We can think of a dozen skin-care products [1] that TikTok has convinced us to purchase in the last year, but we can also think of a handful of tips and hacks that users on the app have influenced us to try out on our own. These days, it's never been easier to come across skin-care tips on the internet [2], but with all of this information floating around on the app about trends like skin icing [3] and skin slugging, it can't hurt to make sure the products and trends you're trying are vetted by experts.
We spoke to a few dermatologists to get their thoughts on a handful of skin-care trends that have been making waves on TikTok in recent months. Read ahead to see what they had to say.
What a Dermatologist Thinks About "Slugging"
Slugging is a technique that originated in Korea, and it's really just the act of following your regular nighttime skin-care routine with a thin layer of Vaseline or petroleum-based balm as a way to seal in all the moisture. One of our editors previously tried the technique [4] out and was pleasantly surprised by how dewy her skin looked within a few days of trying it, but just be aware that the results aren't the same for everyone.
"Vaseline doesn't hydrate your skin, but it seals existing moisture into your skin," dermatologist Mariana Vergara, MD [5], told POPSUGAR. "It protects the skin with inflammation, redness and rosacea, but it cannot be used for everyone, especially if your skin is oily or acne prone."
Basically, if your skin is prone to breaking out, slugging is a trend you might want to skip, as Vaseline has potential to clog the pores and trigger breakouts.
What a Dermatologist Thinks About Using Erection Creams to Plump Your Lips
Yes, this has happened. No, you should definitely not try it. Per New York City dermatologist Hadley King, MD, FAAD [6], most erection creams contain an active ingredient meant to increase blood flow and, well, cause an erection.
"These ingredients on the lips can cause an irritant reaction that could be characterised by stinging and swelling and later peeling as the lips heal, or worse, an allergic reaction," she said.
What a Dermatologist Thinks About "Skin Icing"
Jarring as it may sound, icing is really just the act of putting ice or cold products on the skin to reduce inflammation, puffiness, and redness. While dozens of TikTok videos show users putting actual ice cubes on their bare faces to get a healthier looking complexion, that direct contact can sometimes be too harsh for people with sensitive skin (and cause more harm than good).
"I think skin icing is a drastic way to reduce inflammation in the skin," Vergara said. "Direct icing into your skin can produce extreme vasoconstriction and decrease inflammation but after, it produces a greater vasodilating effect which can affect sensitive skins, redness, and patients with rosacea."
Essentially, if this is a trend you're going to participate in, try not to use products that are extremely cold. Vergara recommends using cold compresses or cold hydrating masks to get these results.
What a Dermatologist Thinks About Using Band-Aids as Acne Patches
Recently, many users have started putting hydrocolloid bandages over their acne [7] when they're experiencing breakouts in attempt to clear up their skin. It sort of mimics the act of putting a Band-Aid over a minor wound when you want it to get better — and it actually works!
"They help draw out excess oil, pus, and debris in a clean environment," Dhaval Bhanusali, M.D. [8], previously told POPSUGAR. Using a Band-Aid is definitely a cheaper alternative to using other acne patches, but if you go this route just make sure you're purchasing bandages that have a hydrocolloid dressing, which typically contains a gel like gelatine to trap moisture and promote healing.