How TikTok Is Negatively Affecting Teens’ View of Skincare

Carlene Dittrich
Nov 25
3 min read

Updated: Nov 29

Tweens + Teens: Acne = Identity

What they’re dealing with:

Hormones
Stress
Social media filters
Comparison culture

What it represents emotionally:

Acne feels like a flaw that defines THEM, not just their skin. Teens worry:

“People think I’m dirty.”
“No one will like me.”
“Everyone is looking at me.”

And online beauty standards pressure them to appear “effortlessly perfect.” Filters make fake skin look normal, so normal that natural skin looks flawed. I remember being a teen and being bothered by kids at school making fun of my pimples. Now, not only do these teens have the pressure of their peers at school, but there is an entirely new world of keyboard warriors that will make fun of them relentlessly behind the privacy of a screen.

Where does TiKTok enter the picture?

Result: They become obsessed with fast fixes, harsh routines, and sometimes unrealistic expectations.

1. Unrealistic Expectations & Instant Results Culture

TikTok glorifies overnight transformations, but real skin health takes consistency and time.

Teens start believing:

A product should work in 24–48 hours

“Perfect skin” is achievable for everyone

If they aren’t glowing immediately, the product is “bad.”

This leads to frustration, product hopping, and damage from overuse.

2. Overuse of Harsh Actives - This one is the most scary for us at Visage' MEDISPA, in East Setauket, near: Port Jeff, Three Village, Poquott, Stony Brook

Many trending routines encourage:

Retinol at too young an age

High-strength acids

Peels, exfoliants, and “skin cycling” without guidance

Unsafe DIY hacks

Teens end up with:

Impaired moisture barriers

Sensitivity

Breakouts from irritation

Long-term inflammation

Premature aging

3. Product Overload & Mixing Ingredients Incorrectly

TikTok influencers often layer 5–10 products without explaining how or why.

Teens then copy routines that combine:

Retinol + AHAs/BHAs

Vitamin C + exfoliants

Physical + chemical exfoliation

This results in:

Barrier breakdown

Redness

Peeling

Increased acne

Increased sun sensitivity

4. Influence From Unqualified “Experts”

Most advice comes from:

Influencers with no training

Teen creators just sharing what “worked for them”

Brand-sponsored content disguised as education

Teens assume popularity = authority.

5. Obsession With “Perfect Skin”

TikTok filters and beauty standards create:

Skin dysmorphia

Anxiety about pores, texture, and normal blemishes

The belief that pores shouldn’t exist

Shame around normal hormonal acne

Many young viewers suddenly think they “need” professional treatments early—even when their skin is healthy.

6. Marketing That Encourages Overbuying

TikTok drives trends like:

“Hauls”

“You need this now” culture

Jumping on the “it product” of the week

This wastes money and pushes teens to constantly switch products, which never allows their skin time to acclimate.

7. Skipping the Basics

Teens prioritize trendy products over fundamentals.

They often lack:

A simple cleanser

Proper SPF

A balanced moisturizer

But they have:

Multiple serums

High-concentration actives

Masks every night

This creates imbalance and worsens conditions.

8. Fear-Mongering and Misinformation

TikTok often spreads panic around ingredients like:

“Toxic” sunscreen

“Pore-clogging” moisturizers

“Dangerous” products based on non-science

This leads teens to avoid products they need and replace them with what’s trendy, not what’s effective.

How a Professional Can Help

This is where a med spa like Visage’ MEDISPA steps in:

✔ Correcting misinformation

✔ Rebuilding damaged skin barriers

✔ Creating age-appropriate routines

✔ Teaching long-term skin health

✔ Preventing teens from harming their skin early

This brings us to our next step - When do you know if your tween is ready for their first Facial?

How Old Should they be?

Most experts agree that ages 12–13 is an appropriate time for a first facial. This is when hormones begin to fluctuate, pores become more active, and early skincare education can truly help prevent long-term issues.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Ages 10–12: “Intro to Skincare” Stage

👉Not typically ready for full facials yet, but great for:

👉Learning proper cleansing and SPF habits

👉Gentle extractions only if necessary

👉Talking about changes happening in their skin

Ages 12–13+: Ideal Time for a First Facial

At this age, teens start dealing with:

👉Oiliness

👉Blackheads

👉Hormonal breakouts

👉Texture changes

A professional teen facial can help safely manage these issues before they become severe.

Ages 14–17: Active Acne Stage

Regular facials can be extremely helpful for:

Deep cleansing

Professional-grade exfoliation

Managing breakouts

Preventing acne scars

Teaching healthy skincare habits

What We Always Avoid in Younger Skin:

❌ Harsh chemical peels

❌ High-strength retinol

❌ Aggressive exfoliation

❌ Adult anti-aging treatments

The Most Important Part? Education.

A good teen facial isn’t just about products, it's about teaching them:

✔️ How to build a simple routine

✔️ Why picking causes scarring

✔️ What ingredients are safe

✔️ How to avoid TikTok skincare mistakes

At Visage’ MEDISPA, we customize teen facials to be gentle, hydrating, and age-appropriate, while giving them confidence and healthier habits for life.