By: Emily Hur
Tik Tok users across the globe are replacing makeup primer with calamine lotion, claiming that it is cheaper and offers several skin benefits. However, doctors are advising against the popular “beauty hack.”
The Tik Tok hashtag #calamineprimer has around 3.5 million views. Its videos typically consist of makeup tutorials or reviews by uncertified makeup enthusiasts. They cover their faces with the pink lotion and point out the changes, such as reduced acne, smooth finishes, or less oil.
“I cannot see my pores anywhere,” one user stated, describing her skin as looking “super matte.” Others are claiming that the product helps their makeup stay put throughout the day.
Calamine lotion is supposed to reduce rashes and itching for conditions such as chickenpox or bug bites but only if used sparingly. Dermatologists and doctors are saying that excessive use can lead to long-term consequences, including dry skin and worsened skin conditions.
“It just doesn’t make sense to use calamine lotion and risk drying out the skin and damaging the skin barrier,” Azadeh Shirazi, a dermatologist in San Diego, told The Washington Post.
Shirazi, also known as “skinbydrazi” on TikTok, uses her account to fight against fake beauty tips. Her 1.8 million followers frequently tag her on videos to ask her health-related questions.
Many recent questions have been about using calamine lotion as makeup. Shirazi advises viewers to look at its ingredients before applying it as a primer. She warns that too much of it can cause “severe irritation and worsening of scars.”
Calamine lotion contains ferric oxide, phenol, and zinc oxide, an astringent. She says that the chemicals work together to create a dry barrier on top of the skin while the surface underneath heals. “Ferric oxide helps with itching and the phenol is also a powerful exfoliant,” Shirazi said. “Combining phenol with an astringent as in calamine lotion can be very drying and irritating, leading to a damaged skin barrier. It can worsen skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and dermatitis.”
People without skin conditions can still feel the side effects. Kourtney Hammett, a makeup artist in Essex, England, says that while primers are supposed to smooth the skin and prepare it for more makeup, calamine lotion’s “drying” effect could result in fine lines and wrinkles in the future.
Wmany Tik Tok accounts are oblivious to the lotion’s harmful side effects, loyal viewers still follow them and trust their word. It is not fair to the audience to be fed lies that can damage their health despite any initially good intentions. The viewers deserve to understand the full situation to make the best choices for themselves. In general, people should not manipulate others through misinformation.
The calamine lotion trend extends past Tik Tok and into the economy. With the sudden increase in demand for the product, stores are struggling to keep their shelves full. Several parents in the United Kingdom have been having trouble finding enough lotion for their children’s chickenpox. One TikToker wrote, “I have to use this when my lupus flares up, now it’s sold out in Walmart.”