California lawmakers are trying to ban anti-aging skin care products from reaching teenagers.
The bill under consideration would ban the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to children under 13.
California bill AB 2491 was filed by Democratic Rep. Alex Lee, who represents a district in the San Jose suburbs.
“Children don’t need anti-aging products. AB 2491 protects children from potential harm from the use of products that can cause short-term or long-term skin damage that they would not otherwise experience.” and protect teenagers,” Lee said in the paper. news release.
However, some people have doubts.
“However, the Personal Care Products Council, an industry group representing parent companies of Sephora, Ulta, and about 600 other cosmetics and personal care products, said enforcing the bill would be “nearly impossible.”
“This bill risks over-regulating products essential to safe and healthy skin care by proposing sales restrictions on a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products, including basic necessities such as sunscreens, moisturizers, and cleansers. ” said the Personal Care Products Council. The statement added that member companies seek to educate teens and pre-teens about age-appropriate product use.
The bill aims to prevent tweens from purchasing over-the-counter cosmetics that advertise anti-aging and contain vitamin A derivatives such as retinol and alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic, ascorbic and citric acids.
At the first public hearing on the bill, a 10-year-old girl who used skin care was present with Lee. The product that caused her side effects.
“Children don’t need anti-aging products. Using these powerful products can cause serious harm. Scarlett, a 10-year-old fifth grader, says these products will help her “glow up.” “Today, she shared her story of how she thought it would cause a painful reaction, but instead caused a painful reaction,” Lee tweeted.
Scarlett told her story at the hearing.
“I was mainly looking for products such as sheet masks, creams, and mist that are “glossy,” “moisturizing,” “whitening,” and “anti-wrinkle.” Because I don’t want to get wrinkles. Excuse me. You look old,” she said to a room filled with laughter from lawmakers.
The girl developed a rash on her skin and was unable to sleep without pain medication. She still has swelling and redness on her face, which she said makes her feel self-conscious.
“I really wish I had known these would affect me, because if I had known, I never would have used them,” she said of the products. “I didn’t know you could buy products that looked so good but actually harmed your skin.”
If signed into law, the bill would require businesses to take “reasonable steps” to ensure their customers are at least 13 years old. This could include signage or asking customers for their date of birth or asking them to show identification.
