Using popular beauty tips from TikTokers may seem appealing, but it also comes with risks. Some of these tips may not be based on sound medical or scientific knowledge. For example, overuse of unapproved chemicals or beauty devices can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, or even permanent damage. We explain how to get around them and replace them with cosmetics that are tested and safe to use.
Vaseline as a night mask
The concept comes from Korea. The idea? Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly and leave it on overnight to wake up to soft skin.
Why shouldn’t you do it? Vaseline is occlusive and by forming a film on the surface of the skin blocks insensible water loss. But above all, it is not a cosmetic product, it must be reserved for pharmaceutical use. If it is effective in preventing, for example, the formation of crusts in the event of a wound, this excipient does not have no cosmetic benefit. Used too long or too often as a night mask, it can create a phenomenon of hyperhydration. In short, water from the skin no longer evaporates. Finally, petroleum jelly can also cause pimples and blackheads in combination to oily skin.
The real solution: for good hydration, nothing like a mask whose formula has been specially designed to provide the skin with thirst-quenching active ingredients while allowing the epidermis to breathe.
Suitable products:
Double effect. Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask, Laneige at Sephora, €36
Multi-use. Anti-aging Global The Ultimate Great Regenerating Treatment, Yves Rocher, €44.99
Facial shaving
Dermaplaning is a technique that emerged on social networks. It consists of using a thin blade (like that of razors dedicated to eyebrows) to clean the skin by removing dead cells.
Why shouldn’t you do it? This shaving removes dead cells, but also part of the living cells, which leads to an imbalance in the skin microbiome with the risk of sensitizing and dehydrating the skin. This technique also removes the protective hair on the face and can ultimately transform it into coarser, darker hair. Finally, it is likely to tear off pimples, imperfections and other growths.
The real solution: To maintain beautiful skin texture, nothing beats gentle exfoliation, with a grain-free formula, used once a week so as not to alter the skin barrier.
Suitable products:
Enzymatic. Pomegranate Peeling Resurfacing Mask, Korres, €19.90
Anti-marks. Biology AC Night-Peel, A-Derma, €24.50
Colored pencils for makeup
The latest discovery of TikTokers? Dip the lead of schoolgirls pencils in hot water before using them to apply makeup on your lips, cheeks or eyes.
Why shouldn’t you do it? The pigments in these pencils have not been tested on the skin and even less on the eyes. However, to be able to be used in this area, the regulations are very strict, they must be ophthalmologically tested. So applying makeup with colored pencils can be really dangerous: they risk causing allergies. Not to mention that their texture is not at all pleasant to apply to the thin and fragile skin around the eyes.
The real solution: If you find that the pencil is practical, know that there are shadows in this format intended for the eyes, lips or cheeks, which have undergone a battery of tests to ensure their complete safety.
Suitable products:
Clever.Eyepencil Trio, Kiko Milano, €16.99
Fondant. Magnetic Eye Color Pencil, Nudestix, €26
Contouring with sunscreen
To sculpt the face, some influencers apply their sunscreen only to the rounded areas. The sun naturally tans the others, creating the desired contrast.
Why shouldn’t you do it? We can not emphasize this enough : UV exposure without a sunscreen is a no-no! With this type of behavior, sunburn on unprotected areas is almost certain and the latter remains a burn. Not to mention the risk of premature aging which will reveal wrinkles and brown spots a few years later.
The real solution: carry out your contouring using a powder, stick or foundation one to two shades darker than your skin tone. Place them under the cheekbone, the edges of the nose, the top of the forehead and blend with a brush for a natural look.
Suitable products:
Accurate. Contour Stylus, Victoria Beckham, €40
Creamy. The Cloud Paint Bronzer, Glossier, €28
Shampoo once a month
The trend of hair training has the wind in its sails. His goal ? Reduce washing to train the scalp to produce less sebum. With this method, some would only wash their hair once a month.
Why shouldn’t you do it? Because dust, pollution residues, styling products and sebum accumulate on the scalp. He needs to be rid of them to be healthy. Of course, daily washing is not necessary but hair should be washed at least once or twice a week depending on the environment in which you live.
The real solution: favor gentle shampoos, which do not strip the scalp and respect the skin flora. Choose it suited to your needs and between washes, brush the hair well to remove impurities and stretch the sebum down to the lengths.
Suitable products:
Sanitizer. Purifying Shampoo, La Rosée, €15.90
Costs. Clean Detox Shampoo, Fruit Energy, €5.70
Glycolic acid as a deodorant
One of the latest fads of TikTokers? Replace deodorant with glycolic acid to eliminate bad odors. They therefore pass a cotton pad soaked in this active ingredient over the armpits.
Why shouldn’t you do it? This exfoliating active ingredient is renowned for its effectiveness in treating imperfections, residual acne marks or brown spots. On the armpits, the epidermis is already sensitized by hair removal, it is therefore not not recommended to attack it with a peel, which risks altering the skin barrier and irritating it. On the other hand, he does not no action on perspiration production.
The real solution: It is better to use a dedicated formula, which has been dermatologically tested on this fragile area and whose active ingredients regulate perspiration and bad odors, while respecting the microbiome. For the most fragile skin, certain textures such as creams have been designed to provide even more softness.
Suitable products:
High tolerance. Absorbent Deo Stick 48h, Alvadiem, €12.20
Natural. Caring Microbiome Smart Deodorant, Freshly Cosmetics, €15.95
Thanks to Lionel de Benetti, cosmetologist and Dr Anny Cohen-Letessier, dermatologist.
Loose powder in mascara
This tip, intended to prevent the material from leaking, risks altering the formula, causing the powder to migrate into the eyes and therefore causing irritation or allergies. We forget and we turn to a waterproof mascara if necessary.
Towel wavy
You may have seen videos of young women wrapping a towel around their lengths to achieve a wavy effect. Although the result may be stunning in the moment, it absolutely does not hold up in the long term.
Avoid homemade mixes
“Before they are placed on the market, cosmetic formulas are all tested, in order to check, among other things, the compatibility of the ingredients with each other. Certain molecules react in the presence of others, which is why it is not recommended to incorporate them yourself. even an ingredient in a product. You risk to cancel the profits of certain assetsor worse, cause irritation to your skin. As for using products or ingredients found in your kitchen, remember that they are not made for that. They do not offer results as convincing as the extracts that can be used in cosmetics and are much less sensory. And once again, beware of mixtures, because not all mixtures are good for the skin.“
Thanks to Lionel de Benetti, cosmetologist