The TikTok Skin Care Trends That Are Actually Worth Trying — And the Ones to Skip

There is no shortage of viral beauty hacks, new must-have products and unconventional tips and tricks on TikTok. It seems like every few days there is a new viral trend that’s better, showier and more gimmicky than the one before it. With so much beauty and skin care information floating through the app, it can be tough to decipher what trends are worth trying and what trends are worth scrolling past. 

With the help of Dr. Joshua Zeichner, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist (and director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital) and L’Oréal Paris consultant, we take a look at under-eye patches, face taping and a few more viral social media trends that have captured our attention for good and bad. Take notes as we break down seven TikTok skin care trends to let you know which ones are actually worth your time and effort.

1. Under-Eye Patches

Under-eye patches are a self-care hack turned TikTok skin care trend and if you’re like us, you can’t help but wonder if they’re purely for aesthetics or if they actually work to target specific under-eye concerns. 

“When they are applied to the skin, they offer hydration and skin barrier repair effects,” says Zeichner. “When [eye] patches are chilled before application to the skin, they help [to] reduce redness, improve swelling or puffiness and in some cases can help brighten under-eye skin.” 

There you have it, under-eye patches definitely work and they make a strong case for hopping on the fellow skin care fridge trend. Gel under-eye patches are commonly infused with ingredients to target specific concerns, so look for ones with hyaluronic acid or caffeine to soothe, hydrate and de-puff under-eye bags.

When we can’t get our hands on under-eye patches, we love the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid + 1% Caffeine Eye Serum. The triple ball roller applicator helps to de-puff the under-eyes and makes for a soothing, massage-inspired treat when you store it in your skin care fridge.

2. Tantouring

If you need tips and tricks for perfecting your self-tan game, turning to TikTok will show you a whole new world of advice. The fan-favorite tantouring involves self-tanner and using it as a way to contour your face. As wild as this trend sounds at first, it has the potential to be a truly game-changing and time-saving beauty hack. 

To tantour your face, always reach for a self-tanning product that is specifically formulated for your complexion like the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Water Mist, Vitamin E. Spray your brush or makeup sponge and apply the self-tanner to the hollows of your cheek as you would contour. 

It may take some trial and error to get it right and remember, it’s always better to use less self-tanner and apply extra later. While self-tanner can look more like bronzer than cool-toned contour, this trend is a great way to hack a bronzed complexion without exposing yourself to harmful UV rays. 

3. Slugging

Overnight, slugging became the hottest, viral TikTok trend and quickly erupted into this easy, miracle skin fix that everyone should be participating in. Slugging is a K-Beauty trend and includes the act of slathering petroleum jelly all over your face in the last step of your nighttime skin care routine to lock in serums, moisture and prevent water loss. It’s easy and sounds appealing because it can make a huge difference for your skin — but this doesn’t mean slugging is good for everyone. 

The American Academy of Dermatology, (AAD) advises that anyone with acne-prone skin should avoid slathering petroleum jelly all over their face because it can cause breakouts. But, those with dry, dehydrated and even sensitive skin may see a drastic improvement after slugging which shows that the success of the trend is highly dependent on your skin type. 

For those with acne-prone skin looking to reap the rewards of overnight skin care, try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Overnight Mask. This overnight mask doubles as a moisturizer for all skin types and works to lock in moisture, brighten skin and visibly reduce wrinkles.

4. Fun Pimple Patches

It’s safe to say that TikTok trends favor all types of cutesy, statement-making skin care. No need to cover up your pimple with a regular spot treatment when you can use a fun, trendy pimple patch. TikTok users and creators can be found sporting pimple patches in an array of playful shapes like stars or hearts, even going as far as to wear them out in public. 

Luckily, playful pimple patches are more than just a fashion statement and can help to reduce the size and redness of your blemishes, speeding up the natural healing process. Plus, a fun pimple patch helps you to avoid popping your pimples (a huge no-no) so think of it as a win-win.

5. Skin Care Fridges

There’s something about a mini skin care fridge and the way they always make an appearance in social media trends. Besides the fact that they’re totally adorable (and super satisfying to peek into when expertly organized), they also help to add an extra cooling benefit to your favorite products. 

As we mentioned earlier, try sticking your under-eye patches, serums, moisturizers and sheet masks inside to give your skin a pleasant and cool pick-me-up. You may not need a skin care fridge but you definitely may want one for the burst of soothing coolness they provide to your skin and the way they elevate all aspects of self-care.

Editor’s tip: Store your morning serums in the skin care fridge for a cooling treat that helps to de-puff, refresh and wake up the skin. Our morning skin care fridge picks include the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum and the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum.

6. Face Taping

Face taping is a buzzy new trend that has taken over skin care TikTok and involves taping your forehead while you sleep to soften wrinkles, prevent their formation and even act as an alternative to Botox. “If a skin care hack seems too good to be true, then it likely is,” says Zeichner. “While face taping may help minimize moving of the skin in a particular area, it will not prevent movement in the way that injectable treatments like Botox [can].” 

While it may sound like face taping can be beneficial in preventing the early formation of wrinkles, you may want to rethink it altogether. “Face taping will likely provide only modest benefits [to] treat fine lines and wrinkles,” Zeichner continues. “I do not recommend this fad because the tape against the skin can often lead to irritation and inflammation, requiring professional care.”

7. At-Home Facials

TikTok loves a good DIY but sometimes, they can cause more harm than good. At-home facials with extractions (and extraction tools) can worsen your acne and skin concerns by causing scarring, delaying the natural healing process and even leading to infection. It’s best to sit this trend out and opt for a detoxing face mask like the L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask to draw out impurities and purify the skin.

Next: 7 Cheap and Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Press-On Nails

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo credit: IG @/kevynmannu, Design by: Crystal Simone