Autonomous Meridian Sensory Response, or ASMR, has exploded into public consciousness over the past few years, with millions of fans, a veritable plethora of ASMR videos, and even a Super Bowl ad. Often described as “brain tingles” or “mind massage” the relaxing, tingly sensation of ASMR is typically triggered by soothing, repetitive noises like tapping, whispering, or crinkling pages.
Now, after riding a tidal wave of consumer enthusiasm, the ASMR trend is hitting a surprising new terrority: the skincare world.
“2020 is officially the year to elevate skincare routines by incorporating ASMR for the ultimate mental massage,” reports MENAFN. “ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) has been reported by psychologists to have a calming sensation on the brain in addition to the spine and scalp tingling sensations that people often feel when exposed to certain sounds.”
But is the ASMR skincare trend overhyped and bound to fade – or here to stay?
ASMR and skincare
The ASMR trend collided into the skincare world in the form of sonic facial devices, or skincare tools which cleanse and exfoliate the skin through gentle pulsations and quiet buzzes.
“Skincare ASMR, as it’s called, is the latest trend to emerge in the beauty and wellness space, and it involves introducing a sonic facial device into one’s routine in order to feel that same sense of calm and relaxation usually achieved through the watching of ASMR videos,” reports MSN.
Fans of ASMR skincare devices believe these high-tech gadgets can provide a double-whammy of efficacy for the skin. First, these devices deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin, which helps create a healthier, more luminous complexion. In addition, sonic facial devices can also help reduce stress (a top skin corrupter) and promote relaxation, thanks to the pleasant “tingly” physical sensations and ASMR-inducing sounds these tools can offer users.
Stress and skin
While there is currently little scientific research on ASMR, or on ASMR-based skincare devices, some experts believe the stress relief these sonic devices can provide may ultimately improve the skin.
“There is no evidence to support that ASMR directly benefits the skin, but anything that lessens stress (ASMR included) might help with breakouts,” dermatologist and CEO of Curology Dr. David Lortscher says. Likewise, dermatologist Dr. Gretchen Frieling shares that, “anything, be it ASMR or other healthy methods that reduce stress, will likely have a positive effect on the skin,” according to MSN.
Regardless of the hard science – or lack of it – behind these gadgets, for consumers seeking out solutions to reduce stress and improve their skin, ASMR skincare devices will likely be an attractive and trendy option in the future.
Potential ASMR issues
However, despite the recent craze for ASMR skincare devices, there are several potential pitfalls around consumer usage.
Skincare devices work by delivering pulsations to the skin, and effectively stripping away makeup, sebum, dry skin, and debris. While sonic devices are an effective, supercharged way to cleanse the skin, these tools can become abrasive and irritating on the face and neck if used too frequently.
“These devices might feel ‘soothing,’ but it’s important to know that physical methods of exfoliation may cause some low-grade irritation, so they should not be used too aggressively,” Dr. David Lortscher said.
Additionally, sonic facial devices are not recommended for many common skin types and issues, including, but not limited to, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, post-facial treatment (i.e. microdermabrasion), sensitive or thin skin, and anyone prone to redness and irritation.
ASMR skincare; will it last the decade?
With the global facial skincare devices market expected to nearly double in worth by 2024 to $17.8 billion USD, ASMR skincare devices will probably continue to enjoy a surge in popularity, thanks to curious consumers looking for the Next Big Thing in skincare.
Formulators can experiment with taking advantage of people’s search for ways to de-stress their skin by promoting proven skincare formulations designed to help consumers decompress and ultimately create a better complexion, without having to resort to unproven electronics.
