A California bill aimed at banning the sale of anti-aging skin products to children under 13 failed to pass in the state House after being tabled in the Appropriations Committee on Thursday.
AB 2491 was introduced by Rep. Alex Lee last month in an attempt to counter the controversial skin care fad that is affecting young children online.
Over the past year, the internet has been buzzing with discussions about “Sephora Kids.” A number of viral accounts online have posted images of young children flocking to stores like Sephora, causing chaos and fighting with adult shoppers over the last stock of trendy skin serums and lip oils. are doing. Social media has become huge as children, whose baby teeth have only grown in half of their mouths, are sharing videos of their makeup and skin care routines and enjoying shopping.
Experts have warned that some skin care products popularized on social media can irritate young skin. Seven dermatologists told NBC News in February that over the past few months, under-teens have developed red, dry, bumpy and itchy rashes after using unnecessary skin care products. Children are reportedly showing up to the office in droves.
The bill, which passed the Environmental Safety and Toxic Substances Committee last month, would prohibit children under 13 from purchasing over-the-counter anti-aging products containing vitamin A, its derivatives (such as retinoids and retinol), and alpha-hydroxy. Ta. Acids (glycolic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, etc.).
“While we are disappointed with today’s outcome, we remain committed to protecting children from unnecessary harm from anti-aging products,” Lee said in a statement to NBC News after the bill failed to pass.
Lee said 20 California state legislators signed the letter and sent it to the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), a national trade group representing 600 companies in the cosmetics and personal care products industry.
Lee said lawmakers are “asking the industry to share what concrete actions it intends to take to address the issue of children purchasing anti-aging products.”
“The multi-billion dollar beauty industry has a responsibility to take meaningful action on this issue,” he added.
In an April news release, Lee said anti-aging products containing the powerful active ingredients retinol, glycolic acid and ascorbic acid have become much more available in retail stores in recent years.
A PCPC spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.
In its latest statement, the PCPC told the California Legislature that the bill is a “hastily drafted attempt to use legislative power to stop social media trends,” and that He urged people to vote against the bill, saying it risked over-regulating safe skin care products. And cleanser.
If the bill were passed, sellers would be able to enforce this age restriction by placing a prominent notice next to their products in-store or online indicating that they are not intended for people under the following ages: , some “reasonable” steps would have needed to be taken. 13; Require buyers to verify age at checkout. Prohibit the use of prepaid credit cards for online purchases.
“We share Rep. Lee’s concerns about the social media trend of preteens and teenagers using anti-aging products. However, no matter how well-intentioned, California AB 2491 poses serious compliance concerns. “This caused an issue, requiring cashiers to verify product claims and the customer’s age at checkout,” a PCPC spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
