Photo: Daniel Farò/ Death To Stock Gen Zs have found a new ally in their quest for clearer skin. Rather than waiting for dermatology appointments or combing through beauty sites and TikTok videos, they are turning to artificial intelligence for personalised skincare advice tailored to their specific skin type, concern and budget.
“Teach me how to get rid of acne as if you were Dr Sandra Lee, aka Dr Pimple Popper,” asks one user to ChatGPT in a video posted to TikTok, which has over 100,000 views. Within seconds the large language model (LLM) responds: develop a consistent skincare routine, avoid touching your face, use non-comedogenic products, consider over-the-counter acne products such as retinol, and watch your lifestyle and diet.
In another video, a creator shares their new skincare routine , recommended by ChatGPT after they uploaded a photo of their face and outlined their main skin concerns. It includes Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Thayers Witch Hazel Toner and La Roche-Posay SPF 60 sunscreen, which dermatologist Dr Katie Beleznay stitched on TikTok to review. “Not bad, I give it a seven out of 10,” she said.
These are just two of the 3,000 videos (and counting) that have appeared on TikTok to showcase the use of ChatGPT as a dermatologist. “I’ve certainly noticed more patients mentioning AI to me recently, and generally they are asking me to review what has been recommended to them,” Beleznay says. To her, it isn’t that different from the past when people would get recommendations from beauty and lifestyle magazines — in fact, AI offers advantages for personalisation that were lacking in traditional media. “I believe AI can be helpful alongside dermatologists to help patients with general education, especially for patients with limited access to a dermatologist.”
She adds a note of caution, however: “It is not a substitute for medical advice and anyone with potential medical concerns related to their skin health should see an appropriate health care professional.”
The rise of ChatGPT as a trusted skincare resource highlights a broader trend: Gen Z’s shift towards AI-driven guidance. For years, brands have relied on platforms like TikTok and […]
Gen Z is using ChatGPT as a dermatologist. What does it mean for brands?
