As parents rush to the malls for the final days of Christmas shopping, many will have wish lists full of beauty products for their children.
Skincare is a rapidly growing phenomenon among Generation Alpha, generally defined as those born after 2010. Dubbed “Sephora Kids,” these tweens and teens are stocking up on products from trendy brands like Drunk Elephant and Bubble and Glow Recipe, and diligently following the multi-step anti-aging skin care routines popularized on social media. I’m doing it.
Children are becoming a dominant segment in the fast-growing $164 billion global skin care industry, and brands have catered to them with new products packaged in colorful, eye-catching bottles and jars.
Dermatologists say it’s good to inculcate good skin care habits in kids, but they urge parents to be careful when splurging on holiday gifts.
“I always tell pediatric dermatologists to be very careful and pay close attention to the active ingredients in their products,” said Dr. Jayden Galamgam, a pediatric dermatologist at UCLA Health. “Simple is often better.”
What products are safe for children to use?
Gentle cleansers, hydrating moisturizers, and appropriate sunscreen are recommended and suitable for all ages.
“You don’t have to use all these products. You don’t need a 10-step routine,” Galamgam said. “Use 3 products.” Most people don’t need more than that. ”
Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Must be worn daily and reapplied every few hours.
Which products should I avoid?
Anti-wrinkle serums, exfoliants, and peels are not suitable for children. Avoid products that contain strong alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, and retinol, Garamgam said.
“I definitely try to stay away from them because they can be very irritating to kids,” he said.
Social media trends often encourage tweens to try cosmetics that aren’t right for their skin type or age, says Sam Cutler, founder of Beverly Hills-based tween skincare brand Putin. , said parents should look carefully at ingredient labels before purchasing. cute.
“We want to warn parents about the growing trend of products being marketed as ‘for children’, as bright and playful packaging can be misleading,” she said. Ta. “Many of these products are formulated for adults and contain harsh ingredients such as hydroxy acids, retinoids, and artificial fragrances, which can be too harsh for young, delicate skin and can cause irritation and long-term damage. may cause damage.”
My kids want anti-aging products anyway. What should I say?
You can talk to them about the potential harmful side effects and risks of following the advice of online “skinfluencers”.
“There are a lot of teens who are using these products inappropriately, either because of misinformation or because they want to fit in with their friends based on what they see on TikTok,” says Pediatric Dermatologist. says Dr. Carol Chen, clinical assistant professor. Department of Dermatology at UCLA.
“They’re susceptible. Many of them don’t realize that these influencers are probably being paid to promote certain products.”
Is anything being done to protect children from potentially harmful skin care products?
In February, California Congressman Alex Lee introduced a bill that would ban the sale of anti-aging products to children under 13, but the bill failed to pass in the California state legislature.
