3 Skincare Trends to Avoid (and What to Do Instead)

If we went by the word of social media, not a week would go by without all of us adopting another life-changing skincare “hack” or purchasing another “best ever” viral skincare product. We’d be broke, but we would all have achieved preternaturally flawless porcelain glass skin by now.

Of course, that hasn’t happened. Viral skincare trends come and go at an ever-accelerating pace these days, thanks to the frenetic pace of the social media hype cycle. Most of the trends don’t last long, because most are all hype and no substance. But some skincare trends are actually harmful. Avoid these for the health of your skin!

1. Pore vacuums

DIY home skincare devices are all the rage, and for good reason: Many skincare lovers don’t have the budget or time to get skin treatments at a spa. The promise of DIY facials at a lower cost and at any time you have free is alluring.

At-home pore vacuums are perfectly positioned for social media success. They’re small and easy to use, and they create great visuals for Tiktoks and Instagram Reels. Unfortunately, in untrained hands, they can also cause permanent damage to skin. Applying too much pressure or too much suction to skin can burst capillaries, leading to permanent red streaks. Pore vacuums may also aggravate rosacea and other skin conditions.

Do this instead: To keep pores clear and minimize their appearance, use a 2% salicylic acid toner or pad nightly and consider a clay mask once a week or as needed. Try The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution and Innisfree’s iconic Pore Clearing Clay Mask.

2. Sunscreen avoidance

We’re officially predicting it: In the coming months, you’ll start to see anti-sunscreen content gaining more and more traction on every social media platform.

We’re confident in our prediction because, well, it happens every year. Starting in spring and quickly gaining momentum by the summer months, many in the beauty and wellness crowd will be telling you that SPF does more harm than good. Specific reasons may vary, but the core premise is always the same. Chemicals bad. Sunlight good.

The core premise is incorrect. Decades of research show that exposure to UV radiation is not only the primary cause of skin cancer. It’s also the cause of the majority of visible skin aging. Meanwhile, UV filters are regulated as drugs. They’re subject to far more rigorous safety and efficacy testing than most cosmetic ingredients. Credible scientific and medical bodies agree that there is no evidence that sunscreens are harmful to human health when used as directed.

Do this instead: Find a high-protection, cosmetically elegant sunscreen that you can wear comfortably every day. Then wear it every day. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is a great place to start.

3. Banana peel as “natural Botox”

Have you seen this one yet? Beauty influencers are rubbing the insides of banana peels on their faces and declaring them a natural substitute for Botox. They really mean the class of neurotoxins, including Botox, which are injected into the face to paralyze facial muscles in order to reduce or prevent expression lines.

There is nothing in a banana peel that will approximate the actual effects of a neurotoxin injection. In fact, many of the influencers promoting this trend admit it in their captions. Rubbing a banana peel may make skin temporarily softer and smoother due to the hydrating and emollient compounds naturally present in banana peels. Skin may also receive some antioxidant benefits. That’s about it. And while a banana peel scrub probably won’t hurt, there are a near-infinite number of more cosmetically elegant ways to moisturize your skin.

Do this instead: If you want to get rid of expression lines by paralyzing facial muscles, find a reputable injector. If you want softer, smoother, and more moisturized skin, use moisturizer. A banana peel might be good in a pinch—let’s say if you get stranded on a desert island without your skincare routine—but moisturizers are actually formulated for use on skin and will deliver more benefits. CeraVe’s classic moisturizing cream softens and nourishes dry skin while repairing a damaged barrier for an all-over smoother glow, no bananas needed.

Don’t let social media trends dictate your skincare routine or harm your skin health!