April 25, 2024 – Children are buying anti-aging skin care that contains ingredients that can be harmful to their health.AB 2491, written by Rep. Alex Lee, protects children. 
And preteens are freed from the unnecessary risks of anti-aging products. The bill will pass the Environment, Safety, and Toxic Substances Committee on April 23, 2024, and then be sent to the Appropriations Committee.
“Anti-aging products containing powerful active ingredients like retinol have become much more available in recent years.” Rep. Lee said.. “They are readily available in retail stores and you can see videos of children as young as seven years old using anti-aging serums on social media. However, America’s multi-billion dollar beauty industry has not taken any meaningful action to address this problem, and companies are making it clear that children do not need to use it. Children don’t need anti-aging products, but AB 2491 could result in short-term or long-term consequences that would not otherwise have occurred. Protect children and teens from potential harm from using products that can lead to skin disorders.”
Common ingredients in anti-aging skin products are retinol, glycolic acid, and ascorbic acid. These ingredients are used to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production and increasing cell turnover. However, they can also cause skin irritation such as redness, itching, swelling, dryness, and peeling, which can lead to topical dermatitis and eczema.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are filled with beauty influencers promoting makeup routines and skincare products, resulting in a phenomenon known as “Sephora Kids.” Young children exposed to this content buy trendy products such as anti-aging skin care products targeted at adult skin concerns without getting proper information on the skin care benefits and science behind it. That’s what it’s designed to do.
A coalition of organizations representing retailers and manufacturers opposes AB 2491, but acknowledges in a letter that it “does not support children using anti-aging products.” One of those groups, the Personal Care Products Council, further said in a statement, “Dermatologists say that young skin generally doesn’t need anti-aging products, and that preteens should use mild cleansers, moisturizers, etc.” “We agree that people should look for sunscreen and protective sunscreen.”
Companies such as Dove, Kiehl’s, and The Ordinary have also begun to combat this issue through platforms such as social media. For example, in The Ordinary’s Instagram post, the company recommends that teens:[a]Eliminate ingredients like retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids at the beginning of your skin care journey. ”
Cell renewal rate changes with age. Babies and toddlers have faster cell metabolism than adults, resulting in naturally soft, smooth, and glowing skin. The rate of skin cell metabolism slows down as adults age. This decline is one of the factors that causes visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, dull skin, and uneven skin. That’s why kids don’t need anti-aging products that address issues like collagen loss and fine lines.
Also, children have more sensitive skin than adults. The main differences include a thinner epidermis, a weaker skin barrier, a still developing immune system, higher pH levels, and faster skin cell turnover. Therefore, the skin becomes more vulnerable to external irritants, environmental factors, and allergens.
Scarlett Goddard Strahan is a 10-year-old girl who shared her story during the April 23 hearing. She was influenced by TikTok and her YouTube influencers, and she looked for products that advertised anti-wrinkle, whitening, etc. However, after her fifth grade student used these products, she began experiencing skin reactions such as burning and bumps.
“I stopped using these products a while ago and now use Nivea and sunscreen, but my cheeks are still bumpy and get itchy and red when I sweat or get sun exposure.” Goddard-Strahan said. “I’m embarrassed by the bumps on my face and people at school ask me why my cheeks are red. I feel really self-conscious. I wonder if my skin will always look like this or look like this?” I’m anxious.”
she added, “I really wish I had known how these products affected me, because if I had known, I would never have used them. I didn’t know that it could damage my skin. I wanted glowing skin, but now my skin is red and itchy.”
AB 2491 would prohibit the sale of over-the-counter skin care products or cosmetics to children under 13 that are advertised as combating skin aging and contain any of the following ingredients:
- Vitamin A and its derivatives (such as retinoids and retinol).
- Alpha hydroxy acids including glycolic acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid.
“Traditional skin care for children and teens includes using a good moisturizer to keep the skin healthy, a good sunscreen to minimize sun damage, and reducing breakouts and scarring. This includes using anti-acne products. “This is an important step forward for the Environmental Working Group,” said Dr. Homer Sway, senior vice president of consumer safety science at the Environmental Working Group. “But now, dermatologists are reporting that children and teens are using anti-aging products. These products are designed for older people, so they may at best have no effect on the skin. At worst, these products can harm the skin by causing irritation, dryness, peeling, and ultimately topical dermatitis and eczema. There is no reason why you should.”
The bill requires companies to take reasonable steps to ensure that the purchasers of anti-aging products are not under 13 years of age. Reasonable measures include:
- Place a prominent notice next to the physical product or in the product’s online description stating that the product is not intended for persons under 13 years of age.
- Require buyers to enter their date of birth or verify their age before making a purchase.
- Requiring buyers to use non-prepaid credit cards for online purchases.
- Require buyers to verify age with a valid ID that includes the buyer’s photo and date of birth.
“Skin care habits for teens and teens are driven by influencers, brands and celebrities through social media, and there is an evolutionary desire to fit in that is so strong when we are young. .” says dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jeffey.. “Kids spend hours on social media and are influenced to use anti-aging skin care products that they don’t need but can actually harm their skin. Some of my patients Although some patients say they use the product for some benefit, most patients say they buy a particular product or brand because of the product’s packaging or how it looks on the sink. has become a status symbol.”
“Dermatologists, including myself, see young patients who are experiencing the negative effects of using products that are too harsh for their sensitive skin.” Dr. Jeffy added:. “Rashes, infections, and pimples are common and generally resolve without sequelae if the offending agent is removed over time, but some may require treatment.” These highly visible reactions can have a psychological impact, as physical appearance plays a huge role in self-esteem and mental health, and they are the ones we put ourselves through for no good reason. The problem is that children don’t benefit from these products and can only be harmed. Also, the irritation and damage to the skin barrier that these products cause causes exposure to sunlight. There are also concerns that chronic irritation may damage the skin’s ability to protect itself from skin damage and accelerate age-related skin changes, so products that may be effective for adults may be used in children in the first place. poses only a risk to children because they do not cause the damage that these products address.”
Earlier this year, the British Association of Dermatologists warned that children’s use of anti-aging products could cause irreversible skin problems. In addition, Apotek Hjaltat, a pharmacy chain with around 390 pharmacies in Sweden, has an age restriction restricting the sale of advanced skin care products such as retinol and alpha hydroxy acids to customers under 15 years of age.
Source: Rep. Alex Lee
