The Hygiene Wardrobe & Overconsumption
Do You REALLY Need a Wardrobe of Body Washes? The Truth About Hygiene Hoarding.
I keep seeing TikToks, like one from “vanilla swirls,” where showers are overflowing with countless body washes. Let’s be honest: most people don’t even finish one full-size bottle before buying another. This trend of collecting a “wardrobe” of hygiene products begs the question: are these items actually being used before they expire, or is it just hoarding for content? It seems like an incredible waste of money and product, all for the sake of an overflowing shower aesthetic. We need to talk about when self-care crosses into overconsumption.
Honest Talk: Are Influencers USING All Those Products, or Just Selling You More?
When I see influencers like the “vanilla product hoarder” showcasing massive collections, I have to wonder if it’s realistic. Is anyone truly using that many products before they go bad? Or is the sheer volume more about creating aspirational content and driving sales through affiliate links? It’s crucial to analyze whether these displays are genuine personal use or a performance designed to encourage viewers to buy more than they need, contributing to a cycle of consumption for content’s sake.
How Many Vanilla Body Products is TOO MANY? Reacting to a SHOCKING Collection!
I stumbled upon a creator whose entire shower wall was a shrine to vanilla-scented body products. While loving a fragrance is fine, the sheer redundancy was astounding. Do you really need ten different vanilla body scrubs that all essentially do the same thing and smell alike? Beyond the questionable need, the impracticality of storing and accessing these items in a shower is baffling. This collection seems to be a prime example of when a preference becomes an excessive, over-the-top display of consumption.
The Dark Side of “Aesthetic” Hygiene: Is It Just Mindless Consumerism?
The trend of curating “aesthetic” shower routines, like Victoria Jade’s themed shopping hauls for lavender or sugar cookie scents, often masks a darker side: mindless consumerism. Buying products solely because they fit a color scheme or a fleeting theme, rather than for their actual utility or your need for them, is the epitome of overconsumption. This focus on aesthetics over function encourages viewers to accumulate unnecessary items, all under the guise of “self-care,” but it often just leads to waste.
Before TikTok, Did EVERYONE Stink? Debunking Influencer Hygiene Myths.
My subscriber Karina made a great point: based on current influencer logic, it seems like before TikTok, everyone must have smelled bad because we weren’t double cleansing or layering ten matching-scented products! This really highlights how these extreme routines create an artificial standard. Good hygiene has always been achievable with simple, effective products. The idea that you need an arsenal of specific, often expensive, items to be clean and smell good is a myth largely perpetuated for content and sales.
The $1000 Shower Routine: Necessary Self-Care or Peak Overconsumption?
I saw a creator admit to spending over one thousand dollars on their shower setup, including products and racks. This immediately made me question: is this level of spending truly necessary for self-care and basic hygiene, or has it crossed into peak overconsumption? While investing in quality products you love is fine, a four-figure sum for shower items seems excessive for most people and points towards a collecting habit rather than a practical approach to cleanliness.
Are Influencers Buying All This Stuff Themselves? Investigating Hygiene Hauls.
It’s important to question the source of the endless products in influencer hygiene hauls. Are creators like “vanilla swirls” actually purchasing all these items with their own money, or is a significant portion PR from brands? While the creator I looked into seemed to be making store purchases, the line can be blurry. Understanding this context is key because it impacts the perceived attainability and financial implications of these elaborate routines for their audience.
When Self-Care Becomes EXCESS: The Problem with TikTok Hygiene Trends.
TikTok is flooded with hygiene routines that, while presented as “self-care,” often promote excessive consumption. Having a routine you enjoy is great, but when it involves an entire wardrobe of body washes, multiple daily exfoliation steps, or buying products just for an “aesthetic,” it becomes problematic. These trends can lead to wasted products, damaged skin, and unnecessary spending, blurring the line between genuine self-care and harmful excess driven by online trends.
The EXPIRATION DATE on Your Body Wash Collection: Are You Wasting Money?
Many of these TikTok hygiene hauls showcase dozens of open products. Here’s a reality check: most body washes, lotions, and scrubs have a shelf life, typically around twelve months after opening. If you have a massive collection, it’s highly unlikely you’re finishing these items before they expire or lose their efficacy. This means a significant portion of that “hygiene wardrobe” is probably just collecting dust and eventually heading to a landfill, resulting in wasted money and product.
Your Hobby Shouldn’t Be THIS Wasteful: Rethinking Hygiene Collections.
Some might defend amassing huge hygiene collections by calling it a “hobby.” However, when a hobby contributes to significant excess waste, overconsumption, and promotes these habits to a young, impressionable audience, it’s worth rethinking. The environmental impact of unused, expired products and the financial burden of constant purchasing are serious considerations. True self-care shouldn’t come at the expense of sustainability or encourage others towards such wasteful practices.
Critiquing Specific Routine Steps & Claims
Double Cleansing Your BODY? Scam or Must-Do? Influencer vs. Reality.
Several TikTokers, including the first one and Victoria Jade, advocate for double cleansing their bodies – washing twice in one shower. Is this a necessary step for optimal cleanliness, or just an influencer-driven trend? For the average person who isn’t getting exceptionally dirty daily, one thorough wash with a good quality soap or body wash is more than sufficient. Double cleansing is often an unnecessary, product-wasting step unless you have specific circumstances like heavy sweating or exposure to significant grime.
Is Shower Gel ACTUALLY Soap? The Misinformation in Hygiene Routines.
One TikToker claimed that shower gel “isn’t soap” and doesn’t actually clean you, necessitating a pre-wash with “actual soap.” This is misleading. While traditional bar soap is made through saponification, shower gels are typically synthetic detergents containing surfactants. These surfactants effectively break down oil, dirt, and bacteria, meaning they do get you clean. In fact, many shower gels are gentler than traditional soap. You don’t need two different cleansers to be properly clean.
SQUEAKY Clean is BAD For Your Skin! Why Influencers Are Wrong.
Many online hygiene routines aim for that “squeaky clean” feeling, but this is a major misconception. Your skin is not a dinner plate; it shouldn’t feel stripped and glistening. That squeaky cleanness actually means you’ve removed your skin’s natural, protective oils, which can damage your skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. Feeling fresh is great, but aiming for “squeaky clean” is actively harming your skin’s health.
Dry Brushing EVERY Day? You’re Damaging Your Skin! Influencer Warning.
The first TikToker recommended dry brushing every time you get into the shower. This is generally not advisable. Dry brushing is a form of exfoliation, and doing it daily can be too harsh for most skin types, leading to irritation, dryness, and micro-tears. The recommended frequency depends on your skin’s tolerance – normal to oily skin might handle it three to four times a week, while dry or sensitive skin should stick to once or twice, max. Daily is often excessive.
African Net Sponge + Dry Brush = OVER-EXFOLIATION DISASTER! Hygiene Red Flag.
The routine shared by the first TikToker included daily dry brushing followed by using an African net sponge in the shower. Both of these are exfoliation methods. Combining them, especially daily, is a recipe for over-exfoliation. This can severely compromise your skin barrier, leading to redness, sensitivity, increased dryness, and even tiny cuts in your skin. It’s crucial to exfoliate mindfully, not aggressively with multiple methods every single day. This combination is a serious red flag.
Layering Scents: When Does It Become OVERPOWERING (And Harmful?).
Layering products with the same scent can enhance fragrance longevity, which many influencers promote. However, there’s a fine line. If you’re piling on multiple strongly scented items – body wash, lotion, oil, mist, perfume – the result can be overpowering. This isn’t just unpleasant for those around you; it can trigger migraines (as it does for me!), allergies, or respiratory issues in sensitive individuals. Being mindful of fragrance strength is as important as smelling good.
Do You REALLY Need Matching Scented EVERYTHING? The Layering Myth.
The idea that you must use body wash, lotion, oil, and mist all in the exact same scent as your perfume to make it last is a bit of a myth promoted by influencers. While it can help, it’s often unnecessary and can be limiting. A good quality, long-lasting perfume doesn’t always need extensive layering. Furthermore, this approach discourages fragrance variety and can lead to buying many redundant products just to match one particular perfume.
The “Squeaky Squeaky Squeaky Clean” Obsession (And Why It’s Hurting Your Skin).
The first TikToker emphasized using an exfoliating mitt to get “squeaky squeaky squeaky clean.” This highlights a dangerous obsession with stripping the skin. That “squeaky” feeling signifies that you’ve removed all natural oils, disrupting your skin’s protective barrier. This can lead to dryness, irritation, inflammation, and make your skin more vulnerable to external aggressors. Gentle cleansing is key; aggressively scrubbing for a “squeaky” feel is counterproductive to healthy skin.
Putting Perfume in Your HAIRBRUSH? Does This TikTok Hack Actually Work?
The first TikToker suggested spraying perfume or body mist onto your hairbrush and then brushing your hair to make it smell like your chosen fragrance. This hack can work to lightly scent your hair. However, many perfumes contain alcohol, which can be drying to your hair strands over time, especially with frequent use. While it might make your hair smell good temporarily, it’s worth considering the potential for dryness or damage if done regularly with alcohol-based fragrances.
Oiling DAMP Skin: Good Advice or Just Another Step? Analyzing TikTok Routines.
Applying body oil to damp skin, as recommended by the first TikToker, is generally good advice. Water helps the oil spread more easily and can help “lock in” some of that moisture as the oil creates a barrier. This can lead to softer, more hydrated skin. While it’s a beneficial step, especially for dry skin, whether it’s an absolutely necessary step for everyone, every single time, in an already multi-step routine, is debatable. It adds another product and layer.
The “Themed Routine” Trend & Victoria Jade
Lavender Shower Haul: Necessary or Just for an “Aesthetic”? (Victoria Jade Reaction).
I watched Victoria Jade’s TikTok where she went “hygiene shopping at Target for an all lavender routine.” While the idea of a calming lavender shower sounds nice, the video felt more like an exercise in buying products purely because they fit a theme and an “aesthetic.” This raises the question: is this about genuine need and effective self-care, or is it about creating visually appealing content and encouraging the purchase of a whole new set of items for a specific, potentially fleeting, vibe?
She Bought It “Because It MATCHES”?! The Problem with Victoria Jade’s Logic.
In her lavender routine shopping video, Victoria Jade picked up a deodorant saying she didn’t remember how she liked it but was “getting it because it matches.” This perfectly illustrates the problem with these themed hauls. Prioritizing aesthetic matching over product efficacy or actual need is a clear example of mindless consumption. It sends a message that accumulating a coordinated set of items is more important than choosing products that genuinely work well for you.
A NEW Scented Shower Routine EVERY WEEK? Victoria Jade’s Overconsumption.
I noticed that Victoria Jade posted a “fall scented shower routine” hygiene shopping video on August 21st, and then literally seven days later, on August 28th, she posted another one for a “lavender shower routine.” This frequency of purchasing entire new sets of themed products highlights a significant pattern of overconsumption. It’s unrealistic for anyone to use up so many products so quickly, suggesting these hauls are more for content creation than personal, sustainable use.
Sugar Cookie Shower Routine: Sweet Treat or Just More Waste? (Victoria Jade Part 2).
Following her lavender and fall-themed hauls, Victoria Jade also shared a “hygiene shopping for an all sugar cookie shower routine.” This further exemplifies the trend of accumulating multiple, distinct sets of scented products. While a sugar cookie scent sounds festive for Christmas, the continuous acquisition of entirely new routines raises concerns about product waste and the promotion of a buy-buy-buy mentality, where novelty trumps necessity and sustainability.
Did She RETURN It All? The Truth Behind Victoria Jade’s Themed Hauls.
After watching Victoria Jade purchase entire new sets of themed hygiene products week after week, one has to wonder: does she actually keep and use all of this, or are the items returned after filming for content? We see her check out, but there are rarely follow-up videos on how she liked the complete “routine.” If these products are being returned, it makes the hauls a performance of consumption rather than genuine product acquisition for personal use.
The DANGER of Promoting “Aesthetic Over Function” (Victoria Jade’s Message).
Victoria Jade’s themed hygiene shopping videos, where she often prioritizes products that “match” the aesthetic over ones she knows she likes or that might be more effective, send a potentially harmful message. It subtly teaches viewers that the visual appeal and curated “vibe” of their shower routine are more important than the actual functionality or suitability of the products for their skin. This prioritizes consumerism and appearances over genuine self-care and wise purchasing decisions.
The Disposable Towel Debacle & Sustainability
DISPOSABLE Face Towels?! This TikToker’s Routine is PEAK Wastefulness!
I was truly taken aback when one creator revealed she uses disposable “clean towels” to dry her face after every shower, citing concerns about acne and body towels. While hygiene is important, using single-use, disposable towels daily is the absolute epitome of wastefulness in a self-care routine. These towels are used once and then thrown in the trash, contributing significantly to landfill waste. This practice seems incredibly unnecessary and environmentally irresponsible.
Are Reusable Towels REALLY That Dirty? Debunking the Disposable Towel Trend.
The justification for disposable face towels often revolves around reusable towels being “dirty” or causing acne. However, if you use a fresh body towel for each shower, or pat your face dry first, this shouldn’t be an issue. There are also plenty of gentle, reusable face cloth options (like organic cotton or bamboo) that can be washed regularly. The idea that disposable is the only “clean” option is a myth often perpetuated to sell more single-use products.
The Environmental Impact of Your “Self-Care” (Those Disposable Towels!).
It’s easy to get caught up in self-care trends without considering their environmental impact. The daily use of disposable face towels, as seen in one TikTok routine, is a prime example. Each towel used once and discarded adds to landfill waste, consuming resources in its production and disposal. True self-care should ideally encompass care for our planet too, and this practice directly contradicts that by promoting unnecessary single-use consumption.
Sustainable Self-Care: Alternatives to TikTok’s Most Wasteful Trends.
For every wasteful TikTok hygiene trend, there’s a more sustainable alternative. Instead of disposable face towels, opt for a set of soft, reusable face cloths made from bamboo or organic cotton that you can launder. Instead of buying endless themed body washes, choose a refillable option or a versatile, gentle cleanser. Mindful purchasing, focusing on multi-use products, and considering environmental impact are all part of practicing truly sustainable self-care, far from the excessive trends online.
Financial Sense vs. TikTok Trends: Why Disposable Towels Don’t Add Up.
Beyond the environmental concerns, regularly purchasing disposable face towels simply doesn’t make financial sense for most people. The cumulative cost of these single-use items adds up significantly over time compared to investing in a set of good quality, reusable face cloths that can last for years with proper care. Falling for trends like disposable towels means continuously spending money on items designed to be thrown away, which is rarely an economical choice.
Broader Commentary & Influencer Responsibility
The Hidden Message: “You’re Not Clean Enough (Unless You Buy THIS!)”
Many influencer hygiene hauls, whether intentionally or not, send a subtle, underlying message: “You’re not truly clean or hygienic unless you use this array of products, follow this elaborate routine, or buy into this specific aesthetic.” This can create insecurity and pressure viewers, especially younger ones, to purchase items they don’t need, all in pursuit of an often unattainable or unnecessary standard of “cleanliness” defined by online trends.
Hygiene as a “Niche”: How Influencers Turned Basic Cleaning into a Production.
It’s fascinating how basic personal hygiene has evolved into a full-blown content “niche” for many online influencers. What used to be a private, simple routine has been transformed into an elaborate, multi-step production, often involving a vast number of specialized products. This shift turns everyday cleaning into a performance, fueling the need for constant new content and, consequently, the promotion of more and more items to keep the “show” going.
The “Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) and Your Shower Routine: Don’t Fall For It!
Influencers often tap into the powerful psychological trigger of FOMO – the Fear of Missing Out. By showcasing elaborate, “aesthetic” shower routines filled with trendy products, they can make viewers feel like they’re missing out on an essential experience or a better way to be clean and smell good. This encourages impulsive purchases driven by the desire to participate in the trend, rather than by genuine need or careful consideration.
Influencer Responsibility: The Harm of Promoting Overconsumption as “Self-Care.”
Influencers wield significant power, especially over younger audiences. When they promote routines involving excessive product use, frequent new purchases for fleeting themes, or wasteful items like disposable towels under the banner of “self-care,” they bear some responsibility. This can normalize overconsumption, create unrealistic expectations, and potentially harm viewers’ skin or finances. True self-care should be mindful and sustainable, not a race to accumulate the most products.
Marketing Trap: How Brands LOVE the “Scented Routine” Trend.
The trend of creating entire shower routines around a single scent (like Victoria Jade’s lavender or sugar cookie hauls) is a dream come true for brands. It encourages consumers to buy multiple products from the same line – body wash, scrub, lotion, mist – rather than just one item. This “scent layering” concept, heavily pushed by influencers, is an effective marketing trap that boosts sales by convincing people they need a whole matching set to achieve the desired fragrance experience.
Is Your Skin Barrier CRYING? The Dangers of Extreme Exfoliation Routines.
Many of the TikTok hygiene routines showcased involve multiple, often aggressive, exfoliation methods daily – dry brushing, African net sponges, exfoliating mitts. This level of constant exfoliation is a recipe for disaster for your skin barrier. It strips away natural oils, causes micro-tears, and leads to dryness, redness, sensitivity, and long-term damage. Your skin needs its protective barrier; these extreme routines are actively destroying it under the guise of achieving “cleanness.”
Smelling Good vs. Being Considerate: The Fragrance Sensitivity Issue.
While everyone wants to smell good, the influencer trend of layering multiple, strong-scented products can be problematic. Not everyone experiences fragrances the same way. For many people, including myself with migraines, strong scents can be a trigger. Others have allergies or respiratory issues. A considerate person would be mindful of this, opting for more subtle or fragrance-free options in public, rather than dousing themselves in a “beast mode” concoction that could negatively impact those around them.
The Power of Affiliate Links: Why Influencers REALLY Push So Many Products.
It’s important to remember the business side of influencing. Many creators, like the one with over a million followers linking everything to her Amazon storefront, earn commissions when viewers purchase products through their links. This financial incentive can be a strong motivator to showcase and recommend a vast number of items, regardless of whether they personally use them all or if they are truly necessary. Understanding this helps contextualize the constant promotion of new “must-have” products.
Let’s Be Honest: Most People Don’t Finish ONE Body Wash (Let Alone a Haul!).
The opening statement of the video rings true: most people don’t even finish one full-size body wash before buying another, let alone an entire haul multiple times a week. This reality starkly contrasts with the overflowing showers and constant new product acquisitions seen in influencer videos. It highlights the disconnect between typical consumer behavior and the performative consumption often displayed online, emphasizing the improbability of these large collections being fully utilized.
The Psychology of Collecting vs. Actual Hygiene Needs.
The elaborate hygiene routines and massive product stashes showcased by some influencers seem to blur the line between genuine hygiene needs and the psychological satisfaction of collecting. Is the goal to be clean, or is it to curate an aesthetically pleasing collection, achieve a sense of abundance, or participate in a trend? For many, it appears the act of acquiring and displaying products has become an end in itself, far removed from basic cleanliness.
Deconstructing the “Perfect” TikTok Hygiene Routine: What’s Real, What’s Not.
Let’s break down a typical “extreme” TikTok hygiene routine. Some steps, like using a gentle cleanser or moisturizing, are sensible. However, elements like daily aggressive exfoliation with multiple tools, double cleansing the body without specific need, excessive scent layering, or using disposable products are often unnecessary, wasteful, or even harmful. It’s crucial to critically evaluate these routines and separate sound advice from performative excess and marketing hype.
Hygiene on a Budget: You DON’T Need to Spend Hundreds!
The elaborate, multi-product routines promoted by some influencers can make it seem like good hygiene is expensive. This simply isn’t true. You can achieve excellent cleanliness and smell great on a budget. A good quality, gentle body wash, a basic moisturizer, and a deodorant are often all you need. You don’t have to buy into the idea that an arsenal of pricey, specialized, or themed products is necessary for effective personal care.
The NORMAL Person’s Guide to Smelling Good (Spoiler: It’s Not 10 Products!).
Forget the ten-step, multi-product influencer routines. For the average person, smelling good is much simpler. It involves regular bathing with a decent soap or body wash, using an effective deodorant, wearing clean clothes, and perhaps a light spritz of a pleasant, non-overpowering fragrance if you choose. You don’t need an entire “wardrobe” of matching scented lotions, oils, and mists. Simplicity, consistency, and basic cleanliness are key, not an excessive number of products.
When Did Basic Hygiene Become a Performance Art?
It’s striking how basic personal hygiene, once a private and relatively simple daily necessity, has been transformed into a public performance art on social media platforms like TikTok. Elaborate routines are meticulously filmed, product stashes are showcased like museum exhibits, and everyday acts of cleaning are presented as aspirational content. This shift raises questions about authenticity, the pressures of online presentation, and the commercialization of even the most fundamental aspects of self-care.
Key Takeaways & Solutions
4 TRUTHS TikTok Hygiene Gurus Won’t Tell You (My Key Takeaways).
After watching these extreme hygiene routines, here are four key truths to remember: 1. Double cleansing your body is usually unnecessary. 2. Matching all your product scents might be fun but isn’t essential for smelling good and can be overpowering. 3. Daily, aggressive exfoliation with multiple tools will damage your skin, not make it healthier. 4. Disposable towels are incredibly wasteful; sustainable alternatives exist. Don’t let online trends compromise common sense or your skin’s health.
Finding BALANCE: Self-Care Without the Overconsumption.
The goal of self-care shouldn’t be to accumulate the most products or follow the most elaborate routine seen on TikTok. True self-care involves finding a balance – using products you genuinely love and that work for your skin, while also being mindful of overconsumption, waste, and sustainability. It’s about feeling good and staying clean in a way that is healthy for you, your wallet, and the environment, not just chasing fleeting trends.
Less is MORE: Simplifying Your Hygiene Routine (And Saving Money!).
Often, a simpler hygiene routine is more effective, better for your skin, and kinder to your wallet. You don’t need a different body wash for every mood or multiple exfoliation methods daily. A gentle cleanser, a good moisturizer, and consistent basic care will get the job done. By embracing a “less is more” philosophy, you can avoid skin irritation, reduce waste, and save a significant amount of money compared to constantly buying into complex, product-heavy trends.
Think Before You Buy: Resisting the TikTok Hygiene Hype.
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of TikTok hygiene trends and feel pressured to buy the latest “must-have” products. Before you click “add to cart,” take a moment to think. Do you actually need this product? Will you realistically use it before it expires? Is it significantly different from something you already own? Being a critical consumer and resisting impulsive purchases driven by online hype is key to avoiding overconsumption and buyer’s remorse.
Building a Community of MINDFUL Consumers (Let’s Talk About It!).
This isn’t just about critiquing trends; it’s about fostering a community of mindful consumers. Let’s talk about our experiences, share sensible tips, and support each other in making more conscious choices about the beauty and hygiene products we buy and use. By discussing these issues openly, we can collectively push back against harmful overconsumption, promote sustainability, and redefine what true self-care means, away from the pressures of social media hype. Your insights are valuable!
More Specific Reactions/Deep Dives
The “Dry Brushing Daily” Myth: What Dermatologists ACTUALLY Recommend.
The advice to dry brush daily, as seen in one TikTok, often goes against dermatological recommendations. While dry brushing can offer benefits like exfoliation and improved circulation, daily use is typically too frequent for most skin types and can lead to irritation, dryness, and micro-tears. Dermatologists usually suggest starting slowly, perhaps one to two times a week for sensitive skin, and maybe three to four times for normal/oily skin if well-tolerated, always listening to your skin’s response.
Unpacking “Saponification”: Why Your Shower Gel IS Cleaning You.
One creator claimed shower gel isn’t “real soap” and doesn’t clean effectively. This misunderstands the science. Traditional bar soap is made via “saponification” (fats + alkali). Shower gels are usually synthetic detergents with “surfactants.” These surfactants are specifically designed to lift oil, dirt, and bacteria from your skin, making them effective cleansers. While chemically different from traditional soap, they absolutely get you clean, often more gently. The claim otherwise is simply misinformation.
The “Clean Girl Aesthetic” Gets EXTREME: A Hygiene Trend Analysis.
The elaborate, multi-product hygiene routines seen on TikTok can be viewed as an extreme extension of the “clean girl aesthetic.” This aesthetic often emphasizes a polished, seemingly effortless, and meticulously curated appearance. However, when applied to hygiene, it can translate into an obsession with excessive cleansing, an arsenal of products, and an unrealistic standard of “purity” that goes beyond basic cleanliness into performative, often wasteful, consumption patterns.
Analyzing Influencer Language: How They CONVINCE You to Buy More.
Influencers use persuasive language to encourage purchases. Phrases like “you NEED this,” “game-changer,” or creating a sense of urgency (“it sells out fast!”) tap into consumer desires. Showing off vast collections implies that quantity equals quality or status. The “vanilla swirls” creator’s authoritative tone (“someone had to tell you”) positions her as an expert whose advice (to buy more) should be followed. Understanding these tactics helps viewers critically assess the messages they receive.
The Cost of Smelling Like Vanilla: A Breakdown of ONE Influencer’s Haul.
Imagine the sheer cost of the “vanilla swirls” creator’s shower, packed wall-to-wall with vanilla-scented products. If each body wash, scrub, lotion, and mist averages even ten to fifteen dollars, and there are dozens, if not hundreds, of items, the total investment easily runs into many hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars. This highlights the significant financial commitment behind maintaining such an extensive, single-scent-themed collection, a cost rarely feasible or sensible for the average consumer.
Ethical Consumption in the Age of Influencers: A Hygiene Case Study.
The extreme hygiene routines promoted by some TikTok influencers serve as a compelling case study for discussing ethical consumption. Is it ethical to encourage the purchase of products that are likely to expire unused? What is the environmental impact of the packaging and waste generated? Influencers have a platform; their promotion of overconsumption, even under the guise of self-care, raises important questions about their responsibility and the broader implications for consumer behavior and sustainability.
Can Your Skin REALLY Tolerate This Much Exfoliation? A Reality Check.
Many TikTok hygiene routines feature multiple exfoliation methods used frequently, sometimes daily – dry brushing, African net sponges, exfoliating mitts, scrubs. Let’s have a reality check: most people’s skin simply cannot tolerate this level of aggressive, constant exfoliation. It will inevitably lead to a damaged skin barrier, characterized by redness, dryness, sensitivity, and increased vulnerability. Healthy skin requires gentle care, not a daily assault with abrasive tools and products.
The “Gatekeeping” of… Coconut Oil? Reacting to a TikToker’s “Secret”.
It was quite amusing to see the first TikToker act as if she was reluctantly sharing a “gatekept” secret when she revealed her use of Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Oil – a widely available and well-known product that costs about seven dollars. This attempt to create an air of exclusivity around a common item is a classic influencer tactic to make their recommendations seem more special or coveted. In reality, it’s just a readily accessible drugstore product.
Is “Beast Mode” Scent Layering Actually Appealing (Or Just Too Much?).
The first TikToker mentioned going “beast mode” with scent layering to ensure her fragrance lasts and is noticeable. While smelling good is a common goal, the idea of “beast mode” fragrance – drenching oneself in multiple, strong layers of the same scent – raises questions. Is this truly appealing, or does it risk becoming overwhelmingly strong and potentially offensive or irritating to others, especially those with fragrance sensitivities? There’s a fine line between pleasantly scented and a walking perfume cloud.
The “Hygiene Shopping for X Scent” Format: Why It’s So Effective (And Problematic).
Victoria Jade’s content format of “Hygiene Shopping for an [X] Scented Routine” is effective because it’s visually appealing, taps into the desire for curated experiences, and offers a clear, themed shopping guide. However, it’s problematic because it inherently promotes buying entire new sets of products based on a fleeting theme or scent, encouraging overconsumption and waste. It normalizes frequent, large-scale purchases for something as basic as daily hygiene, prioritizing aesthetics over need or sustainability.
How TikTok Normalizes Over-the-Top Routines.
Social media platforms like TikTok play a significant role in normalizing over-the-top hygiene routines. The algorithm often favors visually engaging, aspirational, or even shocking content. When viewers repeatedly see elaborate, multi-product routines presented as the norm or as desirable “self-care,” it can shift their perception of what constitutes adequate or even “good” hygiene, leading them to adopt more excessive and often unnecessary practices themselves.
The “Self-Tanner Removal” Mitt: A Valid Tool or Another Exfoliation Step?
The first TikToker mentioned using an exfoliating mitt “once a week” to remove self-tanner, which is a valid use for such a tool. However, in the context of her daily routine which already included dry brushing and an African net sponge (both exfoliants), this “weekly” mitt use still contributes to an overall picture of frequent, potentially excessive exfoliation. While the mitt itself has a legitimate purpose, its inclusion needs to be considered within her entire skin-scrubbing regimen.
Fragrance-Free Policies vs. Influencer Perfume Obsessions: A Clash of Worlds.
It’s a stark contrast: many public spaces like workplaces and hospitals are increasingly adopting fragrance-free or scent-reduction policies out of consideration for people with sensitivities, allergies, or respiratory issues. Meanwhile, online, some influencers are promoting “beast mode” scent layering and an obsession with dousing oneself in multiple perfumed products. This highlights a disconnect between real-world considerations for communal health and online trends that prioritize intense personal fragrance without regard for others.
The Journey of a Subscriber’s Request: How This Video Came to Be (Thanks, Karina!).
This entire video deep-dive into extreme hygiene routines was inspired by a request from one of my amazing subscribers, Karina! She sent me the videos we’re looking at today and suggested this topic. I hadn’t even encountered this type of content on my For You Page before, so a huge thank you to Karina for bringing it to my attention. If you guys ever see trends or topics you’d like me to explore, please reach out!
My Personal Hygiene Philosophy (And Why It DOESN’T Look Like TikTok).
After watching these extreme TikTok routines, I want to share my personal hygiene philosophy, which is far simpler. For me, it’s about effective, gentle cleansing with products I enjoy but don’t hoard, focusing on skin health rather than stripping it, and being mindful of fragrance. A basic body wash, moisturizer, and deodorant do the trick. My shower definitely doesn’t look like a mini Sephora, and I believe less is often more when it comes to truly caring for your skin.
The Line Between Enjoying Products and Compulsive Buying (A Hygiene Perspective).
There’s a fine line between genuinely enjoying trying new hygiene products as part of self-care and developing a habit of compulsive buying driven by trends or the desire for a collection. The massive stashes seen in some TikToks seem to cross this line. When the focus shifts from using products to merely acquiring and displaying them, especially in quantities impossible to use before expiration, it may indicate a pattern closer to compulsive consumption than healthy enjoyment.
If You ONLY Watch One Part of This Video, Make It THIS (Key Warning!).
If you take away only one thing from my reaction to these extreme hygiene routines, let it be this: be incredibly wary of daily, aggressive exfoliation. Practices like daily dry brushing combined with exfoliating sponges or mitts, as seen in some TikToks, are highly likely to damage your skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. Your skin needs gentle care, not a daily scrubbing assault. Please prioritize your skin’s health over chasing a “squeaky clean” feeling.
The Unseen Cost: Landfill Impact of Expired Hygiene Products.
Beyond the financial waste of buying excessive hygiene products, there’s a significant unseen environmental cost: the landfill impact of unused and expired items. All those plastic bottles, tubs, and tubes, often still containing product, end up contributing to pollution. When vast collections of body washes, lotions, and scrubs inevitably expire before they can be used, they become part of a larger problem of consumer waste, an issue often overlooked in the pursuit of online aesthetics.
What Your Dermatologist WISHES You Knew About TikTok Hygiene Trends.
If your dermatologist could speak directly to those following extreme TikTok hygiene trends, they’d likely emphasize a few key points: Over-exfoliation is damaging, not beneficial. “Squeaky clean” is a sign of a stripped skin barrier. Shower gels do clean your skin effectively. And multiple daily showers with harsh products can lead to severe dryness and irritation. They would advocate for gentle, consistent care tailored to your skin type, not an arsenal of trendy, potentially harmful products.
Rethinking “Clean”: Does More Product REALLY Mean More Hygienic?
A core assumption behind many extreme hygiene routines is that using more products, cleansing more frequently, or exfoliating more aggressively equates to being more hygienic or “cleaner.” This is a fundamental misunderstanding. True hygiene is about effectively removing dirt, bacteria, and sweat without compromising your skin’s natural protective barrier. Often, a simpler routine with fewer, well-chosen products is far more beneficial and genuinely “cleaner” for your skin’s overall health than an onslaught of unnecessary items.