Well, that was all wishful thinking. The pandemic was kind enough to bring us full-day meetings on Zoom, where I was forced to look at myself all.day.long. While I’d like to pretend I’m still a young spring chicken (I’m turning 35 next month!), Zoom has taught me that is no longer accurate and wrinkles are creeping up everywhere! Once I opened the world of TikTok (and yes, got through all the TikTok cleaning hacks and TikTok kitchen hacks) I was really impressed to see how many videos there are of people demonstrating how to best care for your skin to get the results you want. Yes, some of these videos are done by brand ambassadors but beyond the brands, you can learn what you should be applying to your face, how frequently and how much product you should use. I rounded up the top 10 TikTok skincare hacks to try that actually worked for me.
TikTok Skincare Hacks
Sunscreen: I realize this may sound like a no-brainer for many, but growing up I didn’t get sunburnt often so I was never worried if I have to apply sunscreen. It just seemed like an annoying and often expensive extra. Now I have realized regardless of your skin tone sunscreen should be a staple of your morning routine, regardless of the season. Sunscreen should go on top of your moisturizer and this is the one product you should apply liberally. Cream Cleanser: I have a good rule in life, if the step is too complicated, I most likely won’t do it consistently. For years I have loved the ease of disposable makeup wipes and that is how I cleaned my face every night. I have begun to realize that these makeup wipes were barely removing my makeup and they weren’t even close to properly cleaning my skin. Some of the hottest trends on TikTok include double cleansing, which is extremely impressive. I invested in a cream cleanser, which is not as much of a hassle as I imagined it would be and I do feel like I’m going to bed with a clean face every night. https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.tomassian/video/6916570341754096901?_d=secCgYIASAHKAESMgowCx8FW%2BJup5C69cRjv%2BlwkiQxI6alikl7%2FJCSe4fS9S8gU3dYPWzKYVapKfY1dr9%2BGgA%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAz9MhzRl8gG8_YMsicz9vCVQZUn-3GZSNNvwUu82KfTCPMOIUsp-DDJ3i67EwcHjr&share_app_id=1233&share_item_id=6916570341754096901&share_link_id=D20654E6-090E-4088-889D-FAB9863502DA&source=h5_m×tamp=1622152047&tt_from=copy&u_code=di3m6hb99ed1d9&user_id=6950717934521009158&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy&_r=1 Retinol: Retinol seems like one of those miracle products that can help your skin in a variety of ways including uneven texture, dark spots, and aging skin. I started using a Retinol in an effort to combat my fine lines, which seem less fine and far more alarming by each Zoom call. I think using Retinol is really a long-term strategy that I plan to continually use regularly to help prevent wrinkles and improve the ones that I already have. Many advocate for starting retinol off only a few days a week and always following up with a moisturizer. Luckily I had no issues adding this to my routine and now apply it nightly. Toner: I love how easy toners are to use, but there is a huge variety in what toners can promise for your routine. In my routine, I have found toners helpful to remove any excess dirt or makeup. Toner is a great way to moisturize as well, it’s also said to help with sunburns and bug bites. Currently in my shopping cart, I have a product that should minimize the look of my pores, it’s important to select the toner that is going to suit your needs. This video helps break down how to most effectively use toner. Moisturizer: The holy grail of skincare is moisturizer! Both for your face and body, moisturizer is tremendously important. When it comes to face moisturizers there are several different kinds based on your needs, your needs can also change as you age or the seasons change. This is a product that people like to experiment with a bit more. This video helps explain the differences in moisturizers and how to get the best one for you. Liquid Exfoliant: A liquid exfoliant is intended to be a more gentle exfoliant process, but I’ll warn you, it may result in you just rubbing your skin in disbelief. Liquid Exfoliant is another step in the routine that should be incorporated slowly to ensure the skin has sufficient time to recover. There are plenty of budget-friendly ones that are loved by many TikTokers. https://www.tiktok.com/@levitate.beauty/video/6867344310522744070?_d=secCgYIASAHKAESMgowsngdDDhbCocfRI2YdkJH6kuaeIZnwiy9X6BYTV8EOs05js%2BpiYdelWW24fMq9l9SGgA%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAz9MhzRl8gG8_YMsicz9vCVQZUn-3GZSNNvwUu82KfTCPMOIUsp-DDJ3i67EwcHjr&share_app_id=1233&share_item_id=6867344310522744070&share_link_id=71607550-52D4-4E43-A66E-B89D59B4AB09&source=h5_m×tamp=1622155561&tt_from=copy&u_code=di3m6hb99ed1d9&user_id=6950717934521009158&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy&_r=1 Argentine Solution: TikTokers call this Botox in a bottle and I have to agree. I have what apparently is called ‘11s’ which is those angry lines in between my eyebrows, giving me a forever stern expression. Over the past few months, these lines have made me think long and hard about Botox. I figured I would try this Argentine Solution and I have been so impressed—within a few weeks use, my deep lines have significantly improved. I recognize not everyone is cursed with these angry lines but this could work wonders on wrinkles as well. Lactic Acid: As a newbie to good skincare routines, I had never heard of Lactic Acid, but it’s all over TikTok. Lactic Acid can be great if you have acne-prone skin, as it helps remove all of the dead skin and help give your skin more glow. This video really helps break down why you should try it but not use it every night. Vitamin C: I thought Vitamin C originally was just referring to a refreshing glass of orange juice in the morning, but now it has become a must-have step in your skin routine. Vitamin C has been touted to have great skin benefits, including brightening your skin, reducing blemishes and improving skin tone. This video shows how difficult it can be to find a good Vitamin C product, but does a great job of breaking down what to look for. How to apply all of these: Each product has its own directions for use, but one thing TikTok has taught me is less is more, (for everything other than sunscreen) and the order in which you apply the product does matters to ensure your skin can properly absorb it. This is a great video that walks you through each step, but for the Cliff Notes version, the lighter/thinner the serum or cream, the earlier you should apply it in your routine. Hopefully, my skin will forgive me for all the years of neglect and this new skincare routine will help prevent any additional aging. Next, check out 44 TikTok viral recipes that are easy to make!