If you’re into skincare, you’ve probably seen viral videos on TikTok or Instagram where content creators show off their “caveman skin.” If you haven’t seen the videos and you’re wondering “Ok, what on earth is caveman skin?” let us fill you on this trend—and tell you why dermatologists and estheticians agree it’s a big NO for your skin.
What is caveman skin?
Long story short, caveman skin is when you use zero skincare products on your face: no cleanser, no toner, no serum, no moisturizer, no sunscreen, no tools or devices. You don’t wash your face, you don’t even splash it off with water. Literally nothing touches your face. Like…a caveman, we guess? If you’re thinking “Um, doesn’t that mean a LOT of gunk is going to build up on my skin?’ you are 100% correct.
If you check out content creator Tia Zakher’s videos, you’ll notice she has a thick layer of flaky build-up on her skin—and it’s gotten her a lot of attention. One of the original promotors of the caveman skin trend, Tia said in a TikTok video with 113.5 likes: “After 8 years of picking and over-exfoliating, I'm healing my skin barrier by doing the one thing I never tried before... absolutely nothing.”
But here’s the thing. Doing nothing for your skin is just as bad as doing too much. What is all of that buildup? No one knows for sure, but online commenters (including some dermatologists) speculate it could be anything from a condition known as terra firma-forme (where dead skin cells accumulate in patches and begin to resemble dirty skin) to seborrheic dermatitis to a fungal infection like malassezia folliculitis.
What will happen if I try this “trend”?
Now, not everyone who tries the caveman skin trend will end up with a reaction as extreme as Zakher’s. If you’re very lucky, maybe you’ll only experience more breakouts and increased oiliness. But why risk it when a simple and streamlined skincare will give you the results you want without compromising your skin’s health?
“I cringed when I saw the caveman skin trend,” says master esthetician Kendal Galette. “If you try this, you’re not ‘re-setting’ your skin at all. You’re actually disrupting your skin’s microbiome and creating a breeding ground for bacteria, acne and skin infections.”
What should I do instead?
Simple! Stick to a dermatologist and esthetician recommended skincare regimen that includes gentle cleansing, regular exfoliation, balanced hydration, daily SPF, and targeted treatments as needed.
Gentle exfoliation is especially key to achieving your healthiest skin—and keep in mind that we said gentle! We’re pointing that out because some people who are trying the caveman skin trend blame over-exfoliating for causing their skin problems in the first place. And while it’s true that extreme over-exfoliation can damage your skin barrier, exfoliating the correct way will only help your skin—in the short term and in the long term.
Gentle exfoliation removes the oldest layer of dead skin cells, which immediately gives your skin a more radiant appearance and also helps your skincare absorb better. It also helps support collagen production (read more in our collagen banking post), which promotes firmer, smoother and more youthful-looking skin.
LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning is a gentle form of exfoliation that only needs to be done once a week and it’s safe for all skin types, including sensitive. It gently removes dead skin cells, and as a bonus, also gently shaves off peach fuzz (don’t worry, it WON’T grow back thicker). If you get into the habit of using LUXE+ just once a week, you’ll see fewer fine lines and wrinkles, smoother skin texture, as well as more even-looking skin with reduced dark spots.
So, the bottom line? Leave caveman skin in the past and trust your skin to scientifically advanced devices and formulations that will give you the healthy, glowing skin you want.