Viktoria Rusinak took to TikTok to explain she damaged her skin after over using tretinoin, a medication usually used for the treatment of acne.
This left her skin worse for wear and in need of some major TLC.
But the skincare fan didn’t want to fork out on more pricey products to fix her face, so decided to use something a bit different instead.
“POV you overused tretinoin so you heal your damaged skin barrier with diaper cream,” she said in the viral clip.
In the video she showed her bare face before applying a thick layer of the nappy cream all over her face.
“Woke up with the softest skin,” she noted in the caption.
Even if your skin barrier isn’t damaged, the cheap cream could be the answer to baby smooth skin.
Unlike a lot of popular skin products, you can buy nappy cream for as little as £1.30 from shops like Sainsbury’s.
What is your skin barrier?
There are different layers to your skin and each one has a different function
But it’s the outermost layer, called the stratum corneum, that is your skin barrier.
the pros at Healthline explained: “Without [your skin barrier] various harmful environmental toxins and pathogens could penetrate your skin and cause adverse effects inside your body.”
“Your skin barrier is essential for your overall health and needs to be protected to help your body function properly,” they added.
If your skin barrier is damaged your skin might look dull and look dry, this is because it looses the ability keep all the good stuff your skin needs in, which can in turn lead to your skin becoming vulnerable and making it harder to repair signs of ageing.
Can nappy cream really help?
It might seem too good to be true, but according to Chartered Chemist and founder of SOS Serum Skincare, Bruce Green it’s totally true.
“While it may seem strange to be applying nappy rash cream to your face, it is true that it can soothe the skin – after all, it is formulated for super delicate baby skin, so it’s a proven gentle approach to even the most sensitive of skin,” he said.
Apparently, it’s all because of the gentle formula and phenoxyethanol, “which is a widely-used preservative that can cause skin irritation for those with more sensitive skin types.”
Although nappy cream is designed to stop nappy rash and skin irritation, there are some “bonus properties” which do include “skin barrier repair/protection, and providing moisture to the skin,” the pro explained.
“He continued: “The best advice that I can give is to be very cautious of the products and ingredients you’re using, as well as how much you’re using.
“Prevention is the most effective method. With powerful products such as tretinoin, a little goes a long way, and it also means you’re more likely to avoid a damaged skin barrier by using it in small doses.
“Also, avoid using conflicting ingredients all at once, such as beta-hydroxy acid Salicylic Acid and Retinol – you may have to wait a few days before using the other ingredient if your skin is sensitive.”
Of course, you should always consult a professional if you’re having major problems with your skin and want help.