How TikTok had Made Clear Skin Accessible

For many, visiting a skin care specialist has been a venture too out of pocket for those interested in improving their skin.

The assumption that a good skin care routine requires “self-investment”, through high-end splurges, is a common one and creates a feeling of apathy in many with long-term skin conditions who fear bankruptcy is the way to solve their cosmetic ailments.

However, since the beginning of the pandemic, the video-sharing app TikTok has surged in popularity. More and more creators have jumped on the app to provide a wealth of free knowledge and access for those desperate for a skin care miracle.

The hashtag #skincare has had over 13.9 Billion views and videos on the topic regularly go viral and supply crucial information to people feeling un-empowered by their ineffective or non-existent skin care routines.

The inclusivity on this app differs from many other platforms as the narrative that there is no one-size fits all approach in skin care is a key message that is articulated by accounts such as @Whatsonvisface and @SkincarebyHyram.

Nevertheless, TikTok’s unique ability to foster an inclusive skin care community is largely due to its young audience. The key demographics on the app are young people with little to no spending money which has created a demand for TikTok accounts presenting cheaper but still effective alternatives.

A recent trend that has emerged from this is the rise of “drugstore dupes” to counter the exclusivity of expensive upmarket brands such as Clinique and La Roche Posay.

The skin care community on TikTok is also known for its transparency with skin care gurus open about the damaging effects of popular brands such as St. Ives, Garnier, CleanNClear and Nivea.

Discussions about these brands’ ineffective formulas and contribution to long term damage for their users has developed an open and honest conversation, with many users stating that they trust the advice given to them by accounts such as @Benneiley.

Accounts such as these are instead redirecting their fans towards similarly cheap but less established brands such as The Ordinary, Versed, Good Molecules, The Inkey List and CeraVe.

At times, well-known accounts like @SkinCareByHyram will even completely reject traditional beauty treatments for inexpensive non-traditional remedies such as anti-dandruff shampoo as a face wash for Fungal Acne or home remedies from everyday items like honey to combat Hyperpigmentation.

Some may critique TikTok’s contribution to excessive consumerism with YouTube videos titled #TikTokMadeMeBuy garnering millions of views.

However, the accessibility of cheap, effective products means that for those scouring the app looking for remedies to solve cosmetic issues, the options they find won’t break the bank too much.

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash