Dermatologist-Approved Secrets: Stop These Skincare Mistakes Before They Ruin Your Skin!

In a time when social media filters and trending skincare reels dictate beauty standards, it’s become increasingly difficult to distinguish between real dermatological advice and viral myths. That’s why this episode of The Diffr Show is one of our most important conversations yet.

We had the immense pleasure of hosting Dr. Atul Kathed, one of India’s most respected and experienced dermatologists. With over 27 years of clinical experience in treating skin diseases, cosmetic dermatology, and aesthetic medicine, Dr. Atul offered deep, practical, and brutally honest insights about how our relationship with skincare has evolved and in many ways, gone wrong.

From the dangers of viral skincare hacks to the underrated importance of sleep, sugar control, and emotional wellness, this conversation is essential listening for anyone who wants lasting, healthy skin in today’s fast-paced, social media-driven world.

How Dermatology in India Shifted from Disease Management to Beauty- Centric Treatments

Dr. Atul began by painting a vivid picture of how dermatology in India looked in the mid-90s. At that time, the profession primarily focused on treating life-threatening conditions like eczema, psoriasis, sexually transmitted skin diseases, leprosy, and HIV-related skin complications.

As India’s economy opened up, and disposable incomes increased, cosmetic dermatology quietly took root. By the early 2000s, treatments like Botox, fillers, and laser skin therapies became available, and what followed was a dramatic shift in public expectation. From survival and disease management, the focus moved towards beauty, youth preservation, and aesthetic procedures.

The social media boom between 2015 and 2020 further accelerated this trend. Dr. Atul explained how platforms like Instagram and YouTube created an ecosystem of DIY skincare influencers and viral product endorsements, some of which reintroduced ingredients that modern dermatology had already phased out decades ago.

Why DIY Skincare Trends Are Harming More Than Helping

In the podcast’s most striking moments, Dr. Atul revealed how ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, once considered secondary agents in dermatology, made a comeback via social media, often promoted without context or proper guidance.

He explained how these ingredients were once a minor part of skin treatment protocols but have been aggressively marketed by influencers and cosmetic brands. Today’s consumers often overuse them, risking skin barrier damage, chronic inflammation, and hormonal disruptions without realizing the long-term consequences.

Dr. Atul emphasized the importance of distinguishing between prescribed skincare and recommended skincare from non-experts online, underlining how reckless product layering and ingredient mixing without understanding skin physiology can lead to more damage than benefit.

The Invisible Threat: How Sugar and Processed Foods Ruin Your Skin

A lesser-known but critical topic discussed in the podcast was the direct connection between diet, chronic inflammation, and skin health. Dr. Atul detailed how our increased consumption of sugar, refined carbohydrates, and preservatives causes frequent insulin spikes, triggering chronic low-grade inflammation in the body.

This silent inflammation, as he termed it, is one of the biggest culprits behind modern skin problems:
Rapid skin aging

• Acne outbreaks
• Hair thinning
• Pigmentation
• Hormonal imbalances

This problem isn’t restricted to appearance alone. The same inflammatory processes contribute to lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart ailments, and metabolic syndrome, all of which leave their signatures on your skin.