TikTok users are encouraging something that doctors don’t recommend: using calamine lotion as a primer. Calamine lotion is the latest beauty hack, and is said to repair skin, dry oily skin, and a make a fantastic replacement for makeup. Many people have failed to wonder if there are any downsides to this miraculous product.
The first problem with this new trend is that quite a few people don’t know what calamine lotion is or what it is made of. Calamine is used to relieve itching, pain, and discomfort from things like sunburns, acne, and poison ivy.
“Calamine lotion contains mostly zinc oxide as well as iron oxide, but can contain other ingredients such as glycerin, water, carrageenan, and calcium hydroxide,” says dermatologist Stacy Chimento. “The ingredients can often be too harsh for those with sensitive skin and can lead to over-drying and severe irritation.”
It is critically important to use the lotion correctly. The problem is that many TikTokers will leave their “makeup” on for an hour or more, when they are only supposed to leave calamine lotion on for a maximum 20 minutes.
The American Academy of Dermatology warns that if the lotion is not used sparingly, it will have negative results on skin. Overdose or incorrect use can lead to trouble breathing, passing out, or significantly worse skin irritation. Not many people know this information, which has led to significant problems.
But
#calaminelotion
has exploded, gaining over 20.4 million views worldwide. Plus, many TikTokers are also showing their approval. A popular makeup TikToker called therealembree says, “I think give it a try.” It’s not just therealembree who is promoting the lotion. In fact, many TikTokers are telling their viewers to try it, and the growing number of positive comments has caused calamine lotion to sell out in many stores.
When people who need the lotion can’t buy any because the shelves are empty, it can lead to severe problems. One TikTok user says, “I have to use this when my lupus flares up, now it’s sold out in Walmart.” Some speculate that this is because calamine lotion is more affordable than many primers, costing only a little under 2 pounds ($2.40) in the U.K.
Dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi says that “It just doesn’t make sense to use calamine lotion and risk drying out the skin and damaging the skin barrier.” But many don’t listen to such warnings and continue to use the lotion.
One makeup artist on TikTok, called prettygirlgangmakeup, claims that she tends to spend a lot of money on primers and has tried all kinds of cheap and expensive ones. “I was so surprised at how good my makeup looked,” she said after she tried calamine lotion, which cost her $4.50.
The first problem with this new trend is that quite a few people don’t know what calamine lotion is or what it is made of. Calamine is used to relieve itching, pain, and discomfort from things like sunburns, acne, and poison ivy.
“Calamine lotion contains mostly zinc oxide as well as iron oxide, but can contain other ingredients such as glycerin, water, carrageenan, and calcium hydroxide,” says dermatologist Stacy Chimento. “The ingredients can often be too harsh for those with sensitive skin and can lead to over-drying and severe irritation.”
It is critically important to use the lotion correctly. The problem is that many TikTokers will leave their “makeup” on for an hour or more, when they are only supposed to leave calamine lotion on for a maximum 20 minutes.
The American Academy of Dermatology warns that if the lotion is not used sparingly, it will have negative results on skin. Overdose or incorrect use can lead to trouble breathing, passing out, or significantly worse skin irritation. Not many people know this information, which has led to significant problems.
But
#calaminelotion
has exploded, gaining over 20.4 million views worldwide. Plus, many TikTokers are also showing their approval. A popular makeup TikToker called therealembree says, “I think give it a try.” It’s not just therealembree who is promoting the lotion. In fact, many TikTokers are telling their viewers to try it, and the growing number of positive comments has caused calamine lotion to sell out in many stores.
When people who need the lotion can’t buy any because the shelves are empty, it can lead to severe problems. One TikTok user says, “I have to use this when my lupus flares up, now it’s sold out in Walmart.” Some speculate that this is because calamine lotion is more affordable than many primers, costing only a little under 2 pounds ($2.40) in the U.K.
Dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi says that “It just doesn’t make sense to use calamine lotion and risk drying out the skin and damaging the skin barrier.” But many don’t listen to such warnings and continue to use the lotion.
One makeup artist on TikTok, called prettygirlgangmakeup, claims that she tends to spend a lot of money on primers and has tried all kinds of cheap and expensive ones. “I was so surprised at how good my makeup looked,” she said after she tried calamine lotion, which cost her $4.50.
