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!
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, my makeup 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.
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!
