When You See The Results Of These 28 Cheap Skincare Items, You'll Be Mad At Yourself For Waiting So Long To Buy 'Em
1. A piercing bump solution for anyone who was looking to get a new piercing, not grow a new nose. If you get cursed with a keloid bump after getting pierced, this is designed to soften, shrink, and relieve those bumps in a blast! This all-natural formula is safe all over your body and rich with jojoba oil, grape seed oil, rose, lavender, turmeric, and rosemary. Honestly...it sounds delicious (don't drink it).
To use, apply 2–3 times a daily.
Talk to your doctor before attempting to treat your keloid on your own, and learn more about keloids from Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "This product is amazing! Truly a miracle product. I had an AWFUL keloid forming near my nose piercing about six weeks after getting it done and it was getting bigger and more irritated by the day, nothing was helping. I bought this and started using it and in less than two weeks my huge keloid was completely gone! I was definitely skeptical and a little nervous when it didn't seem to be getting noticeably smaller after a week but then the second week, it started totally disappearing so give it some time to work if your bump is on the larger side. If you remain patient and apply it twice a day, it should do the trick!" — Jordan Caprigno
Get it from Amazon for $12.85 (available in a multiple pack sizes).
2. Medicube's "Zero Pore" Pads, a beloved Korean skincare secret with a magical mix of lactic and salicylic acid that'll redefine what "smooth" means to your skin. The dual-textured toner pads both exfoliate and refine your pores, making your face feel positively silky soft.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I kept seeing this product on social media and finally decided to give it a try. I use this twice daily and it's been a couple of weeks and I definitely noticed my pores have shrunk. I even apply it to my neck and chest area. Product is soothing, gentle on my skin (have extremely sensitive skin), no strong smell, cottons are soft, and did not cause any breakouts! It's great for the value and I'll definity be repurchasing these." — Ee El
Get a pack of 70 from Amazon for $17 (available in three other styles).
3. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm, a must-have K-beauty product for anyone trying to achieve gorgeous, glowing, glass skin. This all-in-one moisturizer is formulated for your lips, eyes, and neck which is one of the many reasons it's been such a sensation on TikTok. This uses salmon complex and collagen to reduce fine lines while enhancing your skin with a smooth, hydrating glow for a "just out of the shower" effect.
I own this! I got it after finding it in a BuzzFeed article (yeah, they get me too) and it quickly became a necessity in my skincare routine. I tend to not wear makeup so anything I put on my skin, even for aesthetic, has to have a purpose. I also need the simplest skincare system possible or I wont do it, which has made this multi-use balm a real gift in my life! It feels so, so good and leaves my skin looking fresh.
Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly, this stick is life changing!!! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me and will def try the others!" — Kristy
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in seven other formulas).
4. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel (with over 40,000 five-star reviews!!) to get your neglected winter feet sandal-season ready — to use this spiffy stuff, just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let it sit, and rinse. Then watch in wonder as you scrape off *years* worth of calluses.
There's also an extra-strength version!
Promising review:"Best foot callus remover I have ever used! I read a lot of the reviews before purchasing this product. Most callus removers I have purchased in the past were not very effective. So I was encouraged by the reviews. I saw that a lot of reviewers mentioned to be very careful not to leave it on longer than three or four minutes. My feet were the softest they have ever been. Love love love." — Cheri whisker
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles).
5. A paraben-free self-tanner with a mousse texture so you can apply the product evenly (unlike thicker lotions that leave distinct lines behind). Use this if you'd rather not look like you spent all winter hibernating in a cave when swimsuit season arrives.
www.amazon.com
This product is reviewer-adored and very impressive, but you can also enjoy that porcelain pale skin all you want! I'm the palest person at the beach all summer long and I'm happy as a clam.
Promising review: 'If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. Dries quickly, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies evenly, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I've used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hand lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!' — Review Writer
Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in various shades/styles).
6. And an exfoliating mitten lots of folks love for preventing ingrown hairs, reducing KP, and smoothing out their skin before applying tanning lotion.
www.amazon.com
Several reviewers say they just throw theirs right in the washing machine to clean it! They also make a smaller one designed for the bikini area and a long, narrow back scrubber for hard-to-reach areas.
Promising review:"MAGIC. HOLY CRAP, I LOVE THIS MIT! This cleared up 80% of the 'chicken skin' I have INSTANTLY after one use. Also, it took off way more dead skin than any scrub I've ever used. I never write reviews, so I had to when I got this and loved it." — Cheyanne
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in two colors and as a pair).
7. E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops, frugal reviewers have excitedly compared to Glow Recipe's $35 Watermelon Dew Drops. If you'd like to see your skin bright and plump with a *chef's kiss* dewy glow, this is gonna be your favorite stuff! It's lightweight enough to wear alone or apply under your makeup. Bless.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "Love these drops. So effective, a little goes a long way. Great for a boost of hydration, especially in the colder and/or drier months. Great as a primer before makeup to smooth the skin. Such a value for a product that packs a punch. My skin hasn't looked better!" — Ken
Get it from Amazon for $11.97.
8. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener (made with a *chef's kiss* mix of hydraulic acid and shea butter), which became a knockout success once reviewers started raving en mass about the product's instant invisible coverage. If you're looking for quick and easy results that suggest you don't even require sleep...you've come to the right brightener.
The color-adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone.
Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Monica T.
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in three shades).
9. Or Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel that'll be beloved by people who drink up yerba mate like it's water from the actual Fountain of Youth. And that's not the only powerful ingredient this gel has to offer! It also boasts three unique forms of hyaluronic acid to moisturize and revitalize the skin under your eyes. There are no dark circles here, my dear!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Saw this on TikTok and decided to give it a try since the price was amazing. OMG, buy it. I've always had dark circles under my eyes and now fine lines and crow's-feet. While this doesn't completely eliminate my dark circles, the fine lines are really diminished. It wears extremely well under makeup and doesn't feel cakey, or like there's a ton of product on." — K. Grant
Get it from Amazon for $5.98.
10. A foot peel mask formulated to soften dry, cracked, and aching feet. These are coated in a paraben-free formula of fruit acids. After putting your feet up and relaxing for 60 minutes, you're done! You can expect your hard skin to start shedding in 6–11 days.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:" These foot masks have helped me save loads at the salon. I love soft pretty feet, but they aren't cheap. I am also so ticklish that pedicures are challenging for the poor people working on my feet. While these masks aren't fast, the extra time is well worth the time and savings. I wear the mask for an hour as instructed, and then just shower or bath as usual. After three days, you notice the dead skin peeling off, and in a week, my feet are salon-soft and smooth. I have sensitive skin and worried this product might cause a negative reaction, but my worries were for nothing. Happy feet, and happy wallet." — Sommer Thyme
Get it from Amazon for $15.
11. PanOxyl Antimicrobial Hydrating Acne Creamy Wash — if you've been hoping their OG foaming wash worked on your sensitive skin, they heard your wish! Not only is this great on sensitive skin, but it'll also help clear up acne-causing bacteria on your whole body! It's designed to get rid of existing acne and prevent further breakouts by deep-cleaning your pores. A gift!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This formula contains 4% Benzoyl peroxide, so reviewers without sensitive skin prefer this to the foaming 10% version, which packs a powerful punch.
Promising review:"This works like no other. Sometimes, when products have no lather, I can't tell if it's working, tbh. This has no lather but works! Improves breakouts and textured skin. I saw results in four days." — Ellice D. Ellis
Get it from Amazon for $9.77 (available in different sizes).
12. Rael "Miracle Invisible Spot Cover" Pimple Patches for anyone who thinks the best skincare treat they could possibly give themselves is pimple patches that don't shout, "Look over here at this vacuum-sealed pimple bursting from my face!" These have the same hydrocolloid formula for relieving the redness, swelling, and pus from breakouts *without* the usual show-and-tell.
Promising review:"I recently tried this pimple patch and it's incredible! It's truly invisible, blends seamlessly with my skin, and works wonders. It hides pimples effectively and starts working within hours, clearing them up in no time (usually within eight hours). Plus, it leaves no redness or scars behind! This product is a must-have for anyone dealing with breakouts. Highly recommended!" — Robeir Edward Sarofeem
Get it from Amazon for $6.97.
13. A set of "Golden Glow" under-eye gels made with a 24-karat gold collagen formula that'll ease the look of dark circles and bags under your eyes and make your skin look positively ~golden~.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Dermora is a small business that specializes in eye masks and foot peels.
Promising review:"I have to say I was a skeptic on these but bought them anyway on a whim after seeing them on The Today Show. Much to my surprise I found they really did what they said they do. The puffiness under my eyes was substantially reduced, and my skin felt much softer and moisturized. They're a great addition to your self-care." — janiem
Get 15 pairs from Amazon for $12.25 (available in four set styles).
14. Cosrx's Snail Mucin Repairing Essence reviewers love for the extra boost of hydration it gives their skin, helping clear up acne, inflammation, peeling, fine lines, and even eczema! Stop being ~sluggish~ about investing in your skincare routine and get this on your face. Fast.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "If you can get over the ick factor of snail mucin, it is deeply hydrating and helps with hyperpigmentation and acne. Calms inflammation and redness. If you're having flaky, dry skin from eczema or reactions to retinol, use this to help repair your skin barrier and keep your skin supple. It is a gentle occlusive and seals in moisture. Everyone's skin is different. What works for me may not work for you. But I swear by the essence to help my reactive skin, repair the skin barrier, and help with my eczema. I will use it forever." — Connie
Get it from Amazon for $19.20.
15. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream formulated with cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açai oil to give your skin a powerful dose of hydration. It'll also wake up and temporarily tighten your skin with the same stuff you use to become awake and alert for the day...caffeine! That's right, our skin enjoys the stuff as much as the rest of us. This smells like vanilla and caramel, which means it's basically a latte for your skin. Delicious.
You can read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "This stuff is magic. I've tried a lot of products, and this one works the best out of everything I've tried. I love the scent. Sol de Jeneiro makes a body spray of it, and I get lots of compliments every time I wear it." — Stephanie Hooper
16. Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream — whether you've noticed your neck skin practically hanging on for dear life thanks to that darn gravitational pull or find your décolletage creased in the center from side sleeping, the glycerin and aloe in this formula can give that delicate skin some much-needed hydration, while the salicylic acid can gently exfoliate dead skin cells. Reviewers say patience is worth it with this one, so give your body time to soak it all in and enjoy those results!
Promising review: "My dry neck and the annoying itchiness I used to experience have completely gone away after using this cream. It's not only soothing, but it also feels like it's really nourishing my skin. The firming benefits are a bonus! I highly recommend this product to anyone dealing with dryness or discomfort in their neck and chest area. It's become a must-have in my skincare routine." — JAcosta
Get it from Amazon for $10.49 (also available in a two-pack).
17. A retinol body lotion — sure, retinol is great for your face, but there's a whole *body* of skin it can help out! This particularly dreamy, creamy formula helps promote skin cell turnover using retinol, while the ferulic acid firms skin to promote natural skin tightening.
Promising review:"I could kick myself for not trying this sooner! It is my new favorite lotion... After one night of using this, I woke up to smooth, soft moisturized skin that wasn't itchy at all. This lotion goes on and absorbs beautifully. It's not too thin or thick, and the scent is sensational... It's not greasy or slick and does not have a residue that pills or transfers." — TickTokAlice
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in two-pack).
18. Cerave eye repair cream, which is cooked up with their famous blend of ceramides (a skincare "secret sauce" if you will) and a healthy dose of hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and niacinamide to help tighten and brighten the appearance of skin. If you're revitalizing your skincare routine, add this to the mix and reduce the appearance of dark circles, under-eye puffiness, *and* fine lines. ~Eye~ love to see it.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"What sorcery is this??? Listen I'm 48, and I've bought a lot of face cream 'stuff' over the years. Expensive stuff that did nothing. Finally started using Cerave thanks to my 19-year-old daughter and TikTok, lol. I decided to try the eye cream, and I noticed a difference the morning I started using it. The brightening is apparent. Love this stuff." — Michelle Petrosh
Get it from Amazon for $14.44.
19. A bottle of Bio-Oil, beloved by many a skin-having human, made with a powerful blend of moisturizing oils and vitamins that'll aid in fadin' scars you'd rather have bippity-boppity- boop off your body.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" I am a 70-year-old woman with all the skin issues those years bring: fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, uneven skin tone, and dry patches. This oil is lightweight, absorbs nicely, and has a fairly pleasant smell, although a bit flowery. The main thing is it works. I could tell a difference in my skin the first week of use. My skin is hydrated and glowing, and the overall tone has improved considerably. Believe me when I say I have used a lot of serums, oils, and moisturizers over the years. I wish I had found this oil years ago." — Connie J
Get it from Amazon for $11.12.
20. A hyaluronic acid serum — this can save your dry skin thanks to its *intense* hydrating properties that improve a dry complexion's softness, smoothness, and ability to retain moisture. I feel soothed just thinking about it.
www.instagram.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I've used several different kinds of serums for my face and this is my favorite so far. I use it right after my bath when my pores are open from the hot water and then apply my moisturizer right on top of it. My face normally gets very dry in the winter, but since I began using this serum it has been a lot better. It seemed like such a tiny bottle when I got it, but a little bit of this stuff goes a long way. I've been using it for several months now and still have half a bottle left." — Michelle
Get it from Amazon for $14.98 (available in different sizes/styles).
21. Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment to help you embrace color theory with confidence. Take it from someone with skin the color of printer paper — nothing helps reduce redness better than a touch of green! This lightly tinted cream is designed to combat that blotchy redness while protecting your skin from the sun with a useful daily SPF 50.
Check it out on TikTok here.
Promising review: " I have a really uneven skin tone, which is always accentuated in the morning. I don't like putting makeup on when I wake up, and after seeing this on TikTok (I know I'm not alone in that), I bought it to see if it works, and OMG, it's amazing. A little goes a long way, I put on sunscreen and dab this on my face and like magic, my skin looks even… even lessening [my] puffy under-eye! I never write reviews but I had to for this. It will forever be a part of my daily routine!" — Sara R.
Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in two sizes).
22. A Revlon volcanic stone face roller that'll absorb excess oil on your face as you swipe it away *without* ruining your makeup. Now that this exists, there's no better product to have in your bag when the summer sun brings back your extra oily skin. Oil blotting sheets WISH they were this sexy. Keep your makeup looking great all day with this OG TikTok beauty sensation.
To clean, you'll just pop out the stone roller and give it a quick hand wash under the sink. Once it's dry, it's ready to use for the next day!
Promising review:"First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered, but then I got an email saying it was in stock, and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." — Kelsey B.
Get it from Amazon for $7.50.
23. Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil with the most impressive review photos I've seen in my little life! Reviewers swear up and down over how well this erases blackheads and sebaceous filaments. Use this as the first step of your cleansing routine, and then just rinse with water. Watch your blackheads disappear so quickly that they won't even have a chance to say goodbye. Aww, sad.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
As with all skincare products, if you're acne-prone YMMV, depending on the cause of your acne.
Promising review: "I can't live without this cleansing oil; It's magic in a bottle. this is the only thing that's been able to clear the sebaceous filaments on my nose after consistent use daily!! It also helps the milia/filaments under my eyes! LOVE IIIIT - WHO LET ME LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT DOUBLE CLEANSING AT NIGHT!!" — Sarah Coleman
Get it from Amazon for $17.69.
24. A set of collagen-infused forehead patches for folks looking to improve their skin's elasticity with a *chef's kiss* hydrating formula. The mix of aloe, collagen, and vitamin E is a true treat for sun-damaged, dry, and aging skin. Whether you throw these on before bed and let your skin soak up that silky goodness for a full eight hours or simply have an hour to spare in the a.m. — these are designed for great results on your schedule.
Promising review:"These patches work great, I could see the difference just after a few uses. They stick really well and stay on all night. They feel cool and soothing, and I love how easy they are to use. Highly recommend!" — M. Brinson
Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $18.04 (available in three styles).
25. A vegan ingrown hair oil sure to save the day (and your bikini line) if shaving on sensitive parts of your body leads to inflammation and breakouts that are more bothersome than the hair was. Not only does it address that inflammation, but the spiffy mix of jojoba and grapeseed oil moisturizes and softens your skin to keep it nourished. Swimsuit season, here we come!
26. A 10% niacinamide serum for folks who fill their medicine cabinet with the very best K-beauty has to offer. This includes 4% tranexamic acid and 2% arbutin for super smooth skin. With consistent use, you'll notice your skin looking smooth and dewey. And if you, like me, prefer fragrance-free — this non-sticky and non-scented formula is for you!
www.amazon.com
BTW, it's also cruelty-free!
Promising review: "Honestly just tried this due to high demand and to find a cheaper niacinamide serum. I have been using Glow Recipe Niacinamide Dew Drops, but they haven't worked as effectively as this. I was incredibly surprised by how this serum calms my skin, and my dark spots have been lightening and are almost gone. I also haven't broken out. I use this twice a day, and it works well under makeup. It'll give you glowy skin if you're one of those who loves a dewy look. I am currently using this together with Anua cleansing foam and it's incredible! Definitely subscribing to this as my regular serum!" — 아미
Get it from Amazon for $22.
27. Butt Acne Treatment Cream — this is gonna be a great addition to the (rear) end of your beauty routine. It's designed for all skin types with a clean tea tree oil to help prevent breakouts, get rid of bacteria, and clear up folliculitis.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Read more about tea tree oil and acne at Mayo Clinic
Promising review:"I've used this product for about two months now. I try to remember to apply at least twice a day. Not only is my skin clearer, but the overall texture is much smoother and softer. I highly recommend giving this lotion a try." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (also available in a two-pack).
28. Bio-Collagen's Real Deep sheet mask so you can treat yourself to a rejuvenating facial while you sleep. The mix of hydrating hyaluronic acid, pore-minimizing collagen, and probiotics work together while you're resting to protect and heal your skin from the inside out. And don't worry about your pillowcase. This product is a professional. It's transfer-resistant — no mess included.
See it in action on TikTok.
Most reviewers recommend doing this treatment once per week. And BTW, it becomes translucent when your skin has finished absorbing the product, which makes it easy to know when it can come off!
Promising review: "Caught wind of this on TikTok and decided to give it a whirl. Honestly, it's pretty solid! It really makes my skin look tight and shiny, like I just came out of a professional facial. It's an overnight mask, so yeah, it does have to stay on for a while, which is a bit of a hassle, but the payoff? Totally worth it. My skin feels more elastic, and the pores look minimized, too. If you don't mind the long wear time, this mask could be a game changer for your skincare routine!" — Nala
Get a set of four from Amazon for $19 (available in two pack sizes and three formulas).
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Staying hydrated is important at any time, but especially so in the air. According to the Cleveland Clinic, at high altitudes, the air is almost completely without moisture — and can cause your throat, nose and skin to feel dry. "Keeping hydrated is such a key thing, because you don't realize how dehydrated you get being 25,000 feet up in the air," says Huynh. She recommends bringing an empty reusable water bottle with you — that way, you don't have to rely on beverage service (or buying a marked-up bottle of Evian at the airport). "I always bring my own water bottle, and I refill it at the airport," she says. Huynh also says that staying hydrated helps you avoid travel-related breakouts. "Your skin really does get dry in the air," she says. "Personally, I get more oily when I get dry, but when I drink a lot of water, it helps to hydrate my skin, and I don't have as many skin problems," she says. She also says it can help ease jet lag symptoms. "If you just stay hydrated throughout the flight, it kind of keeps you level," she explains. "It helps you to adjust easier when you land." When she travels as a passenger, Huynh says she makes sure to wipe down all the surfaces at her seat. "I get into my seat, I put away all my stuff in the overhead bin and under the seat, and then I grab my wipes, and I wipe down the tray table," she says. "If there's a TV screen, I wipe that down too, and then I wipe down the armrests and the seatbelts," she says. "I find those are the most-frequently touched places, and people touch those without realizing what else they've touched," she says, noting that many people may not wipe down their trays after using them. "It's not a thing that people think about. Even with the seat belt, people get up, sit down, move around, and don't think about that either. It's hard to sanitize the actual seat belt, so I'll just do the buckle, because that's the biggest point of touch." She recommends carrying a travel-size package of disinfectant wipes for wiping down any high-touch areas, plus hand sanitizer for your hands. "Having your own hand sanitizer on the plane and your own disinfectant wipes are really great, just because you can't always get up to go to the washroom [to wash your hands]," says Huynh. Having a travel health kit with you containing some basic medications — like anti-motion sickness medication, cold and flu medications and pain medications — is always a good idea. Huynh also recommends travelling with a pocket pharmacy, like this one from Saje Natural Wellness. "It has mint for migraines and headaches, and then it has a few other scents, and I really like using those when I'm starting to get sick or have a headache or a cough or something like that," she explains. She also uses oil of oregano. "If I felt like I was about to get sick, or was sick, I would take a squeeze of the bottle," she says. "And I don't know if it's a placebo effect, but I would feel much better." She also likes ginger Gravol for combatting nausea — and says it "really helped" when she was feeling nauseous. Where you sit on the plane can also be important. Some studies suggest that window seats might expose passengers to fewer infectious particles, as passengers in the window seats have less contact with others than those seated in middle or aisle seats. Huynh says she also prefers to take a window seat. "I stick to myself; I try to get a window seat so that I can stay away from other people," she says. I personally don't love aisle seats, just because I feel like I get bumped by people walking through the cabin ... and that's also extra germs that I don't want." Choosing your seat strategically can also be helpful for minimizing motion sickness. "For motion sickness, I would say, stick towards the front of the plane, if you can," says Huynh. "I find the back usually feels a bit more turbulence than the front of the plane, so anywhere from the front to middle is usually really good." Staying warm on a flight isn't just for comfort — being cold can also impact how your body fights off infections. A study by researchers at the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University in England found that having cold feet may actually lower your immune response. So it may be a good idea to skip the sandals, even if you're travelling somewhere hot. "I'm someone who gets cold easily, so I always have a sweater," says Huynh. "Sometimes I have a pack of socks in my purse." "Bringing your own sweater, a scarf or a light blanket that fits in your purse or backpack is never a bad idea," she says. She adds that it is also possible for the flight crew to adjust the in-cabin temperature. "They can adjust it for the front half [of the plane], the back half," she says. "And then, if it's a really big aircraft, certain areas are possible too." Even though masks aren't required when flying anymore, they can still be a good idea to prevent the spread of illness. According to the CDC, when worn by a person with an infection, masks can reduce the spread of the virus to others, and can protect wearers from breathing in infectious particles from people around them. "I personally never wore a mask before COVID," says Huynh. "I found that a lot of travellers in Eastern regions would wear a mask if they were sick, which I thought was such a polite thing to do. I've had people before COVID ask me on board for masks, because either they're sick or they're near someone that's sick." Now, she says she'll mask up in certain situations. "I would wear a mask if I was sick or want to prevent myself from being sick," she says. She notes that you can also use the overhead air vent at your seat to get some added airflow. Sitting on an airplane for hours can lead to stiffness, soreness and swelling in your legs and feet, and in some cases, can put you at risk of developing blood clot-related illnesses, such as deep vein thrombosis. Research shows that moving during long flights can help to reduce your risk. "I would say as a general rule of thumb, you want to get up and move at least once every two hours," says Huynh. "It's not always possible, but I've seen people do squats in the galley and lunges, and do what they have to do." "Standing up at your seat and taking a stretch once every two hours, that works too," she says. According to the U.S. National Blood Clot Alliance, even seated exercises such as ankle circles, knee lifts and overhead stretches can be beneficial. "Even just stretching your arms goes a long way too, instead of just sitting cramped in and not moving the whole flight," says Huynh.
Gizmodo
8 hours ago
- Gizmodo
Study Links TikTok Skincare Routines to Lifelong Skin Allergies and Other Risks
A search for the hashtag 'skincare' on TikTok turns up more than 35 million videos, but most follow the same formula. 'Get ready with me,' a beauty influencer coos before walking viewers through their routine, which often involves several steps and a slew of products. These videos are wildly popular, but new research suggests they may do more harm than good. In the first study of the risks and benefits of social media skincare routines—published today in the journal Pediatrics—Northwestern University researchers analyzed the regimens of TikTok creators aged seven to 18. The findings revealed that these girls use an average of six different products on their faces, and some use more than a dozen. The typical routine costs roughly $168 per month and includes 11 different active ingredients, which are chemicals designed to address a specific skin concern such as acne or aging. The creators of these videos are chasing flawless skin, and they want to help you find it too. But the reality is that layering this many active ingredients at once increases the risk of developing skin irritation, Sun sensitivity, and a skin allergy known as contact dermatitis, according to the researchers. Previous studies have shown that developing this allergy can limit the kinds of soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics you can use for the rest of your life. 'That high risk of irritation came from both using multiple active ingredients at the same time, such as hydroxy acids, as well as applying the same active ingredient unknowingly over and over again when that active ingredient was found in three, four, five different products,' said lead author Molly Hales, a postdoctoral research fellow and dermatologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, according to a university statement. For this study, Hales and a colleague each created a new TikTok account and reported themselves to be 13 years old. They gathered a sample of 100 unique skincare videos, then documented the demographics of the creators; the number and types of products used; and the total cost of each regimen. All but one of the 82 creators were girls with clear, light, blemish-free skin, according to the study. The researchers then created a list of each product's active and inactive ingredients and identified which were most likely to cause contact dermatitis. The 100 videos featured 260 distinct products. Among the 25 top-viewed videos, 76% contained at least one potential contact allergen—typically fragrance. But the most common ingredients were chemical exfoliants called alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). The top videos contained three AHAs per regimen on average, with some featuring up to seven of these exfoliants. The most popular active ingredient, citric acid, was found in 29% of all products. AHAs can cause skin irritation and increase Sun sensitivity, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Because of this, it's important to use these ingredients in moderation and follow them with SPF to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Despite this, only 26% of videos about daytime skincare routines included sunscreen. 'The overall low rate of sunscreen use in the videos represents a significant missed opportunity, particularly for the youngest creators and users who do not yet need acne treatments, antiaging ingredients, or even topical emollients but would benefit from diligent sun protection,' the authors state. In one video, a 10-year-old with red hair and fair, freckled skin—which are markers of melanoma risk—applied eight different products, none of which contained SPF. Gizmodo reached out to TikTok for comment, but the company did not respond by the time of publication. A TikTok spokesperson told The Guardian, 'this type of content is common across all media, and the authors admit they did not assess its impact on teen wellbeing. However, they did find actual benefits to teen self-expression, parent-teen bonding, and building a supportive community on TikTok.' Still, the researchers concluded that these videos 'offer little to no benefit for the pediatric populations they are targeting.' The regimens are overly complicated, time consuming, expensive, and increase children's exposure to irritation, allergy, and sun damage, they say. What's more, the proliferation of skincare content has increased the stigma around acne, eczema, aging, and other skin conditions, Tess McPherson of the British Association of Dermatologists—who was not involved in the study—told The Guardian. 'Younger and younger children are seeking skincare products when they don't need them, they're not helpful,' she said. 'This is a very concerning statement on society and how we view how skin should look.'
