Viral Skincare Trends Worth The Hype & Not Worth The Hype
I have to say, I am a little extra excited to make this blog today. As a Derm PA and a content creator, a lot of skincare trends pop up on my feed. I should preface that there are certain skin topics that become trending, that I am all for! For example, there has been a lot of awareness on skin barrier recently, that I fully support. On the flip side, there have been a ton of trends I am desperate to debunk (cough USING COCONUT OIL AS SUNSCREEN cough). In this blog, I am going to give you the scoop on some of the trends I am obsessed with, and the ones I need to go away for good.
WORTH THE HYPE
SLUGGING: This one might be obvious, considering I literally wrote an entire blog on the subject, but I am all for slugging (especially in colder months). I should emphasize that, like any skin trend, slugging needs to be done appropriately for it to be beneficial. Slugging works by preventing water loss, ensuring skin stays hydrated (why I love this technique in cold, dry weather). Additionally, it supports skin barrier repair by creating an optimal environment for healing.
SKIN MINIMALISM: For starters, I love that the focus of this one is on the quality of your products over the quantity. I am constantly saying that all you need is 3-4 steps with high quality and effective products. I love a routine with less products, so you can commit to them more. What I mean by that is sticking with a 3-4 step routine every single day, is far superior to a 10 step routine you do most of the time. Need tips on how to build a minimalistic (& effective routine)? Here are my sample AM and PM 3-5 step routines.
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RED LIGHT THERAPY: You’ve probably seen this one all over your feed, and let me tell you, it’s for good reason. I have been committing to use an LED mask 5-6 days a week, and I truly believe it’s made a difference. Just in case you haven’t heard about red light therapy, it’s basically a targeted light therapy to promote collagen production and reduce inflammation. I, personally, love it especially for combating my hyperpigmentation, ability to stimulate collagen production and increase circulation, and even out skin tone. Use code “AMYK10” for a discount!
SKIN BARRIER FOCUS:If you’ve been following me for a while, you know this is not just a “trend” to me. It’s quite literally the foundation of healthy skin. I love that people are finally paying attention to their barrier, because so many common skin concerns (irritation, breakouts, sensitivity) trace back to barrier disruption. The key here is not overcomplicating it. Focus on gentle cleansing, consistent moisturization, and being mindful/intentional with actives.
NECK CARE: Ok I want to be careful with how I say this one. You’ve probably heard that your neck is one of the first areas to show signs of aging, and it’s 100% true. But I think with that awareness, people are starting to swing to the opposite extreme and feel like they need every neck cream and treatment out there.
Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some targeted products and treatments I support. But I am a firm believer that the most effective approach is much simpler: extend your existing skincare down. Think cleanser, antioxidant, moisturizer, and SPF. Consistency here will always matter more than adding a bunch of extra products.SKINCARE-FOCUSED MAKEUP: TBH I feel silly even bringing this one up as a question. If you’ve ever seen my ShopMyShelf (or pretty much any newsletter of mine), you know I’m not using makeup that doesn’t support my skin.As someone who struggled with acne through most of my 20s, I used to feel like wearing makeup was undoing any progress I made. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. There are now so many options formulated with ingredients like SPF, antioxidants, and hydrating agents.
At this point, I rarely reach for a beauty product that doesn’t support my skin in some way.
The one thing I always emphasize: these should complement your routine, not replace it. A bronzer with SPF? Amazing. Relying on it alone for sun protection? Not so much.
ECTOIN: This is a more under-the-radar ingredient that I think deserves some attention. Ectoin is known for its ability to support the skin barrier and protect against environmental stressors. Do you need it? No. But if you have sensitive or reactive skin, it can be a really nice addition.
It’s one of the main ingredients in my current favorite cleanser!
PEPTIDES:Peptides are everywhere right now, and I understand why. Peptides are a great supporting ingredient. They can help improve the look of fine lines, support the barrier, and make skin feel more resilient over time. I do just want to preface (because I’ve been seeing this narrative brought up on social media), peptides are not a replacement for retinoids or a “one product fixes everything” solution. Think of them as a nice addition, not the main driver of results.
DERMAPLANING: Another trend that I love so much that I literally filmed a youtube video and wrote a blog about. Again, when done accurately, dermaplaning (aka shaving your face) is one of my favorite techniques to remove peach fuzz and gently exfoliate. I also find that after I dermaplane, mymakeup applies so nicely! Bonus points because the tinkle razors are so affordable & effective. If you’ve never dermaplaned before, make sure to watch my step by step tutorial.
Note: people on the internet will have you believing you cannot safely shave your face at home and that these “cheap” razors are harmful. You can and they are not.
NOT WORTH THE HYPE
10 STEP SKINCARE ROUTINE: We are going to start off the “not worth the hype” trends strong. As you probably picked up from me promoting minimalistic effective skincare, I am not a fan of a 10 step skincare routine. I know it can be hard to not romanticize the idea of an extensive routine. The reality of the situation is this: not only will this 10 step routine be ridiculously expensive, but there is also a good chance your skin will be left irritated. Not to mention, doing 10 steps every morning and every night is just not sustainable. I would assume that you are far more likely to skip a routine altogether if it’s going to take you 40 minutes, vs one that will take 10 minutes tops.
SUNSCREEN CONTOURING: Cue the eye roll. The “goal” of this is strategically placing sunscreen on your face allowing certain areas to tan, creating a contoured look. I assume the hope with this is to naturally contour without using makeup. What you’re actually getting is strategically placed sun damage. I can never support intentionally not using sunscreen. You’re literally exposing your skin to danger by leaving any part of it unprotected in the sun, for the sake of tan lines. This is a hard pass for me and if you don’t want to be lasering off your contour sun spots in 10 years, it should be for you, too.
OVERPRICED SKINCARE: I feel like I should preface this one by saying, do I love an occasional bougie product? Absolutely. However, do I stand by the concept that it is necessary to only get overpriced skincare or that the higher the price point the better? Absolutely not. Some of my favorite skin care brands (like Naturium, Cetaphil, PanOxyl or Bubble, to name just a few) are incredibly budget friendly! Especially with products like cleansers and moisturizers, there are so many incredible ones on the market for less than $20.
CLEAN BEAUTY:I don’t support the “clean beauty” trend for skincare because it relies on fear-based marketing rather than science. The term “clean” is unregulated and often misleads consumers into thinking conventional products are harmful, which is rarely the case. Many ingredients banned by clean beauty brands are scientifically proven to be safe in the levels used, and conventional skincare should not be feared. While I absolutely respect individual choices, I encourage a focus on evidence-based skincare to achieve real, measurable results, rather than being swayed by unfounded claims or misinformation. Tbh this is a topic I can go on and on about, let me know if I should write a separate blog about it!
EWG APP: The EWG app for skincare decisions is a no for me, because its ratings are based on incomplete and often misleading science (I love what Dr Michelle Wong says about this topic on my recent podcast episode). The app evaluates products solely by scanning ingredient lists, without considering crucial toxicology principles like dosage, formulation, or how ingredients interact with each other. Safety depends on the percentage of an ingredient and how it’s used, which ingredient lists alone cannot reveal. Moreover, the EWG frequently misinterprets or cherry-picks scientific studies to support its claims, perpetuating fear-based misinformation rather than evidence-based guidance. I highly encourage trusting a reputable brand with rigorous toxicology reviews, rather than relying on an app that oversimplifies safety and efficacy.
PIMPLE PATCHES WITH MICRODARTS: I want to be clear here because I think there’s a lot of confusion. I do like classic hydrocolloid pimple patches. They can help protect the area, prevent picking, and support healing. But they’re really just managing the damage once a breakout has already formed, not treating the root cause.
Where I take issue is with the microdart versions. These are designed to push active ingredients deeper into the skin, and in my opinion, that’s where things can get a little risky. You’re introducing ingredients in a way that isn’t always necessary or well-controlled, which can lead to irritation and barrier disruption (especially on already inflamed skin). If you’re going to use a pimple patch, keep it simple. A standard hydrocolloid patch does exactly what it needs to do without overcomplicating the process.
BEEF TALLOW: Ugh is my initial reaction to this. While it’s being marketed as a “natural” alternative, it’s not formulated with the same level of precision, stability, or testing as modern skincare. Just because something is natural does not automatically make it better (or even appropriate) for your skin. Tbh this just feels like 2016 when everyone started using coconut oil as their only form of skincare.
TOOTHPASTE AS A SPOT TREATMENT: I’ve been seeing this one resurface again, and I’m not a fan (to say the least). Toothpaste is not formulated for your skin, it’s formulated for your teeth. Ingredients like fluoride, menthol, and sodium lauryl sulfate can be incredibly irritating, especially on already inflamed breakouts.
While it might temporarily “dry out” a pimple, it often disrupts the skin barrier and causes additional irritation.
This is also exactly why I always recommend cleansing after brushing your teeth. Even small amounts of leftover toothpaste around the mouth can contribute to breakouts and irritation over time.
I hope this blog encourages you to absolutely watch and enjoy the trends, but take them with a grain of salt! Don’t be afraid to do your own research and figure out what works best for you and your skin! DM me any other trends I should cover in my underhyped or overhyped blogs.
**Disclaimer: This post does not constitute medical device. Please speak to your Dermatology provider before adding any at home procedures or products into your routine!
