I’ve been obsessed with skincare and makeup since…forever. My career as a beauty editor only amplified that—decoding ingredients, interviewing dermatologists, testing every “glowing skin in a bottle” promise, and experimenting with makeup trends. I have a WhatsApp group full of friends who send me selfies captioned “fix this” and doctors I can text at midnight with a picture of a sudden chin breakout. I live for this stuff.
But not everyone has that outlet—or at least not in the same way. They go to Reddit, where the real reviews happen and game-changing tips are born from shared experience. These aren’t about overhauling your entire existence, but rather, they’re those “aha!” moments, the little tweaks and smart additions that make you wonder: “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Here are some of the fun new things I learned.
An interdental brush should be in your makeup kit
Mascara clumps? The worst. But Reddit has a hack that actually works. A user shared how they use an interdental brush (basically, a soft pick you use between your teeth) to separate their lashes after applying mascara. They swore by the silicone-coated tips because the mascara doesn’t stick to them like it would with a traditional spoolie. I tried it out with my mascara, and it instantly made my lashes look much more defined and less clumpy. I didn’t even need a lash comb!
Benzoyl peroxide should be in your first-aid kit
We all know benzoyl peroxide as that trusty acne-fighter, but Reddit has unearthed a brilliant alternative use: as a speedy SOS for mosquito bites. A dab of 10 per cent benzoyl peroxide cream on a fresh bite is said to calm that infuriating itch and reduce redness ASAP.
Try a new foundation application method
We’ve all heard the “pat and blend” routine for foundation, but a Redditor shared a method that completely changed my approach. Instead of starting from the outside, apply your foundation from the inside out—cheeks to chin—and in the direction of your facial hair. This trick gives you a smoother, pore-free finish. I also tried their tip of pounding loose setting powder in with a stiff kabuki brush. Sounds counterintuitive, but it’s magic! No cakey foundation and no visible pores. I’m sold.
Eyeshadow primer needs to be a must-have, not a good-to-have
We’ve all experienced the frustration of makeup sliding off in the summer heat or those annoying smudge indentations left by sunglasses on the bridge of your nose. One Redditor suggested using a sticky eyeshadow primer, like the NYX Glitter Glue, on the nose as a base before applying foundation. The tacky formula creates a strong grip for your makeup, keeping it in place even when you’re sweating. I tried it out, and it worked like a charm. It’s especially helpful for areas like the nose and chin, which tend to get oily and make makeup fade faster.
Sunscreen ≠ sunscreen (and most of us didn’t know)
The sub r/indianskincareaddicts really opened my eyes to the gaping hole that is sunscreen regulation in India. One Redditor broke it down: In India, sunscreens are either classified as cosmetics or as medicated products. Brands like Dot & Key or Minimalist? Cosmetic. Suncote by Torrent Pharma or Photostable by Sun Pharma? Medicated. The latter are often subject to in vivo testing—on actual human skin—while cosmetic sunscreens usually rely on in vitro (lab-only) data and third-party SPF reports.
I reached out to Dr Kiran Sethi, founder of Isyaderm in Delhi, who explained: “In vitro tests are done in dishes; they’re theoretical. In vivo is when you test on real people under real conditions—this is how you actually know if a sunscreen works.” She added that patients who tan through certain sunscreens often stop when switched to rigorously regulated European formulas. While she couldn’t confirm which Indian sunscreens are actually tested in vivo, she emphasised that knowing about testing—what kind, how much, and where it’s done—is crucial when deciding what to use on your skin. TL;DR: Not all SPF 50s are created equal.
There’s place for kindness (and realism) on the internet
Someone posted a pic of their face and asked, “Am I cooked?”—referring to their stubborn sebaceous filaments. The response? “Bro, skin has holes. It’s not polished steel.” There’s something uniquely tender about the way people on Reddit respond to each other. “You look fine.” “Ur skin will heal dw.” “It’s normal.” Amid the noise of 10-step routines and retinol ramp-up schedules, conversations like this often remind you that it’s okay to just…exist.
