The current skincare craze sweeping social media has reached a ‘crisis point’ with children as young as eight now obsessed with the products, a dermatologist has warned.
Dr. Tess McPherson, from the British Association of Dermatologists, said Sky News that the tween and teen or Gen Alpha fixation on anti-aging creams and retinols can cause irreversible damage that is “lifelong.”
Retinol, which has become a skin staple in recent years, works by increasing the rate at which skin cells are produced and killed, exfoliating the skin and unclogging 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 child influencers taking the platform by storm with their get-ready-with-me style videos and beauty advice.
A recent one video showed her getting ready in Dubai, where she slathered a plethora of creams on her face as she ‘got ready’, while other videos reveal her personal and daily skincare routines.
According to a Kantar survey over the past two years, there has been a 21 percent increase in Leyla’s age group – 11 to 16 year olds – using anti-aging moisturizers, while Dr. McPherson has admitted to treating girls as young as eight years old who have been negatively affected by the products.
‘[These products] can not only cause irritation but can even develop contact allergies that can be lifelong,” she told Sky News.
She also revealed that such products were not made for young skin, and combined with the fact that children may not be aware that they have ‘eczema-prone skin’, it was very likely that they would develop facial eczema later on.
The current skincare craze sweeping social media has reached a ‘crisis point’, with children as young as eight now obsessed with the products, warns dermatologist Dr Tess McPherson (Photo: 13-year-old influencer Layla Eleni on TikTok)
The expert also warned that the creams were too expensive for young people, and feared the mental impact continued use would have on them.
She told Sky News: “It doesn’t make you happier. We know that this can lead to psychological problems. We know that this can lead to significant appearance concerns, making you more likely to opt for 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 a similar warning, saying some 10-year-olds were using skin creams intended for older women.
The British Cosmetic Dermatology Group expert said children as young as 10 are using anti-ageing creams because of social media pressure.
Pre-teens are begging parents for moisturizers that cost around £50 a jar because they have complicated skincare regimes, according to dermatologists.
Ingredients such as retinol, a form of vitamin A, are popular but, while helpful for aging skin, can cause redness, flaking and rashes on children’s faces.
Older teens are at risk of worsening their acne by using unnecessary and expensive products.
She said: ‘There are children who have extensive skincare routines, who wash their face before using a serum, then a mist, and then a toner, followed by an expensive moisturizer.
The expert said fixating on anti-aging creams and retinols can cause irreversible damage that is ‘lifelong’ (Stock Image)
‘This is completely unnecessary as children only need to wash their face with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and use a light moisturizer and sunscreen during the summer months.
‘But social media makes children very conscious of their appearance and skin, as they compare themselves to influencers, and that is also worrying for their mental health.’
Parents are harassed to buy expensive face creams for their children because the youngsters see them being used on social media.
However, some of these products can irritate the skin of prepubescent children and clog the pores of teens with oilier skin, worsening acne.
Dr. Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Self London, said: ‘I am aware that there is currently a trend on social media for teenagers showcasing their luxury skincare routines (often with lots of steps), especially on platforms such as TikTok.
Dr. McPherson also warned that the creams were too expensive for young people, and feared the mental impact continued use would have on them (Stock Image)
‘As a dermatologist, I think it’s essential to emphasize that a 13-year-old’s skincare routine should prioritize basic hygiene, rather than unnecessary complexity.’
She added: ‘Teenagers are sometimes overly concerned about premature aging.
‘I recently saw a 14-year-old in the clinic who was concerned about crow’s feet.
“She was undoubtedly influenced by social media and influencers.”
Dermatologists say teens are following online trends when they should seek medical attention for problems like acne.
Dr. Wedgeworth said: ‘I see my own 12-year-old daughter wanting to spend a lot of time on her skincare routine before and after school.
“I think a lot of this attention is coming from recognizable girl-next-door influencers on social media.
“And as a result, many young children scrutinize their skin and pay attention to blemishes and blemishes, much more than is necessary at this age.”