Teens who follow a TikTok trend of using calamine lotion as makeup could be at risk of severe reactions and skin damage, experts warn.
The drug, available in pharmacies for just £1.60 a bottle, is used to relieve pain and itching caused by minor skin conditions such as sunburn, insect bites and stings.
It is especially helpful for oozing skin conditions where the skin oozes, and is often recommended for children suffering from chickenpox.
But a so-called “beauty hack” on TikTok encourages viewers to apply a layer of calamine lotion over large parts of the face, or even the entire face, before applying foundation and other makeup to it.
Aimed at people with oily skin, it will, as one TikTok star claims, “create a barrier between your skin and the foundation you apply to prevent the oils from dissolving the foundation.” The face looks “flawless” and “pores are minimized,” say others.
Thousands of videos follow similar topics on the platform. In a clip that has had more than 7.3 million views, TikTok user @BrittanyBowman applies the lotion all over her face with a makeup brush.
The caption reads, “I heard calamine lotion gets rid of acne scars and dark spots.” In another, with more than 700,000 views, she applies her foundation over the calamine layer and claims, “It will dry out your current pimples but won’t prevent future acne.”
The TikTok creator is seen applying calamine lotion to her face before applying foundation and other makeup
The hashtag #calamine has been used more than 2.3 million times on TikTok alone, while the trend has sparked a surge in demand – and a nationwide shortage for the lotion, pharmacists have claimed.
Earlier this month, Well Pharmacies, which have more than 750 stores across the country, issued an alert after their stores went out.
Well Pharmacy chief pharmacist Ifti Khan said: “Part of this is due to a recent uptick in chickenpox, but there is also a trend on social media endorsing calamine lotion for cosmetic purposes.
Calamine lotion treats a wide range of skin conditions that cause itching, including chickenpox, insect bites, stings, measles, and sunburn. But it should only be used by those who need it and to treat diseases.”
Two suppliers, Thornton & Ross and Alliance Healthcare, have reportedly been out of stock for months.
Abell Chemist in London Road, Bushey is a community pharmacy affected by the shortage.
His spokesman said: “Calamine lotion is not available at all and has not been for a long time. There is very little else we have to offer for chickenpox.’
The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed it was aware of “intermittent supply issues” and said further deliveries were expected in early September.
Doctors fear the insanity could cause permanent skin damage. The main active ingredient in the lotion is zinc oxide, a mild antiseptic that gives it the white color. It also contains phenol, a preservative with mild anesthetic properties that is banned for use in cosmetics.
The lotion’s history is unclear – it dates back to a German alchemist in the 16th century or a Greek physician in the 1st century AD.
The consulting dermatologist Dr. Alia Ahmed of Frimley and Barts Health NHS Trusts explained that it can cause skin damage with long-term use.
“The lotion wicks moisture from the skin and can also act as a keratolytic, which means it can exfoliate the skin. This is helpful in treating wet, itchy rashes, but leaving calamine lotion on areas like the face, under, or as makeup for long periods of time can cause excessive skin dryness, which manifests as scaly or scaly patches with redness .
“Excessive exfoliation leads to issues like rashes and sensitivity, and can ultimately damage the skin’s barrier.”
The calamine lotion trend follows other social media-driven makeup advice to similarly use laxative liquid milk of magnesia as a cheap makeup base.
Women’s magazine Marie Claire endorsed the practice, claiming “it’s really great for oily skin as it soaks up excess oil, controls shine and tightens pores” – and said reality star Kylie Jenner used it to “underneath hot lights” to remain glare-free. .
Earlier this month, Well Pharmacies, with more than 750 stores across the country, issued an alert after their stores ran out of calamine lotion (stock image).
Milk of Magnesia contains magnesium hydroxide – a chalky substance that absorbs moisture, hence its cosmetic effect when applied to the skin – and also small amounts of sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as a bleaching agent. While it is harmless as a medicine in small amounts, it can also cause damage and lead to infection when applied to the skin.
One YouTube beauty star, Youkeyy, revealed that she used milk of magnesia on her face almost every day for five years, with disastrous results.
“I’ve always had oily skin, so when the whole magnesia-milk thing came up, I thought, ‘this is what I need.’ The makeup will finally stay in place,” she said.
But over time, her skin became “terribly” dry and she began to suffer from acne. She stopped using milk of magnesia but the problems persist.
She says, “My skin never used to be like this.”
dr Ahmed says: “There seems to be a general trend on social media to try things as cosmetics that are not intended for that purpose, be it milk of magnesia, calamine lotion or anything else.
“That should be avoided. The damage may not be immediate, but it can become quite uncomfortable over time. It might make you look good in the short term, but it’s just not worth the risk.”