种草男孩dalin

# The "Honest Grass-Planting Guy Next Door: A Deep Dive into Douyin’s "种草男孩dalin"

If you’ve ever scrolled through Douyin looking for, no-hype product recommendations, chances are you’ve stumbled upon "种草男孩dalin"—a 27-year-old Sichuan native with chemical background, a knack for humor, and a mission to make "grass-planting" (product recommendation) honest again. With 28 million loyal fans and a monthly growth rate of 15%, Dalin isn’t just another KOL; he’s the friend you turn to you want to avoid wasting money on overhyped skincare, find a 12-yuan facial brush that works better than a 200uan one, or learn why your favorite serum might be hiding harmful ingredients. Let’s unpack the magic behind this beloved Douyin account, one dimension at time.

1. Platform Type & Audience Characteristics: Douyin’s Go-To for Practical, Budget-Friendly Finds

Dalin home is Douyin—China’s short-video giant, where 15-second clips and 2-hour live streams blend to create a community of product who value authenticity over flash. His audience is a tight-knit group of "family" (as he calls them) with distinct traits:
-Demographics**: 65% female, 35% male; 70% aged 19-29, 20 aged 30-35. Most live in first-tier (Beijing, Shanghai) or new first-tier cities (Chengdu, Hangzhou), middle-income salaries (5k-15k yuan/month) and a taste for quality without extravagance.

• Behavior & Interests:’re active commenters—leaving 10k+ comments per video asking for links or sharing their own product experiences. 80% of fans tune into his Sunday live streams for exclusive discounts, and 60% have purchased at least one product he recommended. Take Xiao Li, 22-year-old college student in Chengdu: "I used to blow 500 yuan/month on skincare that did nothing. Now I Dalin’s ‘Budget Gem’ series and spend 150 yuan on products that actually fix my dry skin. He’s my wallet’s sav!"
• Psychographics: They’re tired of KOLs who shill luxury brands for commissions. Dalin’s fans crave transparency—they to see products tested in real scenarios (like crying with onion juice to test waterproof mascara) and trust data over pretty packaging. As one fan put: "Dalin doesn’t just say ‘this is good’—he shows you why it’s good, with lab reports or 12-hour tests."

2. Operator Background & Professional Positioning: The Chemist Who Quit R&D to Save Your Wallet

Dalin’s real is Lin Tao, a Mianyang native who graduated from Sichuan University with a degree in Chemistry. After 2 years in a skincare brand’s&D department, he quit his 9-to-5 to start his Douyin account—frustrated by how many good, affordable products were buried marketing hype, and how many harmful ingredients were hidden in "natural" serums.

His professional positioning is simple: "The Honest Chem Grass-Planting Guy". Unlike most KOLs who rely on brand scripts, Dalin uses his chemical knowledge to break down ingredients in plain (e.g., "Small-molecule hyaluronic acid penetrates deep; large-molecule locks in moisture—look for both in your serum! He often says: "I don’t recommend products I haven’t used for at least two weeks. If I wouldn’t put it on my own face use it in my home, why would I tell you to?"

This background gives him an edge: when he exposes a popular serum for containing bannedquinone (a skin-lightening agent), he doesn’t just say "don’t buy it"—he shows the lab report he paid for, how hydroquinone damages melanocytes, and recommends safer alternatives. Fans trust him because he’s not just a "recommender"; he’s problem-solver with the credentials to back it up.

3. Core Content Direction & Differentiation: No Filters, No Hype— Real Tests & Honest Opinions

Dalin’s content stands out in a sea of flashy, scripted种草 videos for three key reasons:### a. "Zero Filter Real Tests"
He’s famous for going to extreme lengths to test products. Once, he tested 8 waterproof masc by dabbing onion juice on his eyes (to make himself cry) and then jumping into a community pool. At the end of the video, his were red and his hair was soaked—but only two mascaras stayed smudge-free. Fans laughed at his messy appearance but praised his dedication: "This the most real test I’ve ever seen! I’m buying the one that survived the pool!"

Another iconic test: he wore 10 different for 12 hours—from morning commute (sweating in a crowded subway) to evening dinner (eating spicy hot pot). He filmed every, from applying the foundation to wiping his face with a tissue at the end, and ranked them by longevity, coverage, and comfort. The winner A 39-yuan domestic brand that beat a 300-yuan international luxury foundation.

b. "Anti-Planting" Series

Dalin doesn’t just recommend good products—he calls out bad ones. In one viral video (1.8 million views), he a popular facial serum that claimed to "whiten skin in 7 days." He bought three bottles (official store, Taobao, third-party) and sent them to a professional lab. The result? All three contained hydroquinone, a banned ingredient in China. He posted the lab report a clip of himself throwing the serums in the trash, saying: "If a product promises miracles in 7 days, run. Your skin deserves than shortcuts."

c. "Budget Gem" Series

His most beloved series focuses on products under 50 yuan. He’s recommended a12-yuan silicone facial brush that sold out on Taobao within 3 days, a 15-yuan lip balm that cures ch lips in winter, and a 20-yuan bamboo toothbrush that’s eco-friendly and gentle on gums. For Dalin, "affordable doesn’t mean "low quality"—it means "value for money."

What makes him truly unique? He’s a guy talking about beauty lifestyle products, but he doesn’t pander to stereotypes. He’ll recommend a lipstick that looks great on girls (based on his sister’s feedback) a skincare product for guys (since he uses it himself). His male fans love him for this: "Finally, a KOL who understands that guys to take care of their skin too, without spending a fortune!" says Wang Ming, a 28-year-old Shanghai office worker.

. Fan Value: Knowledge, Entertainment, & Exclusive Perks

Dalin’s fans don’t just follow him for product links—they follow him for value he delivers:

a. Knowledge

He teaches his fans to be smart consumers. In his "Ingredient 101" clips he breaks down terms like "niacinamide" (good for brightening) and "parabens" (bad for long-term skin health) 15 seconds. Once, he made a video explaining how to read a skincare label: "First, look at the ingredient list—if the three are water, alcohol, and fragrance, it’s probably not worth buying." Fans now post screenshots of their product labels in the comments, askingin to "decode" them.

b. Entertainment

Dalin’s videos are full of humor and relatable moments. When testing a waterproof, he wore it while mopping the floor, washing dishes, and even getting caught in a rainstorm. At the end of the video, he like a wet dog—but the foundation stayed put. Fans laughed and commented: "Dalin, you’re so dedicated I want to buy the foundation just support you!"

c. Resources

His fans get exclusive perks:

• Live stream discounts: In his Sunday 8-10 live streams, he offers 30-50% off on products he recommends, plus free samples for lucky viewers.
• Private We group: 10k+ fans are in his group, where he shares behind-the-scenes content (like how he tests products) and organiz group buys for eco-friendly products.
• Free lab tests: Once a month, he picks a fan’s product and sends it to the lab testing—then posts the result on Douyin.

As one fan put it: "Dalin doesn’t just sell products—he gives us the tools to make better choices. That’s why we love him."

5. Update Frequency & Interaction Strategy: Consistent, Personal, & Fanentric

Dalin’s success isn’t accidental—it’s built on consistency and genuine interaction:

• Update frequency: 3 short videos per weekTuesdays: Real Test; Thursdays: Budget Gem; Saturdays: Anti-Planting Alert) + 1 live stream per Sunday. He misses an update—even when he had a fever last winter, he did the live stream wrapped in a blanket, saying: "I promised my family’d be here, so I can’t let you down."
• Interaction:
  • He replies to at least 50 comments per, especially those asking for product details.
  • He uses Douyin polls to let fans choose what products he tests next. Last month, 0% of fans voted for "summer cooling gadgets," so he tested 10 portable fans and recommended the 25-yuan one that lasts8 hours.
  • In live streams, he does quizzes (e.g., "What’s the main ingredient in CeraVe’s moisturizer") and gives free samples to winners. He also does one-on-one Q&A sessions, where fans ask him about their specific skin problems (like acne or dryness) and he gives personalized advice.

This level of interaction makes his fans feel seen. As Xiao Hong, a 25-year Hangzhou teacher, says: "Dalin remembers my name! I commented once about my sensitive skin, and he mentioned me in his next video, a gentle cleanser. It’s like talking to a friend."

6. Key Data Performance: Numbers That Speak to Authenticity

D’s data tells a story of trust:

• Fan count: 2.8 million (as of March 2024), with60% of fans following him for over 6 months.
• Video metrics: Average views per video: 500k+ average likes: 80k+; average comments:10k+. His most viral video—"I tested 10 oil-control powders 8 hours—only 3 are worth buying"—got 2.3 million views, 320k likes, and 4k comments.
• Live stream metrics: Monthly GMV: 1.25 million yuan; average concurrent viewers: 15k; conversion rate: 12% (well above the Douyin average of 5%).
• 爆款 content: His "Anti-Plant Alert" video about the banned serum got 1.8 million views and was shared 200k+ times. Many fans said it saved from buying harmful products.

What’s impressive is that Dalin’s growth isn’t driven by paid promotions—it’s driven by word-of-mouth. share his videos with friends, post about his recommendations on WeChat, and even create fan accounts dedicated to his best finds.

7. Cooperation & Industry Influence: Honesty Over Commissions

Dalin is picky about brand partnerships. He only works with brands that let him test products for least two weeks, and he reserves the right to give negative feedback if the product doesn’t meet his standards. Here are two standout cases:

a. Collaborating with a Small Domestic Skincare Brand
Last year, Dalin worked with "Mianyang Skin Care," a small brand from hometown. He tested their serum for two weeks and found that it was effective for dry skin—but the battery life of their electric applicator was shorter than. Instead of hiding this, he posted a video saying: "The serum is great, but the applicator dies after 3 uses. The brand fixing it, so wait for the new version." The brand was grateful for his honesty and sent him the improved applicator. After the video, the’s sales increased by 300%, and their fan count jumped from 10k to 120k.

b.-Friendly Brand Partnership

Dalin recently collaborated with a bamboo toothbrush brand that donates 10% of profits to forest protection. He tested toothbrush for a month and loved it—so he recommended it in his "Green Life" series. The brand’s sales increased by 50% in one month, and they invited Dalin to plant trees in a forest in Sichuan. He posted a video of the tree-plant trip, saying: "This is the kind of partnership I want—one that does good for the planet and my fans."

His influence extends beyond. He was invited to speak at the 2023 Douyin Beauty & Lifestyle Summit, where he shared his mantra: "Grass-ing should be about helping people, not making money." Many young KOLs now cite him as an inspiration to be more honest.

. Content Direction Explanation: Evolving with Fans’ Needs

Dalin’s content isn’t static—it evolves