in the exam room: "Is this one actually worth it?" As a board-certified dermatologist, I spend a lot of time separating genuine advances in skin health from routines that sound impressive but don't hold up to scrutiny.

Here’s my opinion on some of the top TikTok trends of the past year

Here’s my opinion on some of the top TikTok trends of the past year.

Slugging. Sealing in your moisturizer with an occlusive layer, often petrolatum, before bed is one of the few TikTok-born trends I actually endorse for the right patient. It's simple, it works, and it can be genuinely helpful for very dry or compromised skin barriers. That said, it's not for everyone- if you're acne-prone or oily, trapping that much moisture overnight can back you into breakouts. As with most things in dermatology, the right answer depends on your skin type, not the trend itself.

Beef tallow. This one I get asked about constantly, and my answer is consistent: I understand the appeal of "simpler" and "natural," but rendered animal fat isn't regulated, isn't standardized, and hasn't been studied the way modern moisturizers have. It can feel rich and occlusive, which is why people like it, but so can ingredients that have actually been tested for safety, stability, and effect on the skin barrier. If your goal is genuine barrier repair or anti-aging benefit, I'd rather see you using a formulation with ceramides and ingredients we know work than beef tallow

Skin cycling. Rotating actives like retinoids and exfoliants across specific nights of the week, with recovery nights in between, is a trend I'm generally supportive of. It's really just a structured way of doing what dermatologists have always recommended: introduce actives slowly, don't overload the barrier, and give your skin time to recover. If you're new to retinoids or tend toward irritation, this kind of framework can help you build tolerance without setting yourself back. When it comes to retinoids, consistency is the most important trend.

Red light therapy. At-home LED devices have gotten a lot more sophisticated, and there's real, growing evidence behind red and near-infrared light for supporting collagen production and calming inflammation. It's not a replacement for in-office treatments, but as a consistent, low-risk addition to a routine, it's one of the more legitimate at-home devices on the market right now. The main issue is the cost as many are quite expensive and that the benefit only comes from using them very consistently.  If they are in your budget and you can use them consistently, then worth it, if not save your money for in-office procedures.

The Bottom Line

Trends come and go, but the fundamentals I recommend to patients haven't changed much: daily sunscreen, a simplified routine built on evidence-based actives, and regular skin checks with a board-certified dermatologist who knows your history. If you're curious whether something you've seen online is actually worth adding to your routine, that's exactly the kind of question I love getting into during a visit, where we take the time to actually talk it through, rather than rushing you out the door.

Have questions about which of these trends make sense for your skin? Schedule a visit at Amber Dermatology in Trumbull, CT.