© Getty / Dora Lazarevic / EyeEm The " caveman diet" is a paleo diet for skincare The 'caveman diet' skincare routine is going viral on social media.
The routine involves the complete renunciation of all skin care products.
Previously, a dermatologist answered all questions regarding this direction.
Nowadays we use the TikTok search bar more than Google. The app is a treasure trove of information, especially when it comes to beauty tips and tricks. Whether it's the app's users encouraging people to apply hemorrhoid cream to bags under their eyes or use calamine lotion as a makeup base, the tricks are endless, but it can be hard to figure out which one is really good. recommendation and what gets posted to get clicks.
Recently, a skincare routine (or rather, an anti-skin routine) called the "caveman regimen" has become popular, with many users of the app stating that it has worked wonders for their faces but does it really work? ? Or is it just another TikTok craze? We caught up with Karan Lal, MD, a board-certified pediatric cosmetic dermatologist, to answer all of our burning questions about the caveman regimen, what it is, if it's safe, and if it really works.
What is the caveman system?
Simply put, the caveman diet, also called the caveman method, is the practice of doing nothing to your skin. This is sometimes called a paleo skincare diet, and it involves cutting out everything: no skincare products, no makeup, no face washing, etc.
"It's a wise regimen," Dr. Lal told POPSUGAR. "Basically, you're giving up everything you use in hopes of repairing your skin."
This trend has been around for years and has recently become popular on social media as many people have been trying it for a long time. However, the results are mixed. TikTok user Nikki Chan has detailed her experience with the 30-day caveman regimen, with less-than-stellar results, while others say the caveman regimen is the only skincare routine that has ever worked .
What are the advantages of the cave system?
Applying the man cave regimen can be a great way to help your skin heal if you suffer from allergies. "It's helpful for people with allergic skin conditions, stubborn rashes, and eczema," adds Dr. Lal. Plus, she says, "It's a great way to see what might be causing a facial rash, and it makes things easier for people who don't want to do much. It's basically like an elimination diet."
There may be specific ingredients in skincare or makeup products that cause adverse effects on your skin, and if you remove them all, it should recover. However, for some, this is not always the case and trying this regimen could backfire.
How does the Cavernous system work?
If that sounds like something you might be interested in trying, the caveman diet is easy to try; All you have to do is not put any products on your face. (If you do, though, Dr. Lal recommends continuing to use SPF regardless.)
How long you have to do it, the man cave system can be tailored to your specific needs, but it usually lasts anywhere from seven to 30 days. After all, it's up to your logic to try. For example, if you have a facial rash and aren't sure what caused it, you might want to cut out all skin care products for a week before slowly reintroducing everything. "There is no set amount of time, but until your skin is better than before," says Dr. Lal.
What are the dangers of the caveman diet?
While Dr. Lal says the cleansing regimen is technically safe for all skin types, there are some risks. The biggest lack of sunscreen. "Sunscreen effectively reduces the risk of skin cancer. Wear it with at least an SPF," says Dr. Lal. If you decide to try the regimen while still using your SPF, there aren't many downsides to fatigue; However, you should be aware that the results may not be what you expect. Chan said that during her 30-day trial of the system, she experienced dark circles, whiteheads, clogged pores, rough texture and cystic acne.
If you're someone with sensitive skin who's looking for an easy skincare routine that won't cause irritation or a reaction, Dr. Lal suggests using a gentle cleanser like PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser ($32, originally $38), plus to follow a moisturizer to use. Like Clinical Skin Multi-Lipid Replenishing Moisturizer ($94, originally $110) and always end up with an SPF like Revision Skincare Intellishade Clear SPF 50 ($68, originally $80).