Scientist debunks: The worst skincare misinformation on TikTok

There's a ton of fearmongering misinformation on TikTok, particularly about skincare products. Let's break it down and talk about the actual science.

In this video:
0:00 CeraVe and propylparaben (Santa Cruz Medicinals)
7:54 Bobby, EWG, parabens, fragrance, artificial colours, talc (FlavCity)
17:26 Sunscreens (FlavCity)
20:58 Sunscreens but technical: lipophilicity, receptor affinity (Hormone Specialist)
29:05 General thoughts on TikTok misinformation, and what to do about it

🙋🏻 I'm Michelle, a chemistry PhD, cosmetic chemist and science educator, here to explain how beauty products work, debunk myths, and help you make smarter decisions about your skincare, hair and makeup!

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[Tascaraudo]

"women have more estrogen in their bodies because they use lotions" is a take i never thought I'd hear

[jenniferchck]

did that guy really say the reason women have more estrogen is because we moisturise 😂

[paigeconnelly]

The amount of people that will be like " i never use that because parabens are toxic and cause cancer!" but will then go out and drink so much alcohol in one go that they throw up aka literally poisoning themselves for fun, is astounding.

[meremeth]

It's really grim how Bobby is obviously targeting women's fear of harming their babies

[smytnib]

'they film in supermarkets because they don't actually own skin care so they can't film at home' and 'Is it Bobby? Or do you just not understand these words?' have sent me into orbit

[JamesWelsh]

Bobby is the literal worst. This video is the actual best 💜

[goosty]

These tiktokkers are always so annoying. Then when you question them, their little minions attack you with "google it!" as if I did not just read an actual research paper arguing against what they are saying

[skateata]

Removing fragrance from my skincare has made a difference but not everyone is sensitive to it so I don't judge people who use it.

[tdreamer]

I'm actually quite scared that preservatives used in clean beauty are not efficient, people might get sick with contaminated products, things expire quicker

[YarX]

I think Bobby may have just "cured" menopause! Forget HRT! Let's just keep rubbing all the paraben-rich lotions, potions and make-up on our bodies!

[ac]

Can confirm - we toxicologists are normal people. Thanks for reminding everyone ☺️.

PS - I love parabens!

[vitachrysanthemum]

my man bobby talking about blue colorant in a product while he wears denim jeans that were synthetically dyed blue

[RSilvergun]

I think Allison Turquoise made a short clip talking about the skin as a barrier. If the skin was so good at absorbing things, we'd be drowning in the shower

[puppykitten]

It's also worth mentioning how these sorts of videos are so awful for people with anxiety or OCD. When I was younger and more naive, it caused me so much anxiety trying to use "good" products and eating "good" food only, and these sorts of misinformational videos only feed into that anxiety. Thank you for debunking this!

[_KungFuBarbie_]

TikTok is really scary in how easily the site spreads misinformation. Regular people stumble across these videos, accept the things creators say, and keep scrolling.

[aleccino]

I will ALWAYS trust a mass market dermo-cosmetic skincare brand with tonnes of medical research and testing behind them over Susan's "natural" concoction of essential oils and vegetables that she blended together in her kitchen.

[megleland]

I was born in 1980. I have been here for EVERY little step that internet made, from quirky ICQ days to total global domination. The greatest disappointment in that for me has been seeing how having the full store of collective human knowledge at our finger tips made everyone SO MUCH dumber! And also cock-sure. Everyone is dumber and more sure they are right then ever. It is a really disappointing outcome.

[sylvia]

I dunno why, but the phrase 'oh god it's bobby' sounded as if someone found a tick on their dog 😂🤣

[JasminMiettunen]

Honey, if parabens actually functioned like estrogen there'd be so many women saving money on actual prescribed estrogen creams. Sadly to all women with hormone disorders or going through menopause, parabens don’t do that.

[colinf]

It's hilarious to me that these "experts" act like every single person working at every skin care/sunscreen company is in the background rubbing their hands together engaging in giant evil laughs. It's also extremely concerning lol.