The 'Caveman Skincare Routine' is trending, but is it a hygiene horror?

India Today

26-05-2025

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that there are a thousand and one ways to keep our skin young and healthy, be it the Korean glass skin routine or some good ol' desi remedy. Perhaps this is the reason why so many of us are still trying to find that right regimen.Let's be honest, we've tried varied combinations: expensive creams, toners, snail mucins, and whatnot to get rid of those stubborn breakouts, oily skin, dryness, you name it. And when nothing works, we're left with a hole in our pocket. Yep, frustrating. Dealing with a similar dilemma was a 22-year-old TikToker and she found a rather radical way to deal with her skin problems.advertisementIn the digital-first world, where we wake up to new trends and viral (read: bizarre) ideas every other day, here's one more skincare routine that has become the talk of the town (thanks to that 22-year-old). It involves doing nothing. No soap, no cream, no serum. Nothing. Nada!
The routine is to have no routine. Oh, and did we mention? No water either! This is what the internet now knows as the viral 'Caveman Skincare Regimen'.About the caveman skincare routineOn a regular day, people tend to splash water on their face and follow a standard cleansing routine with a little cleanser or facewash, especially after stepping outdoors. But this routine throws all that out the window: no exfoliation, no moisturisation, and no water. And that's why it's called the Caveman Routine - a throwback to how people might have lived, with zero access to even the most minimal.
Tia Zakher living her life with her caveman skincare (Instagram/Tia Zakher)
advertisementTia Zakher, a TikTok creator, rose to overnight fame owing to her compliance with the caveman skincare routine. Zakher started making videos about how she had been hyper-fixating on her skin, trying several products, but to no avail. She was in the habit of skin-picking, which led to inflammation, acne, and more. Hence, in an attempt to reset her skin barrier, she chose to do absolutely nothing."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," she told USA Today. Zakher first tried it for around two weeks and developed textured, flaky skin that she did not like and hence washed it away. In March, she decided to give it another shot, did her research but did not consult a dermatologist.Later, she revealed that she experienced a condition called 'hyperkeratosis', where her dead skin did not shed off completely, giving her that rough texture. However, she still claims that her skin is fine and she is not worried about bacterial infection.To cave in or not - Expert's adviceDitch water for days, weeks, or even months? But that means hygiene goes for a toss. Is your skin ready for it? To address the million-dollar question of hygiene and to understand the legitimacy of this routine, we reached out to experts, and most aren't comfortable with the idea.advertisement"From a dermatological and hygiene perspective, this approach is not advisable. Regular cleansing, at least with plain water or a mild cleanser, is critical to removing the daily buildup of sweat, environmental pollutants, and bacteria. Skipping even basic hygiene can lead to an increased risk of infections and inflammation,' Dr. Geetika Mittal Gupta, skin expert and cosmetologist, tells India Today."This regimen is not considered safe or suitable for Indian skin, which is generally more prone to pigmentation, acne, and environmental damage due to higher levels of melanin and greater exposure to UV radiation and pollution," she adds.She further highlighted that the absence of even a gentle cleanser or hydrating product can compromise skin resilience over time. According to Dr. Gupta, healing the skin barrier doesn't require abandoning hygiene altogether. Instead, dermatologists recommend gentle, skin-barrier-repairing routines that include:Non-stripping cleansersFragrance-free moisturisersSunscreensAdditionally, incorporating a nutrient-rich diet-like having a handful of almonds, which are high in vitamin E, other healthy fats, and antioxidants, can support skin health from within.advertisementWhile the internet spirals into a dilemma over whether to go all in with the trend or not for the sake of skincare, it does highlight the fact that one size doesn't fit all, not even when it comes to skincare. Just because it's viral doesn't mean it's the end game. It might work for some, might not for others. As we continue to hunt for the ultimate skincare hack, listening to our skin is key.