The weirdest TikTok beauty hacks

Every other video on my FYP on TikTok is some new beauty hack or secret. It could be someone rubbing castor oil on their face, oil pulling their teeth, or rubbing a homemade concoction of oils and creams into their hair for an overnight hair mask. But, with all of these, what’s a real beauty hack, and what's just someone creating content for click bait? It's important to know what's real and what isn't, especially when you're applying homemade products to your face, skin, or hair. One wrong move and you could have a skin reaction, breakouts, or seriously damaged hair. So, what are some of these tricks, and do they really work? What's the science behind it? Let's take a look at some of the current top beauty trends and see if they're real or just another viral sensation. 

Oil Pulling

Recently, oil pulling is one of those beauty trends that feels like it just appeared one day out of the ether. Originally from an Indian remedy, oil pulling has been around for thousands of years, so there must be some benefits from it, but how accurate are they? The practice of oil pulling is essentially swishing around coconut oil in your mouth for multiple minutes. It's said that the coconut oil whitens teeth, leaving you a naturally white smile. However, Healthline has recently published an article debunking this, warning that oil pulling, while it might be helpful to get some bacteria out of your mouth, hasn't been proven to whiten teeth. 

Castor oil as a facial moisturizer

On TikTok, @vanilla_swirlxx recently went viral for her nighttime skincare routine, in which she applies castor oil to her face every day. She claims that castor oil is her secret weapon to glassy, flawless skin. Even going as far as to claim that it not only helps with skin irritations like eczema but can also help with signs of aging. But is any of this true? Castor oil has been credited for everything from enhanced hair growth to a safe way to store dentures to a potent and strong laxative. This wonder product is anti-inflammatory and filled with antioxidants. When paired with a very simple moisturizer, it can help skin across multiple conditions, yes, even including reducing the signs of aging. So, while maybe unorthodox, TikTok was right with this one.

Avocado hair masks

Widely advertised for dry, damaged hair, the DIY girlies have been preaching about avocado hair masks since YouTube was the platform of choice for beauty bloggers. Originally, the avocado hair mask went viral for being an easy and cost-effective at-home hair solution. However, is it really effective, or are you just putting food in your hair? A 2015 study found that the Biotin in avocados actually has cuticle-sealing properties, which can help hair look healthier, shinier, and less damaged. Avocados are filled with fatty acids, what we commonly hear referred to as "good fats"  which improve overall hair health and can help reduce damage. Consider this TikTok hack correct.

Do your research and ask a doctor

Whether you're doom-scrolling on TikTok or actively searching for beauty hacks, take your time to do your research. Some things we find online are not proven to work, and the last thing you want is to ruin your skin, hair, or face. Spend time doing a quick Google search, or if you're really not certain, ask your doctor. Be careful and don't just jump into every viral trend you see.