Social media apps can connect millions worldwide, inform people’s opinions, and reach target audiences for specific products. The skincare industry has particularly benefitted from exposure on TikTok and Instagram. While marketing creams, serums, and makeup routines to adult audiences, these digital platforms have created an upsurge of interest in these commodities among children and tweens. Because of the social pressure to purchase and use the trendiest products in skincare, young consumers are exposing themselves to products that contain ingredients that are harmful to their skin.
For adults, a healthy skincare routine is beneficial because it protects the skin from infection and skin cancer. Dermatologists recommend taking care of the skin with products that can regenerate skin cells and help users retain hydrated and comfortable skin, according to centerforsurgicaldermatology.com. Even though a simple daily routine can positively impact the skin, young children may cause damage to their skin by overusing potent skincare products.
Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram are instrumental in promoting these potentially harmful products to young children. The hashtag #teenageskincare has received over 26.4 million views on TikTok. As a result of these trends, preteens have begun competing for the best skincare products and spending significant amounts of money to meet social media expectations. The new generation of beauty influencers, which users recognize as “Sephora kids,” share their newest skincare shopping hauls and everyday morning routines, according to cvskinlabs.com. The growth of this trend has created a younger generation of loyal customers for popular brands like Drunk Elephant, Glow, and The Ordinary, according to bbc.com.
Yet, some products by these popular brands contain ingredients like retinol and peptides. These chemicals target specific skin concerns, and children should not be using them every day, according to colorscience.com. Adults may use retinol to lessen the signs of aging and decrease the appearance of wrinkles, but these products can damage immature skin. Peptides are another popular ingredient in skincare products that adults may use to moisturize their skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. However, these harsh chemicals can negatively affect the skin barrier of younger children.
Preteens new to skincare are less aware of the effects of ingredients such as retinol and peptides. Some make purchases based on recommendations or the products’ popularity on social media and do not realize the effects of these chemicals. For example, chemicals in these products can result in irritation and reverse the intended effects of their use. They can also produce eczema on premature skin because the solution is too strong and causes a breakout of rashes, according to webmd.com. Dr. Abigail Waldman, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital on the American Board of Dermatology, discussed the unnecessary skincare that preteens purchase.
“When you are a kid, everything in your skin is working perfectly,” Dr. Waldman said, according to cbsnews.com. “It has a mechanism in place to exfoliate, to turn over, to do all the things it’s supposed to do, and so you don’t need any expensive fancy skincare.”
Drunk Elephant skincare has become increasingly popular due to its aesthetic and colorful packaging. Recently, kids have begun experiencing breakouts and infections due to these products, according to greenmatters.com. The company commented on this issue in an Instagram post from December 2023.
“Many of our products are designed for all skin, including kids and tweens,” the company said in their Instagram post. “Stay away from our more potent products that include acids and retinoids. Their skin does not need these ingredients quite yet.”
Featured Image by Ellie Furman ’26
