These days, young children have been using harmful skincare products just to keep up with the trends. Some may argue that kids should be able to use whatever products they want because they can express themselves through skincare. The truth is that kids should not use these products as they harm their young skin. Skincare brands’ profits have been skyrocketing due to millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. #TeenSkincare has gotten 26.4 million views on TikTok, influencing the younger generation to use the trending skincare products in “get ready with me” videos.
Products made from brands like Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, and Glow Recipe are made for adult and mature skin. Ingredients like retinol and peptides aren’t made for young and premature skin. If children use items with these ingredients, it can result in irritation and ultimately reverse the product’s intended effects. The upcoming generation of beauty influencers is now being called “Sephora kids.” Sephora is known to be very expensive and not somewhere to shop all the time. These kids have been going to Sephora and buying out all the creams and skin care products, mainly from Drunk Elephant. Drunk Elephant is known for its colorful packaging, which is very appealing to young children. Brands should move away from using vibrant packaging in their products to avoid the risks they impose on children. If the packaging weren’t as colorful and bright, fewer children would want to have them. Since these products have been out of stock, adults who want to try them for the benefits can’t get a hold of any.
Recently, children have been breaking out and getting infections due to the high potency of these products. A fellow student at Pennridge who knows a lot about skincare and is quite passionate about it, Bridget Sullivan, states, “It is very unhealthy for kids to use all those chemicals on their skin. They have no idea what those chemicals can make their skin look like in years to come.” Parents should work with their children to develop a healthy skincare routine, including only gentle cleansers, sunscreen, and a simple moisturizer. Julianna Casey, who also knows much about skincare, said, “If skincare products had such harsh chemicals, they shouldn’t be on the market for young children to buy.” As this is true, companies won’t be changing the ingredients of their products just because children who should be using them are using them. We as a society need to move away from exposing young children to such harsh products, which ultimately lead to rashes, acne, and possible allergic reactions.
