We’re hearing a lot about “Sephora kids” lately. These are kids as young as 9 or 10 years old who are recently flooding the cosmetic store aisles and posting their extensive skin care routines online. In 2023, teen shoppers spent 33% more on cosmetics and 19% more on skin care compared to the previous year.
It’s a phenomenon that stems from an obsession with social media, and that’s a whole topic in and of itself. What we’re concerned about is the ingredients they’re applying to their young skin and the money they’re wasting in hopes of achieving the unattainable results often promoted online (hello, filters!).
Here are just a few reasons why your tweens and teens shouldn’t use adult skin care products:
- They’re choosing products meant for mature skin concerns, so it will be ineffective.
- Their hormonal climate is vastly different from an adult’s, with more oil production and faster cell renewal rates.
- Their skin microbiome isn’t fully formed. It’s not meant to handle harsh ingredients like retinols, exfoliating acids, and vitamin C, which can cause redness, irritation, dryness, breakouts, and contact dermatitis, and land them in a dermatologist’s office.
- They already have plenty of collagen and elastin, so products containing those ingredients are simply unnecessary.
- They can develop allergies to these substances and a multi-step routine makes it hard to pinpoint which product or ingredient is causing a reaction.
When a product label boasts benefits like …
- antiaging
- tightening
- wrinkle-reducing
- brightening
- firming
… it’s not made for tweens and teens!
However, establishing healthy skin care routines early in life is important, just like a healthy diet, exercise, and hygiene, so you don’t want to dissuade your kids from having an interest in it.
Simply talk to them about how important it is to take care of their skin, their largest organ. And suggest a simple non toxic skin care routine that won’t strip or dry their skin, like this one:
- gentle cleanser morning and night
- toner morning and night
- moisturizing face sunscreen in the morning
- lightweight moisturizer at night
- topical treatment as needed for blemishes
If your advice falls on deaf ears or if you like the idea of caring for your skin together with the same products, Pure Haven’s non toxic refresh and clear up skin care products are suitable for both adults and tweens/teens. Like all our products, each one is made with only safe, effective ingredients, no harsh chemicals. (We do suggest keeping the eye cream, beauty booster, night serum, brightening serum, and soothing serum for yourself!)
Please reach out to your Pure Haven Consultant for more suggestions.
Sources:
Holcombe, Madeline. 15 Jan 2024. The skin care craze has hit tweens. But what is actually worth it? https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/12/style/tweens-skin-care-wellness/index.html
Bennett Demaio, Krista. 25 Jan 2024. Should Pre-Teens and Adults Follow the Same Skincare Routine? https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a46402008/tweens-skincare-trend/