Certain tourist attractions in countries like Iceland, Greece and Indonesia have gone viral as influencers flock to various natural beauty treatments – but a skincare expert has warned that some of the methods they flog aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
Popular mineral-rich salt scrubs and mud masks, as well as soaking in deep blue thermal springs have become ubiquitous with beautiful locations such as Bali, Indonesia, and the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.
But dermatologists are revealing that aggressively exfoliating the skin with sand, salt and mud, especially on the face, can cause damage to the skin, with some of it leaving long-lasting effects.
It comes after TikTok influencer Rebecca Gordon shared a clip of herself using sand to scrub her face and washing it off while frolicking in the sea.
In text over the screen, she wrote that she had not ‘washed her face in a week’ with regular cleansers, instead giving herself ‘daily sea scrub facials’.
She told her over 470,000 followers in the caption: ‘Something about the ocean water gives me glass skin. Literally zero pimples.’
But Dr Ellie Jolly, skincare expert at The Ilkley Skin Clinic, has urged viewers to be cautious.
‘Scrubbing your skin with sand, salt or mud might feel like a free, natural exfoliation, but it’s not doing your skin any favours,’ she told the Daily Mail.
TikTok influencers, such as Zoiea Karim, have made locations like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland viral for its purported skincare benefits
The Dead Sea in Jordan has also become a popular destination among influencers like Miela Goodchild for their ‘mineral-rich mud’ masks
‘These materials are incredibly rough and can create microscopic tears in the skin’s surface. These tiny abrasions might not be visible to the eye, but they leave your skin vulnerable to irritation, bacteria, and potential infections.’
Dr Ellie also said that aggressively exfoliating with such materials will remove any SPF on the skin, which in turn removes protection against harmful UV rays while outdoors.
‘If you’re wearing sunscreen (which you absolutely should be), rubbing these materials all over your skin will likely strip that protective layer right off,’ she added.
‘That means your freshly scrubbed, now more sensitive skin is directly exposed to UV rays, making it more prone to sunburn and long-term sun damage.’
Acne-prone skin can also became even more irritated and inflamed if sand or other harsh materials are used as a scrub, further exacerbating cystic or chronic acne.
Dr Ellie continued: ‘Instead of helping, you’re likely to trigger flare-ups, spread bacteria, and make breakouts more painful and persistent.’
Exfoliation isn’t just harsh on acne-prone skin – sensitive skin and people with other skin conditions don’t stand to benefit from such treatments at all.
She also cautioned that people with conditions like eczema or rosacea ‘should stay especially clear’ of such viral beauty treatments.
Moroccan hammam spas, which are highly popular for scrubs and soaks, are also a favourite among TikTokers, like travel influencer Tasha
‘This can aggravate these conditions, leading to redness, itching, and even broken skin,’ she added.
‘What might feel like a quick exfoliation can turn into days (or weeks) of discomfort.’
Finally, harsh exfoliation can lead to dark marks and hyperpigmentation that is very difficult to get rid of.
‘Manual exfoliation can leave behind dark marks called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,’ she recounted.
‘These marks are common in people with tan to deeper skin tones and can take a long time to fade, especially when exposed to the sun.
‘In short, scrubbing with sand might cause damage that lasts far longer than your holiday.’
If you must exfoliate, Dr Ellie advises keeping things gentle and consistent to avoid irritation.
She suggested: ‘Stick to exfoliating once or twice a week, and listen to your skin. If it’s feeling tight, dry or irritated, scale back.
‘For some, a mild chemical exfoliant like lactic acid or polyhydroxy acid (PHA) might be more suitable than a gritty scrub.
‘Or if you do prefer a physical exfoliant, go for something designed for the face, definitely not sand.
‘The goal is to support your skin, not strip it. Less is often more when it comes to exfoliation.’
