The tween obsession with skincare is reaching an all-time high. From Mecca, Sephora,
MCo beauty and more, the wish lists for girls aged 10 - 17 is vast and expensive. If they don’t have a bottle of Drunk Elephant serum and smell of Sol de Janerio, they simply aren’t part of the cool kids club.
But why the sudden obsession? Well, in short, It's all thanks to the rise of 'Skinfluencers' on TikTok!
What is a Skinfluencer?
A ‘Skinfluencer’ is a marketer's dream. Obsessed with all things skincare (and usually beauty) they promote the latest trends and products to their social media following and sell the dream of dewy skin. They are often endorsed by skincare companies to recommend their products, however, in most cases, they are not certified professionals and don't consider the diversity of ages and skin types.
A staggering 30% of TikTok users in Australia are aged 10 - 17 with beauty becoming the leading category for engagement. This is leading to a concerning trend of children receiving skincare products simply because they ask for them, not necessarily because their skin actually needs them.
So, do 12 year olds really need hydrating serums?
It's important to note that children’s skin is very delicate, with their skin barrier still developing. As we enter the new year, it's time to set the record straight on what "Healthy skincare habits" mean for our tweens and teens and highlight the potential pitfalls of certain skincare products and active ingredients for young skin.
Popular items like Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Collagen creams are among the highly sought-after products browsed and requested by Generation Alpha.
But here’s a fun fact: until around the age of 30, your skin naturally produces collagen and hyaluronic acid. So, there's no need to topically apply these sorts of ingredients to your skin daily.
In fact, by using such products excessively, you're inadvertently encouraging your skin to become complacent and reliant on external help, hindering its ability to maintain a healthy and radiant appearance in the long term.
Skincare Ingredients children should avoid
Active ingredients such as Retinol, Vitamin C and chemical exfoliants like AHA’s (ie Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid) and BHA’s (Salicylic Acid), are best left for adults and should not be used by children. Skincare products that contain exfoliant’s are used to erode dead skin cells and enhance skin turnover. Young skin does not need this and by using it they could be doing more damage to their skin in the long run.
If your child is experiencing puberty and hormonal oil flow changes, opt for a naturally derived AHA-based product, such as the Skin Joy spot serum, that will protect their skin barrier, preserving elasticity, texture and strength but help with breakouts.
Recommended skincare routine for children
Children don’t need a lot. A simple skincare routine that encourages healthy habits is what we are aiming for. Regular cleansing, a light moisturiser if needed and daily sunscreen!
Tween skincare routine
AM PM
Gentle Cleanser Gentle Cleanser
Sunscreen Moisturiser
Teenage skincare routine
AM PM
Gentle Cleanser Gentle Cleanser
Sunscreen Moisturiser or Spot Serum (depending on skin needs)
Optional: Some teenagers may benefit from using the Skin Joy Lactic Acid gel cleaner and face mask but as these contain active ingredients, please consult a professional first.
The Skin Joy youth range has been specifically designed to cater to the needs of tweens and teens, allowing them to embark on their skincare journey safely.
If you're ever unsure, seek professional advice, rather than relying on the skincare recommendations of an 11-year-old TikToker with a skincare haul as long as their Snapchat threads.
Take care of your skin, educate yourself, and let's make informed choices for ourselves and our children for a healthier and more radiant complexion.
Comments