(Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, 30 September 2026) Almost 95% of viral Korean skincare and ‘glass skin’ TikTok videos contained at least one potentially misleading claim, while basic safety information was largely absent,
according to new research presented today at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2026.
Korean skincare and the pursuit of ‘glass skin’ – a popular term for clear, smooth and deeply hydrated skin – have become global social media phenomena, particularly on TikTok, where routines can reach millions of users. However, the dermatological accuracy and safety of this content have not been extensively evaluated.
In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers analysed videos related to popular Korean skincare and ‘glass skin’ routines in May 2026. Using a neutral account with no prior engagement history to minimise algorithmic bias, the
researchers screened the top videos across five Korean skincare-related search terms. After exclusions, 38 videos were assessed for dermatological claims, safety information, quality and reliability using the Global Quality Scale and modified DISCERN.