While the phrase “Caveman Skincare” may feel like an oxymoron—after all, if a caveman didn’t have a wheel, he certainly wasn’t thinking about salmon sperm facials—the idea behind the trend is eternal. When TikTok creator Tia Zakher announced to her followers she was no longer washing her face in the hopes of repairing a broken skin barrier, the viral moment caused many to wonder about its legitimacy (Zakher confirmed with People that this is no hoax; she did indeed go weeks without touching a face cleanser) and if it would actually work.
Going the “caveman skincare” route, to those in the know, means that one has completely stopped doing their skin routine. Yes: no sunscreen, no serums, no cleanser… not even a little spritz of water. Caveman epiphany: Most experts do not recommend this approach to restore your skin barrier—especially when it comes to skipping the cleansing part of your routine. It is imperative to wash your face to remove dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and other debris. Leaving those to build up on your skin can lead to bacteria and fungus that will create more skin problems.
So for those who are considering going cavemen, may we instead suggest…a simple-but-effective beauty routine? “In this day and age, when everything moves so quickly, we want something quick, easy that’ll deliver results [and] is effective,” says David Kim, MD, board-certified dermatologist at NY Dermatology Group.
“I don’t think [multi-steps] are necessary to get excellent results,” adds Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. The answer has to lie somewhere in the middle.
What is the ideal basic skincare routine?
If you’re looking to get back to the basics, there is a safe and effective way to do so. Dr. Kim says that this is especially helpful for those who have sensitive skin, bad acne flare-ups, or perioral dermatitis.
The non-negotiables, says Dr. King, are a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer that contains humectants, emollients, or occlusives, and sunscreen with SPF during the day. Serums, which contain active ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C to target specific skin concerns, can be considered optional depending on your needs. But you might be able to swap it for your moisturizer so you can get the most out of your minimal routine. “There are so many good lightweight serums that can deliver hydration and brighten the skin. So I find it useful to use a cleanser, serum, and SPF. You can skip a moisturizer, especially in the summer,” says Dr. Kim.
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