TikTok can make a 12-year-old think they need retinol and a 10-step routine, and it can make grown adults feel behind because they still have pores. We sit down with Abby Sipe, a dermatology nurse practitioner and mom raising Gen Z kids, to separate what is actually good for your skin from what is just good content.
We break viral skincare into three clear buckets: helpful trends (like smarter skin barrier repair and better sunscreen habits), overhyped add-ons that are usually fine if you enjoy them, and the truly harmful stuff that can leave you inflamed or infected. You will hear practical, evidence-based guidance on choosing a sunscreen you will wear, when to consider mineral vs chemical sunscreen, and how to respond when someone says they stopped SPF because they heard it was “toxic.” We also talk about why “million-step” routines cause irritation, why at-home microneedling is risky, and what UV maxing and UV contouring are really doing to your skin long term.
Along the way, we do a fun rapid-fire “trot or not” on buzzy ingredients and hacks like azelaic acid, niacinamide, snail mucin, hypochlorous acid spray, spicules “liquid microneedling,” beef tallow, and even the old toothpaste-for-acne myth. The goal is not to shame anyone, it is to help you build a simple skincare routine that protects your skin barrier, prevents skin cancer, and keeps expectations realistic in a world full of filters.
If this helped you rethink your routine, subscribe, share with a friend who lives on skincare TikTok, and leave a review so more people can find science-first skincare advice.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in the Derm-it Trotter! podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the guests’ or host’s institution or employers. The Derm-it Trotter! Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
