10 Genius TikTok Skin Care Hacks That'll Upgrade Your Beauty Routine

If you're dealing with skin inflammation, grab an ice cube. Westchester, New York-based esthetician Willis is all about using the freezer staple on angry zits. To try it, she recommends wrapping an ice cube in a plastic bag or paper towel and rubbing it over breakouts after cleansing. Her tip? Do this for just one to two minutes in a continuous motion. Then, finish your routine with your go-to acne treatment — something with breakout-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur — to effectively treat the spot.

Oil cleansing is a face washing method that uses, well, oil to remove makeup and gunk from your skin. And, according to the TikTok community, it can help get rid of blackheads. Beauty influencer OpulentJade tried oil cleansing for 15 to 20 minutes (which she learned from an esthetician on TikTok) and found that it got rid of those pesky black spots on her pores. Using this type of cleanser before your regular face wash can effectively remove these spots — also known as oil plugs — that lie deep beneath your skin's surface.

Applying beauty products to dry skin is the number one mistake board-certified dermatologist Angelo Landriscina sees people making. If you put your toners, serums and moisturizers onto damp skin, it'll optimize the products' function by giving the occlusives (or ingredients that form a protective, moisturizing barrier on the skin's surface) and the humectants — aka ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid — that pull moisture into your skin — something to hold onto. His tip? Use a face mist, essence, or simply tap water to get your face primed for the rest of your routine.

If you find yourself reapplying lip balm every few minutes, this hack is for you. Dr. Shah, also known as Dermdoctor on TikTok, explains that many lip balms contain ingredients like camphor, menthol, and peppermint that can sometimes cause irritation and lead to constant reapplying. His tip? Use a petroleum-based product like Aquaphor, the CeraVe Healing Ointment, or Vaseline for longer-lasting moisture.

Maskne, aka skin irritation and breakouts that happen from wearing face masks for extended periods of time, is a common concern these days. According to Willis, it helps to swap the laundry detergent or cleanser you're using to wash your masks with. That's because, she explains, many are formulated with lots of fragrance, which is a common skin irritant. Instead, she recommends switching to a sensitive-skin friendly, dermatologist-approved, or baby formula detergent to help prevent irritation and zits.

According to Dr. Shah, every skin type can benefit from using a chemical exfoliant. In one TikTok, he breaks down which exfoliating acid to choose based on your skin concern: salicylic acid for acne and oil control, azelaic acid for dark spots, glycolic acid to exfoliate normal skin, and lactic acid for dry skin.

This hack is a life-saver for anyone who struggles with breakouts. Board-certified dermatologist and TikTok user Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., says that hydrocolloid band-aids help zits heal faster. Though he notes that they don't take the place of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid acne treatments, these patches form a protective seal over your pimple and help pull out excess oil — and it's a hack many people have been posting about.

You know the feeling you get after using a sheet mask? According to this skin care-savvy TikTok user, you can get that plump, supple skin boost in just 15 seconds by layering on some hydrating beauty products. He suggests applying a toner or essence several times, waiting a few seconds between each application. The end result is a dewy, moisturized glow — which is much needed this time of year.

Another tip for getting more out of the products you're using? This TikTok user says that warming your hands right after application is an easy way to help with absorption and to boost circulation in your face — just rub your hands together and then gently press them onto your skin.

You don't need a face roller to get the skin-sculpting benefits. According to this esthetician on TikTok, you can DIY your own anti-aging massage by using just your fingers. The motion boosts circulation and works to give a slight lifting effect.

Studies Referenced:

Nishimura, H. (2016). Analysis of morphological changes after facial massage by a novel approach using three‐dimensional computed tomography. Skin Research & Technology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/srt.12345

Purnamawati, S. (2017). The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clinical Medicine & Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/

Tran, A. (2010). Acute allergic contact dermatitis of the lips from peppermint oil in a lip balm. Dermatitis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20233551/

Zeichner, J. (2013). New Insights Into Azelaic Acid. Practical Dermatology. https://practicaldermatology.com/articles/2013-mar/new-insights-into-azelaic-acid