Can the minimalist ‘caveman method’ save your skin — or destroy it? Docs weigh in on viral trend

The latest skincare trend sweeping social media is a bit… primitive.

The “caveman method” has gone viral after TikTokker Tia Zakher revealed she’s spent more than six weeks not using any products — including water — on her face in a bid to let her skin barrier “rebuild” itself naturally.

But so far, her results have hardly been a selling point for other women, and several experts have warned of some serious downsides.

Grime and punishment

The “caveman method” is as minimal as it gets. No cleanser. No moisturizer. Not even a splash of water.

The idea is that going back to basics — to ancient times when people didn’t have 10-step nightly skincare routines — can “reset” your skin and return it to its healthiest, most natural state.

“For years, I picked and overexfoliated and damaged my skin really badly,” Zakher (@tiazakher) said in a recent video. “My skin is basically just shedding all the damage and attempting to re-regulate itself.”

Multiple videos on her page show shin that appears rough, flaky and discolored, horrifying some viewers. But Tia has repeatedly insisted that this is just part of the process — and eventually, the dead skin will all flake off, leaving fresh, healthy skin behind.

But before you toss your retinol and jump on this bare-bones bandwagon, you might want to think twice. 

“As a board-certified dermatologist, I can tell you that what you’re seeing is not normal,” Dr. Jeaneen Chappell said in a TikTok. “It is a myth to think that your skin will thrive in a state of neglect.”

She’s not the only skeptical skincare expert.

“Skincare does not have to be a complicated ten-step process, however, washing your face daily is recommended to remove oil, sweat and pollutant buildup,” Dr. Jennifer Shastry, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medical Group, told The Post. 

“The ‘caveman’ routine is most likely contributing to her scaly appearance as the normal skin cell turnover that occurs with gentle washing is not happening,” she said.

Neanderthal, meet anti-fungals

TikTok users, both concerned and enraged, have flooded the comments on Zakher’s videos, urging her to see a dermatologist — or at the very least, wash her face.

“As a nurse, I’m concerned,” TikToker Antoinette (@msrazzledazzle) said in a video.

She speculated that Zakher could be suffering from dermatitis neglecta — a skin condition caused by poor hygiene that results in a buildup of dirt, sweat, and dead skin, forming crusty patches.

“That usually happens to a lot of people who are homeless or unhoused because they’re not able to wash their face,” Antoinette said. “I would not be surprised if there was also a fungal infection under there.”

Caveman or con job?

But not everyone’s buying the “Caveman method” explanation.

Chappell suggested that Zakher’s rough, peeling skin might actually be the aftermath of a Fraxel laser treatment, which can sometimes leave behind a sandpaper-like texture as it heals.

Others on TikTok think the whole thing’s a stunt, accusing Zakher of faking it with a mix of clay mask and powder for views.

“It’s bentonite clay or a mud mask with powder over it,” one user commented.

Without examining her face, Shastry said it’s tough to make a definitive diagnosis.

However, she did noted that the buildup of sebum — the oily substance our skin naturally produces to protect and hydrate itself — could increase the risk of seborrheic dermatitis, a condition where yeast causes flaking and itching.

Another possibility is ichthyosis vulgaris, an inherited condition where the skin barrier doesn’t function properly, leading to scaly skin.

Keeping it clean

Regardless of what is actually happening to Zakher’s face, one thing’s clear: Her videos are sparking a major conversation about skincare online.

“She’s not healing her barrier,” Antoinette said. “She’s covering it and suffocating it.”

So, what should you be doing?

Shastry recommends keeping it simple: wash your face with a gentle cleanser, hydrate with a fragrance-free moisturizer, and wear sunscreen every day to prevent UV-related skin-aging and cancer.

“Even humans in ancient times would wash their bodies and skin with water with some frequency,” she said. “Washing is an important part of hygiene.”

If your skin looks anything like Zakher’s, Shastry recommends you see a dermatologist ASAP.

After all the backlash, Zakher has now said she’ll start incorporating water back into her routine. But some are skeptical, wondering if it’s too little, too late.

“We’re past water,” Antoinette quipped in an updated response video. “We’re definitely at the stage of a washcloth, some cleanser and a prayer.”