With not much else to do while stuck at home during the pandemic, many young Britons upped their usage of TikTok, seeking entertainment, escapism, and education. Canvas8 spoke to eight Gen Zers to find out how the social app has influenced their personal care routines.

The social media era has made it easy to discover skincare products, yet while influencers and media outlets champion various high-priced and hard-to-find items, a growing number of TikTok users are turning to their local drugstore. Why are ‘skintellectuals’ snapping everyman brands?

Compared to past generations of teens, Gen Z’s aesthetic ideals are distinctly low-key, with the pursuit of an inside-out glow meaning that cosmetics purchases tend to revolve around intelligent skincare routines. So, how does make-up fit into this minimalist approach to beauty?

Skincare brand ZitSticka is playing on a growing desire for science-backed beauty products that don’t promote unrealistic ideals. With an Instagram account filled with photos of real people and their pimples, the brand is hoping to help shift perceptions of acne.