A Dermatologist Weighs in on Tween Skin Care & the 'Sephora Kids' Trend
sarra22/iStockOnce upon a time, before there was social media and ten million tutorials about makeup and skin care on YouTube and TikTok, skin care for kids seemed pretty darn basic. Make sure they wash their face every night, grab some zit cream at the drugstore when the puberty pimples begin, and call it good! Now, we're living with the generation of the so-called "Sephora kids" where kids, tweens, and teens are both highly interested in all things beauty related and willing to make some pretty expensive purchases to emulate their favorite influencer's skin care routine.
Although it's cool to let kids explore their interest in all things skin care, many parents are rightfully concerned that children might be not only getting sucked into dangerous messages about the importance of beauty and potentially wanting to experiment with pricey products that can actually damage their young skin. (No 13-year-old needs an anti-aging serum!)
It can be a little overwhelming to figure out how to help kids and teens navigate the world of skin care, so we’re turning to an expert for some help. CafeMom reached out to a dermatologist, who is also happens to be a mom, for some skin care sanity.
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'Skin care is a form of self-care,' an expert says.
Parents of kids and teens who are interested in skin care should remember that all of us want to have skin that feels good.
According to Dr. Marsha Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist serving patients in New York and New Jersey, "It can be important to remember that skin care can be considered a form of self-care and focusing on healthy skin can be important at any age."
But that doesn’t mean we want to promote a message that there is such a thing as "perfect" skin or that taking care of our skin has to be an expensive, multi-step process.
Instead, Garshick tells us, moms should "emphasize that doing skin care as a kid should not be about making your skin look younger or a need to achieve 'perfect' skin. Additionally, it is not necessary or even recommended to buy very expensive products or have an extensive skin care routine to be able to achieve healthy skin — all it takes is a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen."
Gentle is key for young skin.
After watching a skin care tutorial (or 27), some kids are eager to dive into the world of masks and scrubs. This can be a fun solo or slumber party activity, but Garshick cautions that "it is important to avoid any harsh ingredients that may be too abrasive for the skin, no matter what the age."
That said, "a hydrating face mask may be considered OK to use for fun or a special occasion at any age, providing it's gentle on the skin," she explains.
What about when the hormones hit?
Although skin care can be as easy as gentle soap and water for young children, it's true that our tweens and teens might have skin that needs some extra love, especially when those hormones hit. Even though some of the "Sephora kids" might go for an aggressive approach at the first hint of a pimple, parents should help guide them to gentle products that won't strip their skin of natural oils and moisturizers that won't clog their pores.
For acute outbreaks, Garshick suggests products that include "ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and retinoids such as adapalene which can be found over-the-counter. The specific ingredient and product that is recommended may depend on the type of acne and overall skin type. For example, someone with sensitive skin may not tolerate benzoyl peroxide but may benefit from using a retinoid a few times per week."
Some produces should be avoided.
Our kids will have a lifetime in their skin, so it's important for them to treat it with love and care and to avoid products that are too harsh or designed for anti-aging treatments.
The no-go list from Garshick includes "products such as toners, face scrubs, serums as well as ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, exfoliating acids and other ingredients that are not necessary and may be too harsh on the skin."
The good news is that young people can learn to take care of their skin with gentle, over-the-counter products that feel good and don’t cost $75.
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