TikTok Star’s Harrowing Experience with Expired Acne, Dark Spot Treatment

A TikTok star’s recent trip to the emergency room is an example of why providers should remind their patients the important of not using expired skincare products. 

Stephanie Margarucci, who is known on TikTok as @beasteater, opened up about a harrowing experience that landed her in the hospital. 

Margarucci was using an expired acne and dark spot treatment when it started to burn her face. She attempted to subdue the burn by washing off the treatment, but she then tried using a face steamer to stop the burn. 

This led to a bacterial infection consuming her face. After four days in pain, she went to the emergency room where doctors told her the infection could have entered her bloodstream. 

Anthony Young, MD, is a holistic, board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 8 million followers on TikTok. He reshared Margarucci’s story explaining why expired products should be discarded. 

“Please don’t apply expired products to your face,” said Young. “When products expire their chemical composition can change and they can accumulate bacterial growth; both may contribute to her reaction.” 

Margarucci did not name the expired product she used because she said it was not the company's fault since she was using an expired product.