If you want to start the new year with healthier, glowing skin, there’s one big change dermatologists want you to make to your skincare routine.
When TODAY.com surveyed six dermatologists for their top skincare tip for 2025, they all said the same thing: ditch the DIY social media trends.
“Leave TikTok DIY skincare trends behind, like making your own sunscreen at home or putting all kinds of things on your face,” says Dr. Joyce Park, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Refinery Clinic, told TODAY.com. Ingredients like baking soda, lemon juice and beef tallow are recommended on social media, she says, but there’s not the right evidence for them.
Plus, some DIY trends, like homemade sunscreen or chemical peels, can be really harmful to your skin. And they may do exactly the opposite of what you hope for, the experts warn.
Avoid DIY skin care trends on social media
“Stop the DIY,” says Dr. Shasa Hu, associate professor in the department of dermatology and skin surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, told TODAY.com. “No more DIY sunscreen, hair bleaching or microneedling at home,” she says.
These activities “often do more harm than good,” says Hu, adding that they can cause allergic reactions and skin infections or lead to permanent skin pigmentation, scarring or increased sun sensitivity.
Sunscreen is definitely not something you should do yourself, says Dr. Shari Lipner, associate professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical Center, told TODAY.com.
“Some TikTok influencers are advocating making sunscreen at home that also contains anti-aging ingredients,” she says. “The downside to this is that these sunscreens are unregulated and can lead to sunburn, skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer, as well as irritate your skin.”
Lipner also warns against applying a chemical peel at home. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration warned in July that some at-home chemical peels “may contain high levels of harmful ingredients that can cause scarring of the skin,” says Lipner. For best results, consult a board-certified dermatologist instead, she adds.
You should also avoid social media’s new favorite “natural” moisturizer: beef tallow, Dr. Fatima Fahs, a board-certified dermatologist based in Michigan and founder of Dermy Doc Box, told TODAY.com.
“Put down the beef fat and reach for the well-formulated, science-backed moisturizer instead,” she says. “Beef fat can be very occlusive and even clog pores, so oily and acne-prone skin types should steer clear,” says Fahs.
Furthermore, anything made at home rather than formulated and tested for impurities or contamination in a lab is “a recipe for disaster, including the possibility of bacteria and even mold,” says Fahs.
Those looking for deep hydration should instead opt for a product that contains well-researched ingredients such as glycerin and ceramides. “Just because something is ‘natural’ doesn’t make it good for your skin,” she adds.
Instead, try a simple, consistent, science-based skin care routine. Most skincare trends on social media, such as hyped-up ingredients and at-home devices, “won’t stand the test of time,” agrees Dr. Evan Rieder, a board member. -certified dermatologist in New York City. That’s why he avoids trends and instead “leans on the basics,” Rieder tells TODAY.com.
In fact, all of TODAY.com’s dermatologists spoke to encourage people to start with a tried-and-true, simple routine that you can stick to every day.
“By 2025, I hope people will realize that less is more when it comes to skin care routines,” says Dr. Nada Elbuluk, associate professor of clinical dermatology and founding director of the Skin of Color & Pigmentary Disorders Program at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, TODAY.com.
Common products like toners, for example, aren’t really necessary, she says, and social media recommendations shouldn’t always be followed.
“Go back to basics,” Hu explains. “The foundation of skin care is to cleanse, moisturize and protect. And sunscreen is non-negotiable.” Once you have a routine that gives you those basics, you can add a new step each time to make sure it works for your skin type, she adds.
When you’re ready to add extra steps, Rieder and Lipner both recommend opting for evidence-based antioxidants (like vitamin C) and retinoids to help manage acne and signs of aging.
Finally, Hu says she also hopes that by 2025, people will “increase self-love” and embrace the natural fluctuations of their skin. “We are not meant to always have perfect, poreless or glassy skin,” she says, adding that younger people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of unrealistic beauty standards set on social media.
But even adults are constantly encouraged to “change our routine because we have been influenced by products that claim to achieve skin perfection,” Hu continues. “Instead, I’d like to see people focus on skin that feels good (and) healthy, rather than looking ‘perfect’.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
