We’ve all done it. You’re scrolling through TikTok, spot someone with glowing, poreless skin, and before you know it, you’ve added three “miracle serums” to your basket. The problem? That routine isn’t designed for your skin. Instead, it’s designed for likes, sponsorships, and clicks.
Influencers are brilliant at selling a lifestyle, but great skin on camera doesn’t mean great advice. In fact, blindly copying these routines can leave your skin worse off… red, irritated, and a lot lighter in the wallet.
The Real Cost of Viral Routines
Those endless “10-step skincare routines” are expensive, yes, but they’re also damaging. A US study found teenage influencers were using an average of six products a day, sometimes over a dozen active ingredients at once. That can add up to nearly £400 a month (about $500). The irony? Only a quarter of them bothered with sunscreen… the one product dermatologists actually agree is essential.
In the UK, dermatologists are now warning that too many women are overloading their skin barrier with products they don’t need, all because a stranger on TikTok swore by it.
The results include:
- Rashes and allergic reactions
- Long-term sensitivity that makes skin harder to treat
- Breakouts that spiral into scarring
- And the quiet toll on mental health from constantly chasing “perfect” skin
When beauty routines start creating more problems than they solve, you know it’s time
to step back and rethink.
The Halo Effect and Hidden Dangers
When someone looks pristine online, it’s easy to assume they know skincare. That’s the “halo effect”—we take flawless skin as proof of flawless advice. But influencers are usually better at marketing than medicine.
Their routines rarely offer:
- Personalisation for your skin
- Medical accountability
- Scientific backing
Even more worrying, many paid promotions aren’t clearly disclosed. What looks like a genuine tip is often just another ad.
We spoke with Nova, one of the London escorts whose career depends on keeping her skin camera-ready. She told us:
“I once jumped on a viral serum trend and ended up with a rash that lasted a week. That was the wake-up call for me. I don’t risk my skin on online tips anymore. Ladies, please don’t make the same mistake I did! Stick to medical-grade products, fragrance-free basics, and check-ups with a dermatologist.”
What You Should Be Doing
So, what should you actually do if you want glowing skin without the gamble? Well, what you need is a routine that steers you back to the essentials and protects your skin barrier:
Simplicity first: Cleanser, moisturiser, and broad-spectrum SPF. That’s your foundation. Most of us don’t need more unless there’s a specific issue to treat. (For context, British teens are now spending over £130 a month copying influencer routines that dermatologists say often do more harm than good.)
One active at a time: Want to exfoliate? Great… just don’t stack it with retinol the same night. Rotate, don’t overload.
Patch-test and check-in: Even “clean” products can cause reactions. A quick patch test and occasional dermatologist check-up saves months of recovery.
Avoid DIY hacks: Lemon juice, toothpaste, or even bleach—yes, these really circulate online—can permanently damage skin. If you see any vids involving these, just keep scrolling.
Follow dermfluencers, not influencers: Some skinfluencers are doctors or licensed estheticians. If you want inspiration online, look for actual credentials.
Remember… Not Every Craze Is “Healthy”
Skincare has become a status symbol—and social media is the showroom. Adding products to your cart because they “went viral” isn’t what we would call self-care. Instead, we think of it more as self-sabotage.
Your best investment will always be in slow, steady, sensible routines that protect your skin barrier and keep things simple. After all, your skin is the face you live in every day, and we’d say it deserves more than hype.
