Ditch the soap, save your skin? The caveman skincare trend everyone's talking about

Time of India

05-05-2025

Imagine not
washing your face
for days. No, for weeks.
Seems unlikely and uncomfortable?
Now stretch that 'no-wash' routine to a month or so.
And you have a brand new
skincare routine
in your arsenal!
by Taboola
by Taboola
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It's the caveman skincare method; the one skincare hack that's going viral on TikTok!
What is it? What are the benefits of this method, if there are any at all?
Read on to know more about this 'bizarre' skincare routine.
What is the caveman skincare method?
A TikToker named
Tia Zakher
has gone viral for committing to what is dubbed the "caveman" skincare routine, which consists of zero maintenance to the skin, including not washing the face. As per Zakher, she has stopped washing her face more than a month ago. No cleansers, exfoliants, or serums − not even water.
The 22-year-old TikTok influencer, who lives in Montreal, Canada, has gone viral for her skincare routine (rather, the lack of it), dubbed the "Caveman Method."
Zakher claims that she hasn't used any face wash to cleanse, in the hopes of restoring her skin's natural state since March. As she stated in her video with millions of views on the social media platform, 'after 8 years of picking & over-exfoliating, I'm healing my skin barrier by doing the one thing I never tried before... absolutely nothing."
She began incorporating the skincare method into her life when she decided to kick the habit of picking at her skin, which she had done "almost every day for years." What she calls "manual exfoliation" became so uncontrollable that it started to cause severe acne and scarring.
In TikTok videos that have millions of views, Zakher shows how dead skin cells started to pile up after weeks of not washing, resulting in a textured layer across her entire face.
Zakher told PEOPLE, "I was trying so many different things and doing so many different things. I was never consistent because I was just in this vicious cycle, and I didn't know how to get out of it."
She told USA TODAY, "I've been obsessing and hyper-fixating on it (my face) for so much and trying all these products." Her question, "Why not just drop everything and push it to the side and see what my skin is able to do naturally and kind of reset that cycle naturally?"
Is it an actual skincare routine?
The theory behind the method is that many skin-care products can strip the skin of its natural oils, disrupt its pH balance, and alter its natural microbiome. Forgoing all that, the caveman theory goes, restores your skin to its 'natural' healthy state.
But the caveman regimen is not recommended and can potentially be unhygienic or harmful. Admittedly, there are overcomplicated skincare routines, but whilst some may not need skincare because they already have no skincare concerns, not washing your face completely will cause more harm than good.
However, Zakher has shut down speculation that she's been growing a fungal infection and confirmed that all she's experienced is dryness.
In a video posted in April, she disclosed that her skin was going through retention hyperkeratosis, which the Cleveland Clinic states is a condition that occurs when "skin cells that don't shed properly from your skin's surface, [cause] acne."
Should you follow the caveman skincare regime?
Caveman skincare regime primarily relies on one thing – not washing your face, with any kind of cleanser, exfoliants, or even water.
Now, washing your face regularly is important for maintaining healthy skin by removing dirt, oil, and impurities that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. It also helps remove dead skin cells, allowing for a fresh and brighter complexion. Additionally, regular cleansing prepares the skin to absorb other skincare products more effectively.
Not washing your face for several days can lead to a buildup of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, potentially causing clogged pores, breakouts, and an overall dull appearance. This can also exacerbate conditions like acne and seborrheic dermatitis.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Pore clogging:
Dirt, oil, and dead skin cells accumulate on the skin's surface, especially if you wear makeup or use skincare products. This buildup can clog pores, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of acne.
Skin irritation and inflammation:
The accumulation of debris and bacteria can irritate the skin, causing redness, inflammation, and potentially even skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.
Acne flare-ups:
If you're prone to acne, skipping cleansing can trigger or worsen existing breakouts.
Dull skin:
A lack of cleansing can prevent the skin from shedding dead cells and rejuvenating itself, resulting in a dull and lackluster complexion.
Increased risk of infections:
While less common, a buildup of bacteria on the skin can increase the risk of certain types of infections, especially if you have cuts or open wounds.
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