TikTok has become the go-to spot for skincare enthusiasts due to its treasure trove of viral sensations. While pickle facials and “slugging” may raise eyebrows with their eccentricity, practices like facial yoga, gua sha massages, and LED light therapies offer a relatively more mainstream approach to skincare, but which ones are the most popular?
The team at Longevita.co.uk conducted research to uncover the most popular skincare trends on TikTok in 2024 by extracting which trends have accumulated the most views. Facial aesthetics doctor Dr. Gizem Seymenoglu then provided insights to guide beauty enthusiasts through these skincare sensations.
#1 Face Yoga – 2.9 Billion Views
With 2.9 billion views on TikTok, face yoga reigns as the platform’s most popular skincare trend. Notably, it’s not only entirely natural but also comes at no cost.
Facial yoga comprises several exercises targeting the face, neck as well as shoulders aimed at improving blood circulation, toning and strengthening the muscles and promoting lymphatic drainage.
Dr Gizem notes: “Face yoga can be quite beneficial and has the potential to improve the overall appearance of the face.”
“The best part about it is that you can do it at home, but you have to make sure that your hands and face are clean before you do it. You can use a serum or face oil to glide your fingers more easily once you start.”
Working out the muscles of the face, one purported benefit of this practice is also for signs of ageing, including wrinkles, fine lines and sagginess.
#2 Microneedling – 2.1 Billion Views
Racking up an impressive 2.1 billion views on TikTok, microneedling, also known as dermarolling, is the second-most popular skincare trend sweeping the internet.
Dr Gizem explains: “When microneedling, micro-punches or holes are made into the skin with the goal of inducing the production of collagen and elastin. It can actually be quite beneficial, helping tighten the skin and making wrinkles and fine lines disappear.”
“However, this isn’t something you should DIY because much care has been taken to not puncture the skin too deeply. With the wrong technique, you can do a lot of damage to your skin.”
“There are important considerations about the general state of the skin as well. It’s not advised if you have an active acne flare-up, for instance, as the infection can go underneath the skin, so it’s best not to do this at home,” she added.
#3 Lymphatic Drainage Massage – 1.1 Billion Views
Another free and natural skincare trend with over 1 billion views on TikTok is the lymphatic drainage massage.
Although not new, it not only helps with lymphedema – a chronic condition that results in the build-up of lymph fluid in the body, but some also recommend it for post-surgical swelling and recovery.
Dr Gizem notes that it can be a valuable addition to your skincare routine as it might help reduce puffiness and improve blood flow to the face.
#3 Double Cleansing – 1.1 Billion Views
A skincare sensation rivalling lymphatic drainage massage in popularity is that of double cleansing, also boasting an impressive 1.1 billion views.
“Personally, I believe that double cleansing is very important in removing makeup, sunscreen, accumulated oils and dirt on your face,” says Dr Gizem.
“It’s especially vital to do so in the evening, and even if you don’t wear makeup, it’s still crucial.”
However, she also says that it’s “equally important that you use the right product according to the needs of your skin.”
For instance, if you have dry skin, you may end up worsening your problem by using a product that’s too harsh or stripping. So, while it’s good to double cleanse, you have to be careful how you do it.
#5 Skin Cycling – 769.2 Million Views
With over 769 million views on TikTok, the idea behind skin cycling is to alternate the use of active skincare ingredients with periods of “rest.”
While it might be relatively new, it’s also getting more and more attention for its potential benefits in preventing skin irritation and inflammation.
It also has Dr Gizem’s seal of approval, as using too many active skincare ingredients can potentially damage the barrier of the skin, which is why this practice can be helpful as well.
#6 Inside Out Beauty – 728.9 Million Views
Inside Out Beauty, a.k.a., Neuro-glow is a relatively novel approach to beauty, and it’s more than just skin deep, which may explain how it has amassed almost 729 million views on TikTok and sixth place as the most popular TikTok skincare sensation.
It’s a more holistic way of improving physical beauty in that it also focuses on the mental and emotional well-being of the individual. As the saying goes, when you’re happy on the inside, it also shows on the outside.
#7 Gua Sha Facial Massage – 610.9 Million Views
With over 610 million views, gua sha massage ranks as the seventh most popular skincare trend on TikTok.
It’s an alternative therapy that’s not only aimed at relieving tension and reducing pain but also improving blood circulation. Additionally, it is also believed to help with the movement of the lymph.
However, since it involves scraping the skin with a stone, Dr Gizem notes it’s important that you don’t use it too harshly, as that might damage your skin in turn.
#8 Red Light Therapy – 272.8 Million Views
LED light therapy has more recently been exploding in popularity as well, and it already has 244.4 million views on TikTok.
There are a number of skin concerns this therapy is believed to help with, including acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema, among others. LED light therapy is also said to promote the production of collagen and help with signs of ageing.
While Dr Gizem also thinks it can be good for the skin, she notes the importance of using it regularly: “You’re not going to notice any difference by using this device once or twice. Consistency is important to see any results.”
#9 Skin Streaming – 29.5 Million Views
Referring to a “streamlining” of the skincare routine, skin streaming is still up and coming in the world of skincare trends, with nearly 30 million views on TikTok.
In stark contrast to the elaborate 10 or 20-step skincare regimens, this approach embraces simplicity with a less-is-more philosophy.
Dr Gizem says: “Skin streaming can be good, but you need to be aware of the needs of your skin.”
“Using too many products and acid on the face can damage your skin barrier. However, you should be using serums in appropriate amounts to treat and nurture the skin.”
“But keep in mind that your serums will need to change with the weather conditions and the evolving needs of your skin.”
“Without the necessary serums, you can still have good skin, but you might notice the signs of ageing appear more quickly.”
Methodology
- Longevita.co.uk sought to reveal the most popular skincare trends and tips according to the public for 2024, using TikTok views as a popularity metric.
- First, Longevita researched trends and tips from reputable online sources such as Allure, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour Magazine, Refinery29, and Vogue, among others, to curate a final list comprising 9 trends.
- To identify only the most popular trends, ingredients were excluded e.g. SPF, as it didn’t specify a trend.
- To collect the number of views, the exact name of each trend was researched e.g. #ledlightterapy, and then ranked by their popularity.
- Dr. Gizem Seymenoglu examined the seed list of trends, providing an expert opinion.
- Data is live and collected on 4 March 2024, so it can change.
