A skincare expert has shared the three things she would never do to her own skin. Dr Sophie Shotter, resident skincare expert at Absolute Collagen, has taken to TikTok to share what to avoid when it comes to looking after your skin.

The warning comes as Absolute Collagen spotted searches for ‘can toothpaste help spots’ rising by 100% over the three months. One of the doctor’s top tips includes staying clear of the common household spot treatment – toothpaste.

Dr Shotter warns that treating a spot or acne with toothpaste could actually cause irritation and perioral dermatitis, where redness and small bumps appear on the skin, resulting in an itching or burning sensation. For those who may be struggling with spots or have acne-prone skin, Dr Shotter has shared her advice on what she would recommend instead.

She said: “I would really recommend paring back your skin routine – many skins just don’t need heavy moisturisers. Take a break from the heavy-duty moisturisers and see if congestion improves.

“Use a simple skin routine of a gentle cleanser, some gentle exfoliating PHA acids, and a lightweight hydrator like Hyaluronic Acid. And of course, to finish off, a sunscreen with broad spectrum UVA coverage and an SPF of at least 50 to apply daily.”

@absolutecollagen Don’t believe everything you read… Putting toothpaste on spots, at home dermaplaning or treatments can have a really negative affect on the skin and cause irritation. It really isn’t worth it! @Dr Sophie Shotter#skinhacks#skinsecrets#skinexpert#skinexpertadvice#drsophieshotter#skintreatments No No No.. Exactly – whoisfrancisco

The doctor added: “Focus on skin health from the inside out with supplements, they help to nourish the skin from within, working synergistically with topical ingredients on the outside.

“For example, taking collagen as a great long-term investment in your skin health, it helps to rebalance skin internally, keeping fibroblast cells activated and supports the body’s healing process where needed.”