Margarine Goes Viral as Skincare for a Glowing Face — A Doctor Explains the Hidden Dangers

Sometimes, trends don’t knock on the door.
They barge in.

One day, margarine sits quietly in the kitchen—spread on bread, melted in pans, part of family breakfasts. The next day, it appears on a woman’s face, confidently smeared from a sachet, promising natural glow.

The internet pauses. Then explodes.

A viral video uploaded by @elnafisha shows a woman skipping conventional skincare entirely. No cleanser. No serum. No moisturizer. Just margarine, followed by Kelly Pearl Cream, a legendary yellow cream familiar to many Southeast Asian households.

Oh my God, Kelly plus Blue Band makes my face glowing!” she wrote.

And just like that, margarine left the kitchen and entered the skincare debate.

But here’s the question that matters—
Is glowing skin always a sign of healthy skin?

First, Let’s Understand Why This Trend Feels So Convincing

There is something deeply human about shortcuts.

We love simple solutions. Especially when they feel natural, cheap, and accessible. Margarine promises all three. It’s oily. It reflects light. Under a phone camera, that shine looks like health, like glow, like beauty achieved without effort.

The video quickly reached over 800,000 views, flooded with reactions. Some viewers were curious. Some skeptical. Others sarcastic.

“Add chocolate sprinkles, ma’am,” one joked.
“You know the difference between glowing and oily, right?” another laughed.

But jokes aside, many silently wondered the same thing:

If it looks good… could it actually work?

This is where emotion clashes with science.

In skincare, what looks good today can damage your skin tomorrow. Viral beauty hacks often skip one important truth: skin is not a frying pan. What works on food does not automatically work on faces.

And doctors are clear about this.

However, Doctors Warn: Margarine Is Not Skincare — It’s a Risk

According to Dr. Ayman Alatas, Sp.MK, a clinical microbiologist and skin–gut microbiome expert, using margarine on the skin is strongly discouraged.

Why?

Because margarine is:

  • Highly comedogenic (it clogs pores)

  • Made from hydrogenated vegetable oils

  • Not tested for topical or dermatological safety

“Margarine is a food product,” Dr. Ayman explains.
“It can trigger irritation, acne, allergic reactions, and bacterial growth when applied to the skin.”

Its oily texture traps dirt and bacteria. Add salt, preservatives, and artificial flavorings, and you get a perfect recipe for inflammation—especially for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

That “glow” people see on camera?

It’s often just surface oil, not hydration, not repair, not skin health.

And here’s the quiet danger:
Repeated misuse can damage the skin barrier, causing long-term issues that are far more expensive to fix than buying proper skincare in the first place.

Meanwhile, The Real Difference Between “Glowing” and “Healthy” Skin

Healthy skin doesn’t shout.
It doesn’t scream for attention under ring lights.

Healthy skin feels balanced. Calm. Comfortable. It doesn’t itch, burn, or break out easily. It improves over time—not overnight.

Professional skincare is designed to:

  • Support the skin barrier

  • Balance oil production

  • Protect against bacteria and pollution

  • Work with your skin’s biology, not against it

That’s why dermatologists consistently recommend products and services that are:

  • Dermatologically tested

  • Specifically formulated for topical use

  • Matched to your skin type

Using food products as skincare may feel rebellious, but your skin is not a testing lab.

If you truly want glowing skin—not the oily kind, but the healthy kind—there are safer, smarter paths.

Therefore, A Smarter Choice: Invest in Safe, Proven Skincare Solutions

Here’s the honest truth:

You don’t need extreme hacks to have radiant skin.
You need consistency, safety, and guidance.

Instead of experimenting with viral trends, consider:

  • Professional facial treatments from licensed clinics

  • Dermatologist-recommended skincare products

  • Personalized skin consultations that match your needs

Modern skincare services are designed to give you:

  • Long-term glow, not temporary shine

  • Visible results without hidden damage

  • Confidence that doesn’t depend on filters or lighting

The best investment you can make isn’t in trends—it’s in your skin’s future.

In Conclusion: Not Everything Viral Belongs on Your Face

Margarine belongs in the kitchen.
Skincare belongs in the hands of science.

What goes viral today may fade tomorrow—but your skin remembers everything you put on it.

Choose wisely.
Choose safely.
Choose skincare that respects your skin, not experiments on it.

Because real glow?
It doesn’t come from shortcuts.
It comes from care.