From red light therapy to beef tallow, spicules, slugging, and more—I rate social media’s favorite skincare trends with honest takes and real research.

If you've spent even five minutes on skincare TikTok or Instagram lately, you know the trends are coming at us fast. One day it’s all about skin flooding, the next it's slugging, and before you've even figured out what either of those words mean, someone’s telling you to sculpt your jawline with a spoon.

While it’s exciting to see more people take an interest in skincare, it can also feel overwhelming trying to separate what’s worth trying from what’s just Internet hype. As someone who’s both deeply skincare-curious and a skinimalist at heart, I’ve tested a lot of these trends. Not because I believe every one of them is the holy grail, but because I like to see what the fuss is about.

So here’s my honest, sometimes controversial, but mostly fair (I think) breakdown of 10 skincare trends that have been all over my feed recently. What they are, who they might actually help, and how many points I’m personally handing out.

Let’s get into it!

1. Skin Flooding

What it is:
Skin flooding involves layering lightweight, hydrating products—usually a bunch of watery toners, face mists, or essences—one over the other to achieve that dewy, glazed donut look. It’s all about maximizing hydration and plumpness in your skin.

My take:
This can help if your skin is extremely dehydrated or damaged, especially if you’ve overdone the actives and/or exfoliants, or sit in an air-conditioned room all day. But for those of us with normal skin, who’re already using a good humectant + occlusive combo, this is... kinda overkill. It even has the potential to overwhelm oily or acne-prone skin if not done with the right products.

Worth it?
Not for normal skin, but ok for dehydrated, damaged skin. And even then, I’d recommend using just one good, hydrating product and applying multiple layers of it, rather than layering multiple products one over the other and risking a bad reaction between them.

Rating: 6/10

2. Beef Tallow

What it is:
Beef tallow is rendered animal fat (blegh) that’s being hyped as a “natural” moisturizer. It’s rich in fatty acids that resemble our skin’s own lipids, and it’s traditionally used in old-school remedies for dry, cracked skin.

My take:
Look, I’m all for barrier support, but slathering meat butter on your face? That’s where I draw the line. I tried beef tallow out of curiosity (for research purposes!), and all I got for my effort were clogged pores. I’m sure there are some people who’ve seen results from stripping back their routine to one simple product like this, but I just don’t see the need to resort to kitchen skincare when there are so many well-formulated options out there.

Worth it?
Not unless you live on a homestead and have no access to real skincare. Most people are better off using ceramide-rich moisturizers or barrier balms. Hard pass.

Rating: 1/10

3. Red Light Therapy

What it is:
Using low-level red or near-infrared light to target inflammation, boost collagen production, and improve overall skin tone and texture.

My take:
This is one of the few trends that is backed by science, but only if you’re using a high-quality device at the correct wavelength and doing it consistently. To be honest, in-clinic treatments tend to be stronger and more effective than most at-home gadgets, but some medical-grade home devices do show real results over time.

Worth it?
Yes—especially for anti-aging, acne, and calming inflammation. Just make sure you’re using a well-researched device or getting it done at a good aesthetician clinic.

Rating: 9/10

4. Spicules

What it is:
Spicules are microscopic needle-like structures, usually derived from marine sponges or synthetic sources. These tiny “needles” create microchannels in the skin to improve product penetration and stimulate cell turnover (hence the claims of “microneedling in a bottle”), after which, they supposedly dissolve into your skin.

My take:
They definitely feel effective (there’s a signature prickly, sandpapery sensation after application), and the VT Reedle Shot has been one of my favorite new Kbeauty products of the last few years. BUT there isn’t enough research to say for sure how safe or effective they are long term. Some people love them, some find them too irritating, and others, like popular YouTube derm, Dr. Dray, have raised some serious alarm bells about whether or not they’re really dissolving or just hanging around in our bodies.

Worth it?
In my opinion, these are very promising, but need more science before I can wholeheartedly recommend them.

Rating: 7/10

5. Microcurrent Devices

What it is:
Microcurrent devices use low-level electrical currents to stimulate the facial muscles and promote collagen production in the skin.

My take:
I’ve tested a few, and I’ll admit: there is a glow-up to be had, but ONLY when used consistently (keyword: consistently). After long term use, my skin did feel firmer and more awake, but it took a while to see results. Some devices are stronger than others (ahem, Medicube), and others like the ZIIP Halo pair microcurrent with nanocurrent for both immediate and long-term results.

Worth it?
Worth exploring if you have some spare cash, but don’t expect overnight miracles. Think maintenance, not magic.

Rating: 7.5/10

6. Slugging

What it is: Slugging involves slathering your face in a thick occlusive (like Vaseline petroleum jelly) as the final step in your nighttime routine to lock in moisture and prevent water loss while you sleep.

My take:
Again, this is one of those trends that’s not inherently bad, but it’s most definitely not for everyone. If you have dry, flaky, or compromised skin, slugging can help repair your barrier. But if you're acne-prone or live in a humid climate, it can be waaaay too heavy—and may even clog pores or cause breakouts. Even the thought of slugging is far too suffocating for my combination/oily skin.

Worth it?
OK for extremely dry skin types or barrier repair, but definitely not an everyday thing for most skin types, especially oily or combo skin.

Rating: 5/10

7. Gua Sha

What it is:
An ancient Chinese technique using a smooth stone tool to massage and sculpt the face, often promoted for lymphatic drainage, improved circulation, and facial contouring.

My take:
Hoo boy, this is going to ruffle some feathers. Let me start by saying, I absolutely believe in the benefits of face massages. They promote lymphatic drainage, and help reduce puffiness in the face, plus I appreciate the meditative calm and relaxation they offer. However, that exact same effect can be accomplished just by using your hands. In my opinion, the addition of the gua sha tool, especially in unskilled hands, is doing nothing more than your bare hands (or something like a spoon kept in the freezer) could.

Worth it?
Skip the gua sha, save your money, and just use the hands you were blessed with.

Rating: 3/10

8. Skin Cycling

What it is:
Skin cycling is basically like a skincare schedule for your nighttime routine, where you rotate your active ingredients—usually exfoliants and retinoids—with rest and recovery nights built in. A typical cycle would look something like this: exfoliate, retinoid, rest, repeat.

My take:
Structured, simple, and it sensible, especially if you’re a skincare beginner. This approach lets your skin breathe and recover, reducing irritation while still making space for the heavy lifters. It’s especially great if you’re new to strong actives and are unsure how often to use them, or how to pair them with other active ingredients.

Worth it?
Definitely, if you’re new to actives. Probably worth it, even if you’re more experienced, especially if you’re trying to simplify your routine while still being effective.

Rating: 8/10

9. Oil or Balm Cleansing

What it is:
Using oil-based cleansers to break down makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum as the first step in a double cleansing routine.

My take:
Oil cleansing isn’t even a trend at this point. It’s a full blown religion. And sure, it can be very beneficial for some, especially if you need to remove layers of sunscreen or long-wear makeup at the end of the day. BUT putting oil on your skin can be a tricky thing, and there are swaths of people out there who just can’t use an oil cleanser, no matter how non-comedogenic it claims to be (myself included). In fact, I posted about this on social media a while back and received an overwhelming number of comments from fellow acne sufferers who prefer using a micellar water as their first cleanse rather than an oil cleanser.

Verdict:
Yay for some, nay for others. You’ll just have to find out what works for your skin type.

Rating: 7/10

10. “Natural” Sunscreens

What it is:
These are homemade or small-batch sunscreens often touted for being “all-natural,” and usually whipped up in someone's kitchen using ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter.

My take:
I’ve clearly saved the worst for last here. This is not just a bad idea, it’s an actively dangerous one. There’s a reason that sunscreens on the shelves go through ultra rigorous testing standards (anyone remember the Purito snafu from a few years ago?). Sunscreen formulation isn’t something you can wing with pantry ingredients. SPF protection depends on how well the product is mixed, how it spreads, and how stable it is over time. DIY sunscreens haven’t been tested, so there’s no guarantee you're getting any meaningful protection.

Worth it?
Absolutely not. In fact, it could be making things worse, leading to more sun damage, pigmentation, and increased skin cancer risk. If you want a “clean” option, go with a tested, regulated sunscreen from a trusted brand.

Rating: Can I go into negative marking for this one?

Final Thoughts: Viral ≠ Valuable for Everyone

Skincare trends are a bit like fashion trends—fun to try, even better when you find one that actually works for you. But don’t feel pressured to jump on every bandwagon just because it’s getting views.

Sometimes the most boring, unsocial-media-worthy routines are the ones that quietly and consistently give you the best skin. So experiment if you’re curious—but always come back to what makes your skin feel its best. Even if that’s just a gentle cleanser, a trusty moisturizer, and sunscreen every day.

Rating 10 of Social Media’s Most Viral Skincare Trends

From red light therapy to beef tallow, spicules, slugging, and more—I rate social media’s favorite skincare trends with honest takes and real research.