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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why TikTok's Viral ‘Caveman Method' Doesn't Work, Explained by Dermatologists
All products featured on Teen Vogue are independently selected by Teen Vogue editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Liz Coulbourn Overconsumption and multiple-step routines have long dominated skin care conversations, but we've done a 180. This weekend, TikTok creator Tia Zakher went viral discussing her controversial 'Caveman Method," which allegedly is helping in restoring her skin barrier. On the social app, Zakher announced she had given up everything from her beauty routine — even water. The internet was immediately set ablaze, with some questioning whether this method was beneficial and many inquiring about potential long-term skin issues, such as infections and bacterial growth. Zakher has created numerous videos explaining her decision, stating that she wanted to 'reset her skin barrier.' Some viewers believe she is rage baiting, pretending to not wash her face, while others think she is actually participating in the cold-turkey method — it's raised a lot of questions and concerns. After she made her viral posts about the 'caveman regimen' — avoiding all skin care products and not washing her face — in April, the TikTok influencer who sparked the movement broke her streak in late May. In a video that quickly gained traction, she revealed she was washing her face for first time in a month, using CeraVe's gentle cleanser. Reactions were mixed: while some praised her for listening to her skin and ending the experiment, other commenters remained skeptical about the authenticity of the change, speculating whether the sponsorship played a role. Still, fans acknowledged the end of a saga that had sparked widespread debate over skin care minimalism versus modern dermatology. While the 'caveman' era may be over, the controversy it stirred and the questions it raised about the skin care industry are likely to stick around. Zakher's posts have led to a deep dive into the 'Caveman Method,' and a slew of people are wondering if there's some truth to the myth. To answer all your pressing questions, we chatted with three board-certified dermatologists — Dr. Mona Gohara, MD, Dr. Angela J. Lamb, MD, and Dr. Asmi Berry, DO, FAAD — to find out if there's a world where stopping all forms of skin care, water included, would actually help 'heal your skin barrier.' Check out what they had to say below. Dr. Angela J. Lamb: It could temporarily help some people whose skin is extremely irritated from overuse of products, as it reduces the chances of chemical irritation and gives the skin a 'break.' However, for the person who is still wearing makeup and working out (which introduces sweat, dirt, bacteria), not cleansing the skin can actually clog pores, worsen acne, and lead to infection, so in these cases it is unlikely to genuinely help the skin barrier long-term. Dr. Asmi Berry: The 'Caveman Method' isn't backed by science. If you want to reset or strengthen your skin barrier, a better method is to simplify your routine, not abandon it. Stick to a gentle cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer, and a mineral sunscreen. This approach gives your skin the support it needs without overwhelming it. AJL: Basic necessities include a gentle cleanser that is non-stripping, a hydrating moisturizer, and a non-comedogenic sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, every morning. One optional add-on treatment includes a serum to address acne, dryness, or pigmentation concerns. You can skip toners, mists, eye creams, use of multiple serums, or heavy-duty exfoliators, unless specifically needed or advised by your regular dermatologist. AJL: Yes, you can heal your skin barrier by stopping harsh products, such as retinoids, strong acids, and alcohol-based toners. To heal your skin barrier, you also need to moisturize regularly with products that contain barrier-repair ingredients, such as ceramides and fatty acids. Lastly, you should use a gentle cleanser with warm water, avoiding over-washing and hot water. Healing can take 2–6 weeks, depending on how damaged the barrier is. AB: Without cleansing, dead skin cells, sweat, oils, dirt, and makeup can create an environment where yeast and bacteria thrive, leading to fungal acne or skin infections. Not washing off allergens or irritants can also trigger contact dermatitis, causing redness, itching, and rash. Dr. Mona Gohara: Water by itself is not bad for the skin. Much of our skin is naturally comprised of water. In fact, our skin barrier has a natural moisturizing factor that Mother Nature gave us — the NMF's job is to attract water and moisture. For the surface of your skin, mixing water with a gentle non-soap cleanser is best to cleanse the skin of impurities, and open the pores, allowing other products such as moisturizers to absorb more easily. AJL: Less is more. You don't need 15 products to have healthy skin, and you should focus on consistency over time rather than trends. Also, what your skin needs will change over time — what works at 16 may not work at 26. Whatever you do, don't skip sunscreen. UV damage is a major cause of aging and hyperpigmentation, even if you don't see it now. MG: For a gentle, non-soap cleanser, I recommend using Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid, Fragrance Free, as it's gentle on the skin and provides the hydration needed for skin care minimalists – great for daily use. For normal to oily skin, I recommend using Neutrogena's Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. I love this product because it acts as a multitasker, both moisturising and protecting from the sun, perfect for those looking to use as few products as possible. For dry skin, I prefer Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid because it has the moisturizing power of a cream, but absorbs quickly like a gel. But don't forget to use SPF – I recommend Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Mineral Face Liquid SPF 70 as it's suitable for sensitive skin as well. $15.00, Amazon $30.00, Ulta $23.00, Amazon $17.00, Amazon AJL: For a cleanser, I like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser for normal to oily skin. For a moisturizer and for SPF protection, Neutrogena Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is a wonderful daily sunscreen that can be layered with makeup or other skin care products. $18.00, Amazon $30.00, Ulta AB: 'Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, it's a gentle cleanser packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and gets rid of dirt without leaving your skin feeling tight or dry. La Roche Posay's Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer, a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer with ceramides and prebiotics to support the skin barrier. EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46, a mineral-based, lightweight sunscreen perfect for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Bioderma Sensibo H2O micellar water, a quick, gentle way to remove makeup without irritating your skin. $44.00, Amazon $18.00, Amazon $24.00, Amazon $20.00, Amazon This story has been updated to include Zakher's post about breaking her caveman method streak. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more style stories from Teen Vogue? Check these out: Where Did All The Tween Fashion Go? All the Beauty Products We Spotted at the 2024 Olympics 9 Sunscreens Teen Vogue Editors Swear By for Year-Round Protection From Rose Water to Eyeliner, An Ode to Middle Eastern & North African Beauty
India Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
The 'Caveman Skincare Routine' is trending, but is it a hygiene horror?
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
TikToker's ‘caveman' skincare routine has sceptics, but the 22-year-old says it is real
Tia Zakher is a 22-year-old woman known on TikTok for a skincare routine that involves doing nothing to her skin – not even washing it. PHOTO: TIAZAKHER/TIKTOK TikToker's 'caveman' skincare routine has sceptics, but the 22-year-old says it is real NEW YORK – Tia Zakher, a 22-year-old woman known on TikTok for a skincare routine that involves doing nothing to her skin – not even washing it – would like you to know she is fine. And that she has started using water to clean her face, she said in early May during a video call. That she had to specify both of those things underscores the unusual nature of social media, where soon after she posted videos about her routine, rumours began swirling that there was something seriously wrong with her skin, or that her skincare journey was fake. It also highlights, yet again, the tension that arises when healthcare and social media collide. On March 14, after years of trying different skincare approaches to heal her acne – from topicals and peels to microneedling and exfoliation – Zakher decided to stop doing anything whatsoever: stop touching her face, stop picking at any scabs or dead skin and stop washing it. She did not post about that decision to her followers, a group that has swelled to more than 140,000 in recent weeks. It was only in April, when her skin started showing visible changes – discolouration, a build-up of flaky skin and a scaly texture – that her followers asked what was going on. She responded with a video that now has more than 10 million views. In it , she said the changes in her appearance were just her skin's way of healing naturally. She called it the 'caveman' routine, though she clarified in the video call that she did not invent the term an d had seen it elsewhere when researching skincare routines. At first, 'people were just intrigued and I got so many more comments, so I responded again and then that video took off', she said. 'But it was never something where I wanted to sit down and share this with people. It's just, you know, how the internet works.' Then the questions – and the trolling – began. Some commenters were disgusted, others speculated that she had a fungal infection. Some theorised that she was faking the whole thing by using a clay mask just to garner attention. 'When you have somebody who's spreading a lot of information about health that is potentially dangerous, whether what she's doing is re al i s not the issue,' Dr Zachary Rubin, an allergist in Chicago who posted a video on TikTok in response to Zakher, said in a telephone interview. He noted that not cleaning your face could potentially lead to infections. 'It's that you might have somebody, who is vulnerable to skin issues, take that advice and end up having more problems.' 'My view on this is that she's trying to promote some type of lifestyle that involves medical advice that's highly inappropriate,' he added. 'You see this all the time with people saying 'drink raw milk' or 'don't take vaccines'.' Zakher said she had told other TikTok users to seek out a dermatologist's advice. She also turned to her own dermatologist, who commented on her TikTok videos saying that Zakher did not have an infection or a condition to worry about. Her mother, Samah Kamel, jumped into the comments as well, adding that Zakher had been 'medically advised by a very good doctor'. Still, the internet became so invested in what was happening to Zakher's face that TikTok creators and commenters started to pick apart every video. When she posted one about participating in a half-marathon in rainy conditions, online sleuths pounced on tiny changes in her skin as clues that she had been lying. Some contended that her skin colour had changed in the rain, thus proving it was just clay. The level of questioning got to a point where Zakher said close friends and family reached out to her and her parents to check in on them. 'I know that my situation is very rare and unique, and many people struggle with understanding that – but I can take it, I have thick skin,' she said, with the pun fully intended. To Zakher, what is more concerning is the dermatologists who have tried to diagnose her from afar or jumped in with their opinions. 'That's a bit worrying to me,' she said. Brynne Clippard, one of the many social media users drawn into the mystery around Zakher's skin, did her own online sleuthing. She found a Reddit post by Zakher from a year ago in which her skin looked the same as it does today, which she thought added credence to this being a real condition. If she were lying, Clippard said in a telephone interview, 'I would give her props for playing the longest game ever'. Zakher confirmed in her video call that she had tried the same routine a year ago, and that it had led to the same reaction. But two weeks into that previous attempt, she could not resist the urge to exfoliate it all off, she said. 'I couldn't take the texture – it felt like something was wrong,' she said. 'I gave up too soon.' This time around, she has committed to a few months, or for as long as it takes for the build-up on her skin to fall off naturally. That, she claimed, would be a sign that her skin had healed itself. And, for the record, during the video interview, she touched her skin, rubbed it and then held her finger up to the camera. There was no clay visible. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Toronto Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Canadian influencer defends controversial ‘caveman skincare routine'
TikToker Tia Zakher shows off her face as she implements a caveman skincare routine. Photo by Tia Zakher / TikTok Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. A Canadian influencer has created controversy with what is being called her 'caveman skincare routine.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Tia Zakher, 22, posted a video on TikTok in which she declared that she is no longer using any sort of 'skin care' and has stopped 'using any water' to wash her face. The TikToker's followers expressed their concern and questioned Zakher about the state of her skin, which appears flaky and dry on her face. In her video, the Concordia University graduate said she has adopted a variation of the trending caveman skin method with the hope that her skin barrier will 'rebuild itself naturally. 'My skin is basically just shedding all the damage and attempting to re-regulate itself,' Zakher said to her more than 135,000 followers. In another post, she elaborated further, detailing how 'dead skin cells' are piling up on her face because her 'skin's shedding cycle was disrupted for a long time from years of overpicking and removing texture manually.' She added: 'All the dead cells that should have shed naturally over time have built up temporarily.' As for the 'thick, flaky look,' she called it a 'normal part of resetting my barrier.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Zakher said: 'It's called 'retention hyperkeratosis' when skin holds onto dead cells instead of shedding them immediately. 'It looks bad temporarily, but it's fixable and part of healing with patience and if I don't force it off.' However, many commented that her condition 'won't completely go away' and, if anything, needs to be treated by a professional. Others slammed the influencer, calling it a 'fungal infection' and 'poor hygiene' with some accusing her of faking it for attention. 'It's an Aztec clay mask with foundation on it,' one person wrote, while another agreed: 'You're fooling no one, just wash ur face.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO However, Zakher told the Daily Mail she is fine with people sharing their opinions. 'All I can say is I wish I was making it up because it's not easy going through this and being patient as someone who has a history with (skin) picking, too,' she told the outlet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She said she wanted to 'try something different' when she adopted the cold-turkey skincare routine, in which she stopped washing her face with water and using any products to tackle the issue. 'It was difficult when (the buildup) started becoming noticeable, but I also did notice my redness calm down a lot, so I felt like something was working,' Zakher said. Tia said she has since reintroduced water to her skincare routine and will being using a moisturizer soon. The influencer also acknowledged that she doesn't believe this approach is right for everyone and recommended that people 'consult a professional before trying something like this.' Read More Columnists Editorial Cartoons Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA World
The Star
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
What is the viral 'caveman' skincare trend and is it really safe to try out?
Tia Zakher, a 22-year-old woman known on TikTok for a skincare routine that involves doing nothing to her skin – not even washing it – would like you to know she is fine. And that, as of five days ago, she has started using water to clean her face, she said during a video call last week. That she had to specify both of those things underscores the unusual nature of social media, where soon after she posted videos about her routine, rumours began swirling that there was something seriously wrong with her skin, or that her skincare journey was fake. It also highlights, yet again, the tension that arises when healthcare and social media collide. On March 14, after years of trying different skincare approaches to heal her acne – from topicals and peels to microneedling and exfoliation – Zakher decided to stop doing anything whatsoever: stop touching her face, stop picking at any scabs or dead skin and also stop washing it. She did not post about that decision to her followers (a group that has swelled to more than 125,000 in recent weeks). It was only in April, when her skin started showing visible changes – discolouration, a buildup of flaky skin and a scaly texture – that her followers asked what was going on. Read more: Ask The Expert: Are you new to skincare? Here's to getting your basics right She responded with a video that now has more than 10 million views. In the video, she said the changes in her appearance were just her skin's way of healing naturally. She called it the 'caveman' routine, though she clarified in the video call that she did not invent the term and that she had seen it elsewhere when researching skincare routines. 'People were just intrigued and I got so many more comments, so I responded again and then that video took off,' she said, regarding the early reactions. 'But it was never something where I wanted to sit down and share this with people. It's just, you know, how the internet works.' Then the questions, and the trolling, began. Some commenters were disgusted, others speculated that she had a fungal infection. Some theorised that she was faking the whole thing by using a clay mask just to garner attention. 'When you have somebody who's spreading a lot of information about health that is potentially dangerous, whether what she's doing is real or not is not the issue,' Dr Zachary Rubin, an allergist in Chicago who posted a video on TikTok in response to Zakher, said in a phone interview. He noted that not cleaning your face could potentially lead to infections. 'It's that you might have somebody who is vulnerable to skin issues who might take that advice and end up having more problems.' 'My personal view on this is that she's trying to promote some type of lifestyle that involves medical advice that's highly inappropriate,' he added. 'You see this all the time with people saying 'drink raw milk' or 'don't take vaccines'.' Zakher said she had told other TikTok users to seek out a dermatologist's advice. She also turned to her own dermatologist, who commented on her TikTok videos saying that Zakher did not have an infection or a condition to worry about. Her mother, Samah Kamel, jumped into the comments as well, adding that Zakher had been 'medically advised by a very good doctor.' Still, the internet became so invested in what was happening to Zakher's face that TikTok creators and commenters started to pick apart every video. When she shared one about participating in a half marathon last week, in rainy conditions, online sleuths pounced on tiny changes in her skin as clues that she had been lying. Some contended that her skin colour had changed in the rain, thus proving it was just clay. The level of questioning got to a point where Zakher said close friends and family reached out to her and her parents to check in on them. 'I know that my situation is very rare and unique and a lot of people struggle with understanding that – but I can take it, I have thick skin,' she said, with the pun fully intended. To Zakher, what is more concerning is the dermatologists who have tried to diagnose her from afar or jumped in with their opinions. 'That's a bit worrying to me,' she said. Brynne Clippard, one of the many social media users drawn into the mystery around Zakher's skin, did her own online sleuthing. She found a Reddit post by Zakher from a year ago in which her skin looked the same as it does today, which she thought added credence to this being a real condition. Read more: How ingredients like bamboo, apple and chebula power a clean beauty revolution If she were lying, Clippard said in a phone interview, 'I would give her props for playing the longest game ever.' Zakher confirmed in her video call that a year ago she had tried the same routine, and that it had led to the same reaction. But two weeks into that previous attempt, she could not resist the urge to exfoliate it all off, she said. 'I couldn't take the texture – it felt like something was wrong,' she said. 'I gave up too soon.' This time around, she has committed to a few months, or for as long as it takes for the build up on her skin to fall off naturally. That, she claimed, would be a sign that her skin had healed itself. And, for the record, during the video interview, she touched her skin, rubbed it and then held her finger up to the camera. There was no clay visible. – ©2025 The New York Times Company This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
