If you’ve been in a Sephora store lately, you might have noticed swarms of pre-teens, many as young as 10-years-old, trying out pricey skin serums and Vitamin C creams.
Spurred by TikTok videos and often peer pressure (not to mention unrealistic beauty standards), these youngsters are spending $200 of their parent’s money to buy products such as Drunk Elephant that can cause damage to youthful skin. Children then post videos of their 12-step routines on TikTok and Instagram.
Instead of playing with toys, these youngsters are obsessed with beauty influencers, skincare routines and showing off their products on social media.
No 10-year-old should be using exfoliating acids, Retin-A, or any anti-aging regimen.
Dermatologists warn that they’re seeing a rising number of patients with reactions to the harsh products in creams and serums made for older, more mature skin. For instance, by using Retinol products they are hurting the skin barrier which could cause serious problems later.
Star Drew Barrymore, who has partnered with DOVE to raise awareness of anti-aging skincare being marketed toward tweens recently spoke out about the disturbing trend:
‘I just want to make sure that young girls, while they’re really invested and in love with skincare…are making sure that their skin is safe and the messages they’re receiving are healthy,’ she stated.
Barrymore added that she wanted to ensure that the products her daughters were using were ‘age-appropriate.’
‘We have to figure out messaging that empowers women and also lets young girls know that they have so much ahead of them. And they don’t need anti-aging!’ Barrymore wrote.
While it’s a promising sign that girls (and boys!) are learning to take care of their skin, parents need to discuss — or better still, take them to a dermatologist — to explain why they need to be careful with their blooming skin.
Here are a few ingredients that can be irritating to young skin and cause damage in the future.
- Retinol
- Exfoliating acids
- Peptides
- Vitamin C serums
Drunk Elephant, whose products are popular with the younger set (see TikTok) has even put out a statement on its Instagram page warning:
“Many of our products are designed for all skin, including kids and tweens… Stay away from our more potent products that include acids and retinols— their skin does not need these ingredients quite yet.”
And just because all their friends are doing it, doesn’t mean the parent caves and lets them spend a ridiculous amount of money on expensive anti-aging products. And looking at you, Grandparents.
Stores such as Sephora and Ulta Beauty are now thinking of creating an age limit so pre-teens can only shop when accompanied by an adult.
With so many age-appropriate skin lines developed for young girls, such as ‘Luv Ur Skin’ (see the review by a middle schooler here) these little ones have other choices.
Check out these Gen Alphas with their ‘Sephora Haul.’