Study Finds Nearly 95% of 'Glass Skin' TikTok Videos Contain Misleading Information

A recent study analyzing popular 'glass skin' and Korean skincare videos on TikTok has revealed that nearly 95% of the content contains at least one potentially misleading claim, according to research published by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

The study, which examined 38 videos created by influencers, beauty brands, and content creators, found a significant lack of essential safety information. Lead author Dr. Maria Lúcia Paysano noted that "what surprised us most was how consistently basic safety information was absent." Specifically, only one video mentioned irritation risk, two addressed sun protection, none mentioned contact dermatitis risk, and none recommended consulting a dermatologist.

Furthermore, 84% of the analyzed videos failed to account for different skin types, and 45% promoted excessive combinations of active ingredients without adequate safety guidance. The findings suggest that blindly following these routines could lead to issues such as irritation, over-exfoliation, acne flares, or disruption of the skin barrier.

A TikTok spokesperson contested the study's methodology, stating that drawing conclusions from just 38 videos on a platform with over 100 million daily posts is flawed. The company maintains that it proactively removes harmful health misinformation and partners with fact-checkers and medical experts to provide reliable content.

In a separate but related study, researchers assessed 94 patients who experienced new or aggravated skin conditions after following social media skincare advice. Chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) were the most frequently implicated products, followed by over-the-counter retinoids, vitamin C serums, and niacinamide-containing products. Many patients were using complex routines with multiple active ingredients simultaneously, often based on advice from non-medical influencers.

Irritant contact dermatitis was the most common reaction observed (42%), followed by acne (28%), rosacea or rosacea-like dermatitis (12%), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (11%), and superficial chemical burns (7%). Dr. Ouissal Hormi, lead author of the second study, warned that "combining several active ingredients can place excessive stress on the skin barrier since some have overlapping irritant effects."

Researchers emphasized that the issue lies not with Korean skincare itself, but with the one-size-fits-all routines promoted online. They advise consumers to be wary of content promising instant or universal results and to seek professional advice from a dermatologist if they have existing skin conditions, experience irritation, or are unsure about a skincare routine.