Dermatologist rates viral social media trends for skincare; Ice face dipping got a 5 out of 10

For those who love clean, glowing skin, falling into the trap of skincare trends on social media is easy. Many influencers actively promote what they fancy online, creating a buzz that is hard to ignore. While some of the skincare trends do make sense, others sound simply bizarre.

If you’re not someone who’s big on experimenting, here’s advice from none other than dermatologist Dr Gurveen Waraich, who took to her Instagram to rate skincare trends. Some of them include popular ones like ice face dipping and rosemary oil for hair.

• Ice face dipping: 5/10

This one’s a celebrity favourite, followed by the likes of Alia Bhatt, Sara Ali Khan, and Malaika Arora, among others. Dr Waraich rated it 5 out of 10, adding that while it temporarily reduces puffiness, prominence of pores, and to some extent, redness, it has no real long-term benefits.

Also read | Skincare tips: Why both morning and evening routine matters to keep skin glowing, healthy

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A post shared by Dr Garekar l Dermatologist (@garekarsmddermatologyclinic)

• Slugging: 7/10

Slugging is often the last step of your evening skincare routine and involves applying a thin layer of a product like Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on the face to lock in moisture. According to Dr Waraich, it can work really well for dry, dehydrated, or irritated skin but could be a disaster for oily, acne-prone skin. This was rated 7 out of 10.

• Rosemary oil for hair: 4/10

Applying rosemary oil on the scalp is considered good for hair health by many, but the dermatologist clarified, “No harm, of course. Nothing solid — small evidence for hair growth and scalp health — but quantity, quality, and consistency matter a lot.” She gave this a 4 out of 10.

Also read | Skincare tips: Home remedies to keep skin healthy and glowing in changing weather

• Skin cycling: 10/10

Dr Waraich explained that skin cycling involves alternating your skincare actives, like retinoids one night and AHAs or BHAs every other night. She added, “It is a great way to enhance results without compromising the skin barrier.” This one got a 10 out of 10.

• Face taping: 0/10

The dermatologist completely dismissed this one, saying, “Literally no comments.” Face taping is basically applying adhesive strips to the face to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, typically on the forehead or around the mouth and eyes.

• Rice water on skin: 6/10

Another popular skincare trend that Dr Waraich rated 6 out of 10. “Quite popular in Korean and Japanese skincare but no real scientific evidence. It definitely calms and soothes the skin,” she said.

Disclaimer: This article only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific diagnosis.