By Chiagoziem Abosi
Edited by Bababunmi Agbebi
Your TikTok feed says you need a new serum.
Your favourite beauty girl has just added another step to her morning routine.
Someone on Instagram is recommending a ₦50,000 facial.
And suddenly, taking care of your skin feels like a full-time job with a monthly subscription.
But before you spend your money on the next viral beauty trend, let’s ask a better question:
Does it actually work, or is it simply good marketing?
Because not every beauty trend deserves a place in your bathroom or a bite out of your salary.
We know. Nobody wants to hear that the most worthwhile skincare routine may be the least exciting one.
But there is a reason dermatologists keep coming back to the basics.
A gentle cleanser, moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher can form the foundation of a good skincare routine. The American Academy of Dermatology also warns that using too many products can irritate the skin, particularly when several active anti-ageing products are introduced at once.
So if you are spending heavily on five different serums but skipping sunscreen because “I’m mostly indoors,” your beauty budget may need a little restructuring.
Verdict: Worth it.
Not because it is trendy, but because consistency matters.
Sunscreen? Please don’t skip it.
If there is one beauty product we would happily call a money-worth-spending-on staple, it is sunscreen.
Dermatologists recommend broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for protection against UV damage. Regular sun protection can also help reduce premature skin ageing and dark spots.
And yes, this applies even if your skin tone is deep.
Your sunscreen does not need to be the most expensive one on the shelf. What matters is choosing one that suits your skin and that you will actually use consistently.
Verdict: Definitely worth it.
Retinol and other “active” ingredients? Maybe.
Retinols have earned their reputation for a reason, but this is where we should stop copying somebody else’s routine.
An active ingredient should have a purpose.
Are you treating acne? Hyperpigmentation? Fine lines? Uneven texture?
Don’t buy an ingredient simply because somebody on TikTok said it changed their skin.
And don’t introduce several powerful actives at once because you are impatient for results. Dermatologists specifically warn that piling on products can irritate the skin.
Verdict: Worth considering if it addresses your actual concern.
What about facials, chemical peels and microneedling?
Now we’re getting to the expensive stuff.
These treatments aren’t automatically scams.
For specific concerns such as acne scars, there is evidence supporting procedures including microneedling and chemical peels. Recent research found that both can improve atrophic acne scars, although the evidence does not mean one treatment is universally best for everyone.
A 2025 systematic review also found that combining microneedling with chemical peels produced better outcomes for atrophic acne scars than either treatment alone in the studies reviewed.
But here’s the catch:
Your skin concern should determine the treatment not the trend.
A professional treatment is also not the place to chase the cheapest deal you can find.
Verdict: Potentially worth it for the right person and the right concern.
And those viral “miracle” products? Be careful.
This is where we need to shake the table.
A product promising glass skin overnight, permanent pore reduction, instant brightening or dramatic transformation deserves a raised eyebrow.
Cosmetic claims are not automatically proof that something works. The FDA notes that cosmetic claims must be truthful and not misleading, while products making certain treatment claims can fall under drug regulations.
And please, especially with skin-lightening products, read the label.
The FDA continues to warn about products containing harmful levels of mercury and hydroquinone, including products marketed for skin lightening and anti-ageing.
For Nigerians, there’s another useful check: NAFDAC has an online system for verifying registered products.
So, what is actually worth your money?
The answer may be less glamorous than Instagram makes it seem.
Spend on products that solve a problem you actually have.
Spend on sunscreen.
Spend on a good moisturiser if your skin needs one.
Spend on a cleanser that doesn’t irritate your skin.
Spend on targeted treatments when there is a genuine concern to address.
And when you need a procedure, spend on qualified professional care, not just a fancy Instagram page.
You don’t need a 12-step routine to prove that you take care of yourself.
Sometimes the smartest beauty purchase is the one you don’t make.
Because the goal isn’t to own every viral beauty product.
It’s to have skin and hair that are healthy, cared for and suited to you without turning your bank account into the real before-and-after picture.
So, tell us:
Which beauty trend have you actually joined?
Did it live up to the hype, or are you still wondering where your money went?
Drop your experience in the comments and tell us which beauty trend you think is completely overrated.
