Two-thirds of TikTok influencers are making skincare mistakes

Booking software Fresha has identified the most common skincare mistakes made by TikTok creators across 100 of the most-viewed videos tagged #GRWM (get ready with me) and #skincareroutine.

The most common issue across skincare routines was pulling on the skin too harshly when applying products, with 60% of creators found guilty of this.

Fresha shared that it’s important to be gentle when applying products to the face and neck: “When rubbing in moisturiser, serums, or sun cream, it’s important to do so in circular motions or to tap it in lightly, as pulling on the skin can make it harder for products to absorb and can cause irritation or dryness.

The second-most prevalent skincare mistake was skipping essential steps or not using products in the correct order, with more than half (54%) of creators caught doing so. The product most of these creators skipped was toner, while almost as many missed cleanser.

“Skipping products means you miss out on benefits like removing residual dirt, oil, and debris from the face while applying them incorrectly reduces their effectiveness. For example, applying sunscreen before moisturiser rather than after will dilute the impact of your SPF.

Rounding out the top three most common skincare mistakes is not applying products to the chest or neck alongside the face, with just as many (54%) influencers skipping this.

”Finally, applying moisturising products to your neck and chest is important to reduce signs of premature aging, as these delicate areas are especially prone to dehydration.”

Concerningly, more than one in five influencers (22%) didn’t apply sunscreen or SPF after their morning skincare routine, leaving their skin vulnerable to sun damage.

Other common mistakes spotted across the skincare routines were putting unclean fingers into product jars, with over a third (36%) of creators doing this, and 30% of videos saw creators wash their face using either too hot or too cold water.