California; Hayward — A bill that would have banned the sale of anti-aging skin care products to children under the age of 13 in California was not considered in the state Assembly. The bill, introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Alex Lee, was heard in the Appropriations Committee but did not advance further.
Here are more details from NBC News:
Rep. Lee proposed AB 2491 in response to a trend of young children increasingly being influenced by online skin care trends. Over the past year, there has been a huge social media debate about “Sephora Kids,” with viral posts depicting young children flocking to stores like Sephora, making a mess and clashing with adults over popular skin serums and lip oils. These kids, often still with their baby teeth, have garnered large social media followings by sharing their skin care routines and shopping adventures.
Experts are concerned that some skin care products popular on social media could be damaging to young people’s skin. Seven dermatologists told NBC News in February that they’ve seen a surge in pre-teens suffering from skin problems, including redness, dryness, bumps and itchy rashes, due to unnecessary skin care products.
The bill, which passed the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Substances, sought to ban the sale of over-the-counter anti-aging products that contain vitamin A derivatives (such as retinoids or retinol) and alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid, ascorbic acid, and citric acid) to children under the age of 13.
Despite these setbacks, Lee remains committed to protecting children from the harmful effects of anti-aging products, noting that 20 California state legislators have written to the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) urging them to require the industry to take concrete steps to prevent children from purchasing these products.
Lee stressed that the multi-billion dollar beauty industry has a responsibility to take the issue seriously. In response, the PCPC urged lawmakers to oppose the bill, arguing it is a hasty attempt to combat social media trends and would over-regulate safe products like sunscreens and moisturizers.
If the bill becomes law, merchants would be required to enforce the age restrictions through measures such as posting prominent notices, checking age at checkout, and banning online purchases of these products with prepaid credit cards. While acknowledging Lee’s concerns, the PCPC cited major compliance challenges, including the practicality of cashiers checking product claims and customers’ ages at checkout.
Noumaan Faiz is a journalist and entertainer from Hayward, California, covering culture and entertainment.
Editor: Nikeya Woods
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