Skincare videos on TikTok could be harmful for girls - researchers

Skincare regimes promoted by young influencers on TikTok not only offer little to no benefit but also raise the risk of skin irritations and allergies in children, researchers have found.

- Nicola Davis

The team behind the study said there had been a rise in young girls sharing complex skincare routines with moisturisers, toners, acne treatments and anti-ageing products.

They found the regimes were not only laborious - some girls woke up at 4.30am to fit them in - but pricey, unnecessary and potentially harmful.

Dr Molly Hales, the first author of the research, from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, said: "The risks associated with using these products, especially in young girls, far outweighs whatever marginal benefit you may get from using the active ingredients."

Hales acknowledged that social media could be a place for playfulness and self-expression, but said: "The danger is when girls get the message that this is something that they have to do to take care of their skin and to protect their health."

She said a gentle cleanser once or twice a day and the application of sunscreen was sufficient, and added: "These [other] products don't increase the health of your skin, and they probably worsen your skin integrity over time."