Is Dettol Antiseptic, TikTok's New Obsession, Safe For Your Skin?

Source: Courtesy of Brand / Courtesy of Brand

Gatekeeping may be a thing of the past, especially in the beauty world. If you’ve been MIA, TikTok’s #beautytok has declared Dettol antiseptic the new must-have beauty product.

If you’re Jamaican like me—or have an African or Caribbean background—you know that Dettol is a household staple. I mean, are you really clean if you didn’t use Dettol? Like many, I have fond memories of my late father putting a 1/2 cap in my bath water and stocking our bathroom shelves with the bar soap alternative. He also used Dettol in his cleaning regimen—from laundry to floor cleaning—a tradition my siblings and I follow today. However, TikTok users have jumped on the bandwagon due to Dettol’s glowing reviews.

Beauty mavens are incorporating Dettol into their skincare routines in the quest for clear, healthy skin. Folks dilute the antiseptic by mixing a 1/2 cap of Dettol with one bottle of water to create a DIY toner. Post-application, TikTok users apply vitamin E oil and their choice of facial moisturizer.

Judging by some results, it’s easy to think that the Dettol antiseptic may be the missing product in your routine. However, applying an antiseptic on your skin is never wise without consulting your dermatologist or esthetician. Essence Moore, esthetician and owner of Charlotte’s Lineage Skin Studio, believes that folks should think twice before making a permanent switch.

“While diluted Dettol can be safe to use occasionally, I do not recommend it as a daily cleanser for acne concerns,” Essence shares. “Overexposure to the main ingredient, chloroxylenol, can cause irritation and pose as a toxin in drinking water. There are several other great ingredients for disinfecting the skin. If someone wants to incorporate a medical-grade disinfectant, I recommend using Hibiclens.”

Not to mention, due to Dettol’s antiseptic potency, applying the liquid once or regularly can wreak havoc on various skin types, especially sensitive skin.

To Essence’s point, various products on the market — many Black-owned creations, of course — work wonders to address your skincare issues. Dettol may be the new kid on the skincare block for TikTok users, but I prefer using it like my father taught me.

Are you #TeamDettolForSkincare? Do you prefer to use it for baths and cleaning? Let’s chat in the comment section below!

DON’T MISS:

8 Black Influencers To Follow On TikTok

Ayesha Curry Launched Her First-Ever Skincare Line ‘Sweet July Skin’

Dettol Is TikTok’s New Must-Have Beauty Product, But Is It Safe For Your Skin?  was originally published on ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc