Pharmacy Daily | Dispensary Corner 19 Sep 25

HAVE "skinfluencers" lured you into a "glow trap" and left you with "influencer inflammation"?

Yes, it seems TikTok has done it again, with more portmanteaus, buzz words and social media-induced afflictions, this time around skincare routines.

Dermatologists are reporting that red, irritated skin is on the rise among people trying TikTok beauty regimens doing more harm than good.

Such routines are generally based on lots of steps using lots of products, with the Korean 12-step routine possibly the zenith: oil cleanser, foam cleanser, exfoliator, toner, essence, ampoule, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturiser, and sunscreen, often with an optional sleeping mask and sometimes an extra step for a serum or treatment.

One patient who presented to a dermatologist with irritant dermatitis was undertaking a less demanding, but still high-powered regimen, comprising a foaming cleanser, followed by glycolic acid toner, vitamin C serum, niacinamide and retinol.

When her regimen was cut back to a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen, her skin quickly recovered - it doesn't have to be complicated.

For people suffering from skin irritation and skincare product overload, dermatologists recommend switching to products free of irritants such as fragrance, essential oils and formaldehyde, and sticking to a simpler regimen with fewer products and fewer ingredients.