Kids are flocking to Sephora and more obsessed with skin care than ever before, which can be a problem.
Dermatologists say more children are being treated as patients with multi-step skin care routines, and more products are being used that are unnecessary or harmful to their skin.
Dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jaffee recalls a patient around the age of 11 who developed a severe rash around her eyes due to retinol, an ingredient known for its anti-aging properties, and the child insisted on using retinol. It is said that he did.
“This rash has been going on for a very long time and was very intense, so it’s probably going to take at least a month, maybe longer, to completely heal,” Jeffy says. “All because she tried to use anti-aging products that she didn’t need.”
Now, Jeffie and other dermatologists are sounding the alarm on a beauty industry and culture that pushes unnecessary products and fears of aging on children too young to even drive.
“They don’t understand how skin works, and they don’t understand that this wall isn’t the only thing you can throw at them,” Jeffy says. “It’s a kind of word of reason for this huge industry of beauty and social media. It’s the words of their parents, and sometimes the words of me and other doctors.”
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Jeffy says she has seen children use up to eight products each morning. We’ve seen some of her 12-step routines on her TikTok, where she makes videos for kids about the dangers of adult skin care.
She says the main ingredients responsible for harming children’s skin are retinol, exfoliating acids, and fragrances, which can cause irritation and the development of contact allergies.
“When the skin barrier is damaged by this constant stimulation, it becomes dry,” says Jeffy. “You’re more susceptible to infections, you’re more prone to rashes, and you’re more prone to breakouts.” She adds that irritation reduces the effectiveness of the skin barrier, which protects the skin from environmental damage such as UV rays and pollution.
Dermatologists may recommend retinoid products for teens and young adults to treat certain conditions, such as acne. But these decisions are being weighed by medical experts against the potential downsides, Jeffey said.
For anti-aging purposes, people don’t need retinol before they reach their 20s, when collagen starts to decline, says Chicago dermatologist Dr. Danilo Del Campo.
“If you’re under 20, there’s really no need to replace collagen or try to generate new collagen from an anti-aging standpoint,” he says. “At least at this point, the evidence doesn’t show that.”
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Dr. Anthony Rossi, a New York dermatologist, says all the skin care your kids need is a gentle cleanser, a light moisturizer, and sunscreen. If your child has a condition that requires treatment with additional products, please consult a board-certified dermatologist first.
Rossi said she’s heard from several parents whose children have asked for anti-aging skin care for the holidays. Ironically, kids don’t seem to be interested in sunscreen, he says. Sunscreen is actually the most effective anti-aging product.
“We really need to promote sunscreen,” Rossi says. “If you’re going to invest money in skin care, I think you should do it, especially in younger groups. It will save you years of money on anti-aging treatments later on.”
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Why are children so particular about skin care?
Jeffy believes that social media is the main reason why kids are hooked on skincare and anti-aging products. It’s also likely that the pandemic, which has forced many work and school activities to take place over Zoom, may have played a role, she said. Because people are now frequently faced with how their faces look on screen.
When Jeffy asks his young patients why they insist on using these products, many say they like the look of the products on their shelves, vanities, and next to their sinks.
“They’re on social media, and they’re really exposed to constant marketing,” Jeffy says. “Skincare and some of these brands have just become status symbols.”
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Dermatologists and parents aren’t the only ones witnessing the beauty industry’s influence on young children. Videos of young girls rushing into Sephora stores and spending hundreds of dollars on products have gone viral, with even nannies sharing horror stories of children given unlimited budgets to buy cosmetics.
Del Campo said children already have a lot to worry about. Skin care shouldn’t be one of them.
“Being a kid is hard enough,” he says. “They still have other things to worry about, like homework, school, friends, family, and sleep. Skin care should be one of the cornerstones of healthy behavior, not something we should emphasize. .”
Have questions about retinol?there is an answer
