Inside controversial ‘caveman' skincare routine which costs nothing but risks painful side effects

The Sun

13-05-2025

WHEN it comes to looking your best, having a good skincare routine is key.
Many beauty experts say that looking after your face is the number one step when it comes to getting your make-up right.
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But the controversial new 'caveman' skincare routine is dividing opinion online with some hailing it as a godsend and others suffering painful infections.
In the age of complicated 10-step routines, this method aims to introduce a more relaxed approach while naturally repairing the skin barrier.
Simply put, the viral regime involves doing absolutely nothing to your skin.
The idea behind the trend is that your skin will naturally reset itself and become healthier.
The extreme practice discourages participants from using any skincare products, wearing makeup, using SPF or even washing their face while taking part in the trend.
TikTok users are taking part in the routine for between seven and 30 days, but the trend has produced some mixed results.
Social media experts at Media Mister weighed in on the trend to weigh up the pros and cons.
The team said: "Sometimes, over-using skincare products can cause more harm than good to your skin, particularly when it comes to harsh exfoliating acids, serums, and cleansers.
"In some cases, cutting out any strong cleansers or exfoliating acids in your routine may prevent the build-up of any dead skin, helping to keep your skin from drying out unnecessarily.
"It is possible that in the TikTok age of skincare 'hacks' and beauty influencers that we are now doing too much to our skin, which makes it more prone to irritation and breakouts. This is what the caveman method aims to prevent."
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The experts say that taking a brief break from your skincare routine can be worthwhile if you've been suffering from skin sensitivity. If you regularly struggle with rashes, eczema, and breakouts, then cutting out your skincare products can help you identify the specific source that your skin is reacting to.
It's believed that participating in the trend will allow your skin barrier to naturally repair itself following over-exposure to chemical treatments.
The trend also encourages participants to stop worrying and overworking their skin.
Stress can often exacerbate the risk of breakouts and other skin concerns, which is why the caveman method aims to implement a more relaxed approach to skincare.
However, it's recommended that the caveman method is only used for a short period of time to avoid causing more harm than good to your skin. If you are considering using the caveman method, then a maximum length of seven to ten days would be ideal.
The Media Mister gurus say: "Experts rarely recommend cutting out all forms of skincare entirely, particularly when it comes to washing your face with water and applying SPF.
"If you are following the trend, then ensure that you're still wearing SPF to avoid causing any serious damage to your skin during the warmer weather.
"It's also recommended to continue washing your face with water throughout the trend to prevent the buildup of bacteria and clogged pores, which can make you more prone to breakouts."
However, some TikTok influencers have taken the trend to the extreme, which highlights the many dangers associated with the viral caveman method.
The experts said: "One particular content creator, Tia Zakher, is going viral on the app after viewers noticed that the influencer may have contracted a fungal infection after taking part in the caveman trend.
"Zakher, who has not washed her face with water or used any skincare products for over six weeks, explained that she is participating in the caveman method after her skin's 'shedding cycle was disrupted from years of over-picking and removing texture manually.'
"The influencer explained that what viewers have identified as a fungal infection is actually just layers of dead skin being naturally removed as the skin barrier works to repair itself."
Some have called Zakher's viral videos a hoax but dermatologists have called out Zakher's promotion of the trend, with Dr Jean Chappell explaining in a TikTok that, 'It is a myth to think that your skin will thrive in a state of neglect'.
John Rampton, the Chief Operating Officer at Media Mister, added: "The idea of a skincare reset may be appealing to some during the age of complicated skincare routines.
"However, it's important to note that cutting out all forms of skincare, particularly washing your face with water, puts your skin's health at risk.
"It's incredibly concerning to see how many influencers are promoting the 'caveman' method, especially since the trend consists of not even applying SPF, which is incredibly harmful for your skin. This is why it's so important to do your own research before following a trend just because it's trending on TikTok."