TikTok Skincare Trends: A Parent & Teen Guide to Healthy, Happy Skin

The world of skincare has made its way into the teenage bedroom, and it’s often via TikTok. Short, snappy videos promise “glass skin” and “instant glow,” and before you know it, teens as young as 12 are layering multiple serums, acids, and retinoids like mini dermatologists.

I read a Northwestern Medicine study that detailed a fascinating and, honestly, worrying report for parents and skincare professionals. Researchers looked at skincare routines posted on TikTok by girls aged 7 to 18 and found that many were using an average of six products per routine, often layering strong active ingredients like retinoids, exfoliating acids, and potent vitamin C. While these actives can be beneficial for mature or problem skin when used correctly, the study warns that on young, still-developing skin, they can damage the skin barrier and lead to allergic contact dermatitis, a reaction that can persist for life.

Why? Children and teens have more permeable skin barriers than adults, making them more susceptible to irritation, sensitisation, and long-term immune responses to certain cosmetic ingredients. Once the skin’s immune system “learns” to see a substance as a threat, it can react every time that ingredient shows up in a product, forever.

The bigger issue here is education. TikTok trends often skip over safety guidelines, patch testing, or the idea that skincare should be tailored to age, skin type, and condition. Many teens are chasing the “10-step routine” aesthetic without realising that gentle, simple care is best for their age group, which is:

• Mild, pH-balanced cleanser
• Lightweight moisturizer
• Daily sunscreen

Everything else, serums, acids, retinol, should be introduced only with professional guidance.

So, what’s the problem, and how can parents and teens create a safe, effective skincare routine that actually works? 

Too Much, Too Soon Can Hurt Young Skin

Imagine your skin barrier as a protective castle wall. In teens, that wall is still in its prime, strong, healthy, and doing a great job keeping moisture in and irritants out. When you overload it with harsh exfoliating acids, potent vitamin C, or retinoids too early, it’s like sending in a wrecking crew to “improve” the wall when it doesn’t need fixing.

Once that barrier is damaged, skin becomes more vulnerable to:

• Redness and stinging
• Allergic contact dermatitis (which can last a lifetime)
• Breakouts from an overcompensating oil flow
• Long-term sensitivity

Less Is More for Young Skin

Here’s the good news: healthy, glowing teen skin is best maintained with a simple, gentle routine. You don’t need 10 products, just three daily basics:

1. Cleanse – Morning and night with a mild, hydrating cleanser to remove excess oil, sweat, and dirt without stripping the skin.

     My favourite is: SOTHYS Purifying Foaming Gel – a gentle, hydrating cleanser with iris and meadowsweet extracts that clears daily impurities without drying. Perfect for combination or oily teen skin.

2. Moisturise & Protect – A lightweight cream keeps skin hydrated and supports a strong skin barrier.

     My favourite is: SOTHYS Enhancing Cream with Enzymes – with probiotics to strengthen the skin, calming niacinamide, and gentle pomegranate enzymes for a fresh, smooth feel without irritation.

3. Sun Protection – The most important step! UV rays can cause damage all year round, leading to premature aging and pigmentation, even in young skin.

     My favourite is: Manola Health Sun Shield SPF 50+ – invisible feel, non-comedogenic, and perfect for daily wear.

     Or: Manola Natural Tinted BB Cream SPF 30 – with calendula and chamomile to soothe and repair, plus raspberry oil and mineral UV filters for a natural, radiant glow.

When to Add More

Specialty products, like serums with active ingredients, can be helpful if there’s a specific skin concern (persistent acne, significant pigmentation, eczema), but these should be introduced slowly and with professional guidance from a beauty therapist or dermatologist.

If you’re dealing with breakouts, keep it gentle. Harsh “acne products” can strip the skin and make it worse. Instead, book a consultation to get a targeted, skin-friendly solution.

How Parents Can Help

• Start the conversation early – Many teens start buying products based on social media before they fully understand how they work.
• Make it a team project – Offer to research products together, focusing on those that are gentle, age-appropriate, and backed by science.
• Promote healthy skin habits – Sleep, balanced nutrition, hydration, and sunscreen are just as important as what’s in the bathroom cabinet.

The best teen skincare routine is simple: cleanse, moisturise, and protect. That’s it. Avoid the temptation of TikTok trends that promise miracles in a bottle; they can end up costing more in skin repairs than they’re worth.

By sticking to gentle, high-quality products and learning the “why” behind skincare steps, teens can enjoy healthy, glowing skin now and protect it for the future.

Remember: great skin isn’t about using the most products, it’s about using the right ones, in the right way.

💌 Click here to join my newsletter now:  SUBSCRIBE

You’ll receive:

• Weekly skincare tips and myth-busting advice
• Expert product recommendations
• Updates on the upcoming coaching program
• And a few little surprises just for subscribers…