A TikToker’s so-called “caveman skincare routine”—which involves not washing her face for months—has kicked off conversations about natural beauty, misinformation, and ragebait.

Tia Zakher (@tiazakher) claims the visible flakes and discoloration on her face are part of a healing process as her skin”rebuilds its barrier” without any interference. But dermatologists and estheticians are warning that this approach could instead lead to serious skin issues, or worse, are accusing her of staging a stunt.

In one of her viral clips, Zakher explained, “What you’re seeing is dead skin that’s gonna flake off eventually while new healthy skin forms underneath.” She claimed her skin is in a transitional healing phase as it rebuilds its natural barrier after years of over-exfoliation.

Notably, Zakher says she avoids all skincare products, which includes water. “I’m just letting my barrier rebuild itself naturally,” she said. Her goal, she said, is to train her skin to shed on its own without external help. In an April 23, 2025, TikTok video, she referenced retention hyperkeratosis, a condition where dead skin cells build instead of shedding, as part of her skin’s healing.

In another video, viewed over 2.8 million times since it was posted two days ago on April 28, she responded to a comment asking “what’s on your face?” with a lengthy text caption over a video. The text reads, “Dead skin cells piling up because my skin’s shedding cycle was disrupted for a long time from years of overpicking and removing texture manually. My skin used to rely on picking to “exfoliate.” When I stopped, my skin had to learn how to shed on its own. All the dead cells that should have shed naturally over time have built up temporarily. The thick, flaky look, is a normal part of resetting my barrier.”