Social media is filled with skin care routines for girls. Here’s what dermatologists recommend

Girls are bombarded on social media with advice from influencers who promote elaborate skincare routines with expensive serums, mists and creams. But what is the right skincare routine for pre-teens?

Simple is best, say dermatologists. Before puberty hits, most kids need just three things: a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

“That’s it. Period. You don’t need anything else,” says Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness, a Minneapolis dermatologist.

She and other dermatologists in the U.S. have seen an increase in teens and preteens using anti-aging skin care products. In some cases, adult products have damaged young girls’ skin. And the obsession with achieving the look they see online has expressed concerns about the impact on their mental health.

Many of the popular products from Drunk Elephant, Glow Recipe and others — which can cost $70 or more — contain active ingredients like retinol and hydroxy acids meant for mature skin, which can irritate young faces and damage the skin barrier. Experts say they’re unnecessary and a waste of money for kids.

“I hear all day, every day from all my patients with teens and younger that they’re so fixated on all these skin care products and TikTok trends that they’ve gone overboard,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist in Manhattan.

Here’s what dermatologists say about what’s safe for young skin and how families can get in on this fast-growing trend.

Teens and preteens don’t need anti-aging products. Even the Personal Care Products Council, the trade association for cosmetic companies, says, “Anti-aging products are generally unnecessary for younger skin.”

For pre-teens, dermatologists recommend cleansing and moisturizing brands such as Cetaphil, CeraVe, and La Roche-Posay. These are commonly available at drugstores.

As puberty begins, teens may need to address skin issues caused by hormonal changes, such as acne, excess oil, dark spots, blackheads, and more. If a problem seems severe, it’s best to consult a dermatologist.

When introducing a new product, take it slow, especially if it contains a harsh ingredient.

“If they really want to use a product and see what all the fuss is about, say, ‘How about doing a skin test before you put it all over your face?’” says Maguiness, a professor of pediatric dermatology at the University of Minnesota. Dab a little on the inside of your arm for a few days, and if there’s no reaction, it might be OK to try it on your face.

Signs of an allergic reaction can range from redness, itching, peeling skin, a burning or stinging sensation to small bumps.

“These are all signs to stop using a product,” says Dr. Carli Whittington, a dermatologist at the University of Indiana School of Medicine. Continuing to use products that cause irritation can lead to more serious skin damage.

Often children do not realize that the trendy products they use contain harmful ingredients.

Dr. Brooke Jeffy in Scottsdale, Arizona, had an 11-year-old patient with a severe rash around her eyes. The child had been using a retinol eye cream that caused irritation and itching. The reaction got worse as she continued to use it and scratched her skin.

“She was using an eye cream for a condition she didn’t have and now she’s created this dramatic problem that’s going to take months to resolve,” said Jeffy, one of many dermatologists now taking to TikTok and Instagram to try to debunk harmful social media trends with posts on “Do’s and Don’ts” for preteen skin care.

Engelman suggests setting a timer for skin care, as some parents do to remind their children to brush their teeth for two minutes. Kids shouldn’t need more than five or 10 minutes for skin care, she says.

“If you have a 13-step skin-care routine that takes 45 minutes every night, that’s too much,” she says.

Maguiness encourages parents to talk to their skin care fanatics about viral trends they’re following and why.

“Think of it as a time to teach and ask questions: ‘What do you see here? social media“Do you think the celebrity is getting paid by the company? Do you think they’re trying to sell you something? Do you think this is actually good for your skin?” she says.

Ask your teen what skin concern they’re trying to address — acne, dark spots, etc. — and try to build a basic routine around it, she says. Let them know that the more things they put on their skin, the more irritated they can become.

Dermatologists say that focusing on skin care does indeed have an advantage.

“The only good thing that’s come out of this is wearing sunscreen to protect your skin. They’re all about that,” says Engelman. Many influencers and the kids who follow them put sunscreen on as the last step in their routine, unlike many of her adult patients. “These kids who are obsessed with skin care have instilled that important step. So that’s a silver lining to this trend.”

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