If you didn't already know, I spend nearly 28 hours a week scrolling on TikTok. Yes, you read that right. Twenty-eight (on an average week).
It probably sounds very "chronically online" of me. The truth is these skincare, GRWM and beauty videos are extremely therapeutic for me. Sometimes, they're what get me through a stressful news day. (Maybe therapy would be helpful, but these 5-second clips will do for now).
So, like many of you, the algorithm has fed me a plethora of beauty products— both cheap and expensive. I've seen the Tatcha moisturizers. The Ordinary AHA/BHA peel. The luxury La Mer line. And because of my lack of self-control, I spent much of the pandemic purchasing these products in the hopes that even one will be a quick-fix for glowy, glass skin.
With that said, what works for some may not work for others. Everyone's skin is different. Moisturizers, actives and peels that TikTok users swear by have absolutely ruined my sensitive skin.
Today, I'm here to share some of those with you.
Disclaimer: This is just MY personal experience and MY opinion about products I bought with my own money. I have notoriously sensitive skin. What doesn't work for me may work perfectly for you, so don't let this deter you (and consult a dermatologist for professional insight. I'm just a mediocre, newbie blogger).
Here are 5 viral TikTok products that I personally hate.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
I had such high hopes for this one. Dozens of before-and-after clips on TikTok showcased a revolutionary transformation, from dull and flaky to poreless and glowy. I wanted that. I needed that. Like other chemical exfoliants, it's supposed to gently shed off layers of dead skin for a smoother surface. But this one in particular broke me out: I'm talking both big whiteheads and tiny bumps appearing across my previously textureless skin— which went away only when I stopped using it. It turns out that one of its ingredients, Polysorbate-20, breaks me out, which I now avoid at all costs. However, this isn't to deter you from the power of chemical exfoliants: I'm lucky to have found another one that has really revolutionized the skincare game for me (more to come later). But I didn't want to toss this highly-acclaimed product, so I actually use it on my neck and chest once a week instead!
CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
When I saw how hydrated people's skin looked with this viral product, I was immediately hooked. I'm a huge fan of the dewy, plump look, so I personally didn't mind its sticky consistency. But after weeks of using this, I noticed it was clogging my pores and breaking me out in tiny, colorless bumps (which I later learned is called fungal acne). Technically, all the ingredients in this essence are FA-safe (which you can analyze on apps like Sezia). But it was just a miss for me, and I prefer hyaluronic acid serums for hydration instead.
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Acne Pimple Patch Micropoint
This one wasn't bad, but for the price point, I expected better results. I mean, it's $13 for SIX small patches. I've used these for nearly a year, typically for those under-the-skin, hard zits that won't go away, and I saw a very minimal difference. Instead, I'd personally recommend benzoyl peroxide for blind pimples, or even the other Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patches , which comes with 36 patches for the same price. (But if anyone has other good micropoint pimple patch recommendations, please let me know!)
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Therapeutic Multi Purpose Cream
Last summer, I experienced one of the worst eczema flares of my life. Nothing — Vaseline, Aquaphor, aloe vera even topical prescriptions— could alleviate the redness or burning sensation that prevented me from sleeping. TikTok came to the rescue with the recommendation of this popular (and affordable) balm — or so I thought: For me, it exacerbated my flares. It was probably too occlusive for my skin type (the consistency is very thick), but take my words with a grain of salt: Not even my dermatologist has been able to find anything to sooth my eczema, so I may just be a special, unlucky outlier. (So I'm all ears for your eczema holy grails!)
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, there's nothing I enjoy more than a self-care night, exfoliating my lips and topping it off with this thick, intensive balm (in Original Berry). I love the scent and don't find it too strong or overwhelming. With that being said, I've had better results and longer hydration with Aquaphor (found at most drug stores for ~$10). In contrast, the Laneige lip mask, as pretty as its packaging is, left my lips feeling chapped again after 2 hours. I think it's a great holiday gift for a friend or family member. But is it something I'll buy again? Probably not.
Of course, please remember these are just my opinions. It's been a long, years-long process of trial-and-error, sticking with a product for months before ditching it. With that said, there are also so many amazing, holy grails I've discovered thanks to TikTok— but that's for next week!
As always, I appreciate any of your comments, recommendations or experiences with these products.
Thanks for reading- and see you next Monday!
Jenna
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