The current skincare craze sweeping social media has reached a “tipping point”, with children as young as eight now obsessed with the products, a dermatologist has warned.
Dr Tess McPherson, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said News from heaven that the fixation of tweens and teens (or Generation Alpha) on anti-aging creams and retinols could cause irreversible damage that will last a lifetime.
Retinol, which has become a skin staple in recent years, works by increasing the rate at which skin cells are produced and die, which in turn exfoliates the skin and unclogs pores. It also increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
British TikToker Layla Eleni, 13, is just one of many super-famous kid influencers who are taking the platform by storm with their get-ready-with-me videos and beauty tips.
A recent video It showed her getting ready in Dubai, where she lathered a lot of creams on her face while “getting ready”, while other videos reveal her personal, daily skincare routines.
According to a Kantar study over the past two years, there has been a 21 percent increase in Leyla’s age group (11 to 16 years) using anti-aging moisturizers, while Dr. McPherson has admitted that he treats girls as young as eight years old who have been negatively affected by the products.
“(These products) can not only cause irritation, but you can also develop contact allergies that can last a lifetime,” he told Sky News.
It also revealed that such products were not created for young skin and, coupled with the fact that children may not know that they have “eczema-prone skin”, they were very likely to end up with facial eczema later.
The current skincare craze sweeping social media has reached a “tipping point”, with children as young as eight now obsessed with the products, warns dermatologist Dr Tess McPherson (pictured: influencer 13 year old Layla Eleni on TikTok)
The expert also warned that the creams were too expensive for young people and feared the mental impact that continued use would have on them.
She told Sky News: “It doesn’t make you happier.” We know it can cause mental health problems. We know it can lead to significant appearance concerns, and you are more likely to undergo cosmetic surgery at an increasingly younger age, spending money with risks to both your skin, your health, and your mental health.
Earlier this year, Dr Emma Wedgeworth sent out a similar warning, saying some 10-year-olds were using skin creams designed for older women.
The British Cosmetic Dermatology Group expert said children as young as 10 are using anti-aging creams due to pressure from social media.
Tweens are begging their parents to give them moisturizers costing around £50 a bottle as they adopt complicated skincare regimes, according to dermatologists.
Ingredients like retinol, which is a form of vitamin A, are popular, but while helpful for aging skin, they can cause redness, peeling, and rashes on children’s faces.
Older teens run the risk of worsening their acne by using expensive and unnecessary products.
She said: ‘There are children with extensive skincare routines, washing their face before using a serum, then a mist and then a toner, followed by an expensive moisturiser.
The expert said that the fixation on anti-aging creams and retinols could cause irreversible damage that lasts “a lifetime” (File image)
“This is completely unnecessary as children only need to wash their faces with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and use a light moisturizer and sunscreen during the summer months.
“But social media is making children very conscious of their appearance and skin as they compare themselves to influencers, and that’s worrying for their mental health too.”
Parents are pestered to buy expensive face creams for their children because young people see them being used on social media.
However, some of these products can irritate the skin of prepubescent children and can block the pores of teenagers with oilier skin, making acne worse.
Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Self London, said: “I’m aware that there is a trend on social media these days for teenagers to show off their luxurious skincare routines (often with many steps), especially on platforms like TikTok.
Dr McPherson also warned that the creams were too expensive for young people and feared the mental impact that continued use would have on them (File image).
“As a consultant dermatologist, I think it is essential to emphasize that a 13-year-old’s skincare routine should prioritize basic hygiene, rather than unnecessary complexity.”
He added: ‘Sometimes teenagers are too worried about premature ageing.
‘I recently saw a 14-year-old boy in the clinic who was worried about crow’s feet.
“No doubt she had been influenced by social media and influencers.”
Dermatologists say teens follow online trends when they should seek medical help for problems like acne.
Dr Wedgeworth said: ‘I see my own 12-year-old daughter wanting to spend a lot of time on her before and after school skincare routine.
‘I think a lot of this focus comes from relatable “girl next door” influencers on social media.
“And as a result, many young children examine their skin for blemishes and blemishes, much more than is necessary at this age.”