Skincare trends on TikTok move quickly, but the discourse around “sushi face” has lingered long enough to spark a wider conversation about how easily misinformation — and sometimes harmful language — slips into our routines. What began as a casual phrase describing post-meal puffiness has become a case study in how beauty culture online can distort both science and context.

The term surfaced when a creator encouraged viewers to avoid sushi, claiming the dish leads to noticeable bloating. The video vanished almost as quickly as it appeared, but not before dermatologists, estheticians and online communities began unpacking the problem. TikToker Eunnuri Lee called out the phrase for what it is: a misleading idea wrapped in racialized wording, especially when sodium-related puffiness already has established medical terminology that has nothing to do with any culture or cuisine.

Experts stress that the biology behind facial puffiness is anything but new. “When you consume a lot of sodium, your body pulls extra water into your tissues to balance out the salt in your bloodstream.” It isn’t an allergy. It isn’t inflammation from fish. It’s simply water retention.

The issue, they say, isn’t sushi. It’s oversimplification. Social platforms often compress nuanced science into digestible buzzwords, and the result is an illusion that certain foods are uniquely harmful to the skin. “Many meals, not just sushi, can contribute to water retention because of sodium,” says Michelle Ventresca, esthetician and founder of Live by Skin. The moment a trend ties a common skin response to a specific cultural dish, nuance gets lost and stereotypes can take hold.

This is why dermatologists are pushing back, not only to correct terminology but to protect users from absorbing ideas that chip away at cultural understanding and scientific accuracy. TikTok can absolutely be a place for useful skin education, but the platform thrives on speed and spectacle. Good skincare, however, requires slower thinking.

Ventresca suggests treating TikTok as inspiration rather than authority. Look for licensed professionals. Listen for explanations rooted in how skin actually functions. Do a quick search beyond the app before adopting a new ritual or cutting out a food you enjoy.

The truth is, glowing skin rarely comes from shortcuts. But misinformation does. And learning to spot the difference might be the most valuable routine of all.