10 Beauty Products Overhyped on TikTok (And What Works Instead)

10 Beauty Products Overhyped on TikTok (And What Works Instead)

10 Beauty Products Overhyped on TikTok (And What Works Instead)
© Byrdie

TikTok has become a powerful platform for beauty product recommendations, but not everything that goes viral delivers on its promises. Many products gain massive popularity through clever marketing rather than actual effectiveness. Before emptying your wallet on the latest trending item, it’s worth knowing which products might not live up to the hype and what alternatives could work better for your skin and budget.

1. Peel-off Lip Stains: More Pain Than Gain

Peel-off Lip Stains: More Pain Than Gain
© leekszone

Those vibrant peel-off lip stains flooding your FYP might look magical, but the reality is far less enchanting. Brands like Wonderskin and Cilrofelr promise transfer-proof color that lasts all day, yet most users experience painful application, uneven color payoff, and severely dehydrated lips afterward.

The blue mask application process makes for captivating videos, but the harsh ingredients often contain alcohol and synthetic dyes that can cause irritation. Many dermatologists warn against the pulling effect of peel-off products, which can damage delicate lip tissue over time.

Skip the peeling drama and opt for Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Oil or Clinique Almost Lipstick instead. These provide natural-looking color while actually nourishing your lips with beneficial ingredients rather than stripping them dry.

2. Volufiline “Topical Filler” Creams: The Plumping Pretenders

Volufiline
© NewBeauty

Remember when everyone swore that slathering Volufiline cream on their face was just like getting injectable fillers? The before-and-after videos looked convincing enough to make thousands reach for their credit cards. What these viral posts failed to mention: clinical studies show these topical products typically achieve only a 2% volume increase at best.

The active ingredient, derived from plant extracts, simply cannot penetrate deeply enough to create significant, lasting results. Many dermatologists point out that temporary swelling from irritation is often mistaken for actual volumizing effects.

For genuine plumping results, try products containing proven hydrators like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides. The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 or CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Night Cream deliver visible improvement without false promises.

3. Sunscreen Contouring: The Dangerous Sculpting Trend

Sunscreen Contouring: The Dangerous Sculpting Trend
© lllyunjin7

“Tan-touring” swept through TikTok with creators strategically applying sunscreen to create contoured facial features. The concept seemed genius – protect some areas while letting others tan naturally for a makeup-free sculpted look.

Dermatologists collectively gasped in horror. This trend fundamentally misunderstands sun damage, as UV rays don’t discriminate between areas you want to contour and those you don’t. Deliberately leaving parts of your face unprotected dramatically increases your risk of premature aging and skin cancer.

Create definition safely by applying SPF 30+ sunscreen evenly across your entire face, then use bronzing powders or cream contour products on top. Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer or Fenty Beauty Match Stix provide the sculpted look without compromising your skin’s health.

4. DIY Chemical Peels: At-Home Acid Disasters

DIY Chemical Peels: At-Home Acid Disasters
© CosMedic LaserMD

“Just order this 30% TCA peel and do it yourself!” proclaimed countless TikTok skincare gurus. The appeal is understandable – professional chemical peels can cost hundreds while DIY versions promise the same results for under $30.

What these videos rarely show are the chemical burns, scarring, and hyperpigmentation that often follow amateur applications. High-concentration acids require professional training to apply safely. Even more concerning is the trend of DIY mole removal using these acids, which can mask potential skin cancers while causing permanent damage.

For safe exfoliation, choose gentle over-the-counter products with lower concentrations of AHAs or BHAs. The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 5% or Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant provide effective results without the risk of damaging your skin barrier.

5. Budget LED Face Masks: Dim Results for Bright Promises

Budget LED Face Masks: Dim Results for Bright Promises
© LA Lips

Those futuristic-looking LED masks dominating your feed claim to zap acne, boost collagen, and deliver professional-level light therapy from your couch. The colorful glow makes for eye-catching content, but dermatologists remain skeptical about most affordable options.

The issue lies in light intensity and wavelength precision. Clinical-grade LED therapy uses specific wavelengths at high energy outputs that most at-home devices simply can’t match. Many budget masks (under $300) lack the power to penetrate skin deeply enough to trigger meaningful cellular changes.

If you’re serious about LED therapy, invest in clinical treatments or save for medical-grade devices with FDA clearance like the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite. Alternatively, focus your skincare budget on proven ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C that deliver more reliable results.

6. Sharpies as Lip Liners: The Toxic Beauty Hack

Sharpies as Lip Liners: The Toxic Beauty Hack
© New York Post

When creators started using permanent markers as long-lasting lip liners, millions watched in fascination. The promise of smudge-proof definition that lasts for days had viewers reaching for office supplies instead of makeup.

Dermatologists and toxicologists immediately sounded alarms. Despite claims about “non-toxic” markers, permanent Sharpies contain propanol, xylene and other solvents never intended for mucous membranes. These chemicals can cause severe irritation, allergic reactions, and potentially even more serious health issues with repeated use.

For budge-proof lip definition without the poison risk, try NYX Professional Matte Lip Liner or Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon. These affordable options offer impressive staying power using cosmetic-grade ingredients specifically formulated for safe lip application. Your lips deserve better than office supplies.

7. 10-Step Night Routines: Layer Overkill

10-Step Night Routines: Layer Overkill
© Essence

“The more products, the better your skin!” – this mantra has led to viral nighttime routines featuring essence, ampoule, serum, oil, cream, mask and more. The satisfaction of applying multiple layers makes for oddly satisfying content, especially with the trendy “morning shed” effect showing skin flaking off the next day.

Dermatologists consistently warn that layering numerous active ingredients often leads to irritation, compromised skin barriers, and ingredient conflicts. That satisfying skin shedding? Actually a sign of irritation, not successful exfoliation.

Simplify your routine with quality over quantity. A gentle cleanser, one targeted treatment (like retinol or glycolic acid), and a nourishing moisturizer will outperform complicated routines. Brands like CeraVe and La Roche-Posay offer effective formulations without unnecessary steps that waste both money and time.

8. DIY Kitchen Ingredient Masks: Pantry Problems

DIY Kitchen Ingredient Masks: Pantry Problems
© anitad517

Raw egg whites for pore tightening. Coffee grounds for exfoliation. Crushed aspirin paste for acne. These DIY kitchen concoctions rack up millions of views with promises of transformative results using items already in your home.

The appeal is understandable, but dermatologists cringe at these recommendations. Raw eggs can harbor salmonella. Coffee grounds create micro-tears in skin. Aspirin’s acidity disrupts your skin’s natural pH balance. None of these ingredients undergo the stability and safety testing required for actual skincare products.

Instead of raiding your pantry, try affordable formulated alternatives. The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% costs less than most DIY ingredients combined while providing scientifically-backed benefits for oil control and pore appearance. Your face deserves better than food-grade experimentation.

9. Apple Stem Cell Products: Fruitless Anti-Aging Claims

Apple Stem Cell Products: Fruitless Anti-Aging Claims
© Amazon.com

“Plant stem cells that regenerate your skin cells!” – this compelling claim has made apple stem cell serums and creams TikTok sensations. The science sounds revolutionary: stem cells from rare Swiss apples supposedly transfer their regenerative properties to human skin.

The biological reality? Plant stem cells cannot communicate with or transform human cells. These ingredients simply cannot survive processing, packaging, or application to perform as claimed. Most benefits users experience come from the moisturizing base ingredients, not the headline-grabbing stem cells.

For proven age-management results, choose products with established ingredients like retinol, peptides, and antioxidants. CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer deliver science-backed benefits at accessible price points without the pseudoscience marketing.

10. Pore Vacuum Devices: Suction Destruction

Pore Vacuum Devices: Suction Destruction
© Reviva Labs

Those satisfying videos of pore vacuums extracting blackheads and sebum have convinced millions to buy these at-home suction devices. The close-up footage of gunk being extracted is undeniably captivating content fodder.

Dermatologists warn these devices typically use excessive suction that can damage delicate facial capillaries, causing broken blood vessels and lasting redness. Many users experience bruising, irritation, and even worsened acne from the trauma these devices inflict on skin.

For safer pore clearing, incorporate products with beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, which dissolve excess oil and clear congestion from within. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or CeraVe SA Cleanser work with your skin’s biology rather than against it. For stubborn blackheads, professional extractions by licensed estheticians remain the safest physical removal method.

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