Is It Worth the Hype? I Tried 5 Viral Skincare Hacks So You Don’t Have To

By Luna Vale

You know that moment when you’re 17 scrolls deep into BeautyTok at 11:46 PM, and suddenly you’re convinced that slugging with raw honey or icing your face with a literal popsicle is going to change your skin (and maybe your life)? Yeah, same.

I’ve been there more times than I care to admit—and I still fall for it sometimes. So in the spirit of “I did this so you don’t have to,” I decided to try 5 viral skincare hacks making the rounds right now to see what’s actually worth your time (and what your skin might lowkey hate you for).

Let’s get into it.

1. Slugging with Vaseline

The hype: A thick layer of petroleum jelly over your nighttime routine to seal everything in like a glazed donut.

What TikTok says: Your skin will be baby-soft and dewy by morning.

What actually happened:
Okay, first of all—my grandmother was right about Vaseline, and I owe her an apology for all the eye-rolls. I’ve tried slugging before with fancy balms and expensive “occlusives,” but Vaseline? She’s the OG.

I did this on a night when my skin felt dry, angry, and just… over it. I cleansed, used my hydrating serum (the trusty snail mucin one—if you know, you know), and layered a pea-sized amount of Vaseline on top.

The morning after: My skin was plump, soft, and not broken out. I know some folks are scared Vaseline will clog pores, but it’s actually non-comedogenic (science says so). The key is to use it sparingly and only after products your skin actually likes.

Verdict:
✅ Totally worth the hype—especially if you’ve got dry, irritated skin. But maybe skip it if you’re super oily or acne-prone in the T-zone.

2. Ice Rolling Every Morning

The hype: Ice rollers or frozen spoons to reduce puffiness, shrink pores, and give your skin a glow.

What TikTok says: You’ll look like you slept 9 hours and drank 3 liters of water.

What actually happened:
I got one of those $10 Amazon ice rollers (pink, obviously) and started rolling every morning after cleansing. Not gonna lie—it feels amazing, especially if you’re half-asleep and haven’t had coffee yet.

It did make my skin look a bit tighter and less puffy, especially around my eyes. But as far as long-term benefits? Meh. It’s more of a temporary fix than a miracle worker.

Also: do not apply it directly from the freezer unless you enjoy the sensation of tiny knives on your face. Let it sit for a minute or two before using.

Verdict:
😌 Nice bonus, but not a game-changer. Great for hangover skin or post-cry puffiness. But don’t expect it to replace your serum.

3. Using Diaper Rash Cream for Acne

The hype: Zinc oxide cream (yep, the kind for baby butts) as a spot treatment for breakouts.

What TikTok says: It calms inflammation overnight and dries up pimples fast.

What actually happened:
Look, I was skeptical. But also desperate, because I had a hormonal chin breakout and needed something that didn’t make it worse.

So I grabbed a tube of Boudreaux’s Butt Paste (what a name) and dabbed it on the angry red spots before bed. It felt a little greasy going on, and I was 80% sure I’d regret this in the morning.

But y’all—IT WORKED. The redness went down, the spots shrunk, and no new ones popped up nearby. Turns out, zinc oxide is anti-inflammatory, and diaper cream often has other skin-soothing ingredients like calendula and beeswax.

Warning: This is very thick and chalky, so it’s best as an overnight spot treatment—not something you wanna wear under makeup.

Verdict:
🎯 Surprisingly legit. Budget-friendly, gentle, and effective for the occasional angry breakout.

4. DIY Green Tea Toner

The hype: Brewed green tea as a calming, antioxidant-rich toner.

What TikTok says: It reduces redness, controls oil, and makes your skin glow.

What actually happened:
I made a small batch (1 green tea bag steeped in half a cup of water, cooled completely) and put it in a mini spray bottle in the fridge. I used it after cleansing at night for a week straight.

At first, it felt refreshing. But after day three, I noticed some weird tightness and flakiness around my mouth and nose. Not a full-on reaction, but definitely irritation.

The likely culprit? No preservatives. Homemade toners can go bad fast—and tea, even refrigerated, isn’t stable long-term. Also, my skin is sensitive sensitive, and I think this was just a bit too DIY for her.

Verdict:
⚠️ Pass—for me. If you’ve got resilient, oily skin, it might be fine short-term. But don’t expect miracles, and don’t keep it longer than a couple of days.

5. Using Aloe Vera as a Night Mask

The hype: Aloe vera gel (from the plant or a bottle) as an overnight hydrating mask.

What TikTok says: It calms, hydrates, brightens, and clears acne.

What actually happened:
I tried both store-bought aloe gel and fresh-cut aloe from a plant I definitely forgot to water for two weeks. Both were cooling and felt nice on application. But by morning, my skin felt… weird.

Tight. Sticky. A little itchy. Turns out, aloe can be irritating in high amounts for sensitive skin—and some store-bought versions contain alcohol or preservatives that make things worse.

Also: sleeping with aloe on your face feels like you’ve got a thin layer of Elmer’s glue. Not the best bedtime vibe.

Verdict:
👎 Nope, not for me. Great for sunburns, but as a night mask? Hard pass. Hydrating serums or a basic cream do a better job without the weirdness.

Final Thoughts from My Tiny Skincare Lab (aka My Bathroom)

Here’s the thing: not every viral hack is evil. Some are cheap, creative workarounds for expensive skincare. Others? Straight-up disasters waiting to happen. I’ve learned the hard way (and so has my poor barrier) that even good ideas can go sideways if they’re not made for your skin.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

So, Should You Try These?

Only if you’re cool with the occasional breakout, wasted product, or existential crisis in front of your bathroom mirror. (Kidding… kinda.)

Here’s my real advice: don’t believe the hype just because someone’s skin looks flawless in a 15-second clip. We all have different skin, hormones, stress levels, and budgets. What works for your favorite influencer might make your face freak out—and that’s okay.

And if you do want to try something, do a patch test, start small, and trust how your skin actually feels. Not the promises. Not the pretty packaging. Just you and your skin, figuring it out.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go toss three expired products and put on some Vaseline like a glowing, glazed legend.

With love and half-empty bottles,
Luna 💋