Is TikTok’s Skincare Craze Putting Your Tween’s Skin at Risk?

Social media platform TikTok has sparked the latest craze for tweens – adult skincare.  

Influencers and brands are introducing serums, creams, and beauty routines to children as young as 10 under the allure of radiant skin and peer approval. 

But behind the glossy screens of influence lies an emerging dilemma: could these products (meant for adults) be harming their delicate skin? And does being drawn into the world of adult skincare too early come with risks to young skin health and self-image? 

The hidden dangers of adult skincare for tweens  

Using products meant for adult skin can disrupt the delicate balance of tween skin and lead to problems. The most common adverse effects include increased breakouts, irritated skin and hyperpigmentation.  

To understand the risks, we turned to Cosmetic Doctor Phoebe Jones from Restoration Medicine, who explains: "The onset of puberty gives rise to changes in the skin and there are many skin disorders that tend to become symptomatic at this age.” She adds, “using adult formulations can make the skin worse. For example...retinol is known to be useful for the treatment of acne (in adults) ...but if a young person with acne tries to use it, it could lead to increased breakouts.”  

Disrupting the skin’s barrier  

Overdoing treatments on tween skin causes the skin’s barrier to become disrupted and irritated. “This is happening a lot with the overuse of peels” says Dr Jones, “and I’ve seen burns causing permanent scarring and hypopigmentation from some of these.”    

Dr. Bryan Pang from Sydney Dermatology warns against tweens overusing skincare products, as it can lead to eczema and skin peeling. “I am (also) concerned about the appropriateness of products such as night serums and eye gels for prepubescents and teenagers,” he says. 

Is the damage permanent?  

Regular use of inappropriate skincare can affect skin biology, but Dr. Phoebe notes the skin can usually recover with time and many treatments to repair the microbiome, skin barrier and calm down the inflammation.”   

TikTok's influence on gen-A 

TikTok is a major influencer of cultural trends, and swiping through social media feeds to discover them is not unusual for this generation. Ask most 10-year-olds about their favourite influencers and they will quickly rattle off a few names.  

The scope of influence TikTok has on this generation far outweighs recommendations from friends, brands and magazines, which are all previous key circles of influence. A US study reveals 89% of TikTok users have purchased products after seeing them on the app.  

Retailers' role in the tween skincare trend  

Beauty retailers such as Mecca & Sephora inadvertently contribute to the pulse of this skincare trend. While they are unlikely to encourage the sale of unnecessary products, they can influence the buying decision.  

As the skincare entry age has reduced to a generation still in primary school, it's crucial for retail staff to have good knowledge of the products they sell and are trained to provide age-appropriate recommendations.  

Parenting tweens in the age of social media 

As a mother to a tween girl, I often find myself negotiating access to the trending products and it is not always easy to say no when all the friends are talking about them.   

But how bad is this obsession?   

There are some inappropriate ingredients to avoid and yes, the cost of some of these trending products is more than I pay for my own (cough, more mature) skin. On the positive side though, we are seeing tweens practice self-care and learn how to look after their skin.  

Hairdresser and mum of two tweens, Lisa Buda agrees, “I think it is great for their confidence and hygiene to look after their skin from a young age, as long as the right products are being used.” However Connie Iaria, a mum of two girls, is concerned about potential exposure to harmful ingredients at a young age. 

The impact on self-image  

We asked tweens about their take on this skincare trend and the narrative was largely positive. It's about immersion in the latest trend, not hiding insecurities or building an unhealthy sense of self. The obsession lies in the sensory experience of the products: how they smell, feel, and look. Most tweens avoid products with the ‘bad ingredients’ as soon as they become aware of them.   

Avamaria is 10 years old and loves skincare hauls and influencer routines on TikTok and does her own daily routine because it “gives me energy and makes my face feel clean and refreshed.” Sophie (also 10) thinks skincare “is good for my age because it will keep my skin nice as I get older.” Eleven-year-old Tiana loves her watermelon moisturiser because it “hydrates my skin and makes it glow.”   

Doctors evaluate the trending tween products 

Dr Phoebe and Dr Pang reviewed the ingredients and suitability of the top products tweens have or want right now: 

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser  

Dr Phoebe: “I like the ingredient list...contains antioxidants, gentle exfoliants and calming ingredients. The fragrance could be an irritant...but less than 1% of the population are fragrance sensitive.”  

Dr Pang: “Hyaluronic acid, gluconolactone (and) willow bark extract all seem reasonable, however tea tree extract has potential risk of contact allergy dermatitis...as a result of the fragrance.”  

Drunk Elephant O-Bloos Rosi Drops  

Dr Phoebe: “There doesn’t appear to be any harmful ingredients in this product... (however) most young people would naturally have this (rosy glow). Sappanwood bark provides the pigment.”   

Dr Pang: “This is (like) a liquid blush. It is fragrance-free, which is good and has multiple botanicals. The risk of irritation and allergy is very low.” 

A call for age-appropriate skincare labeling  

Whether we love it or hate it, the tween skincare trend is not ending anytime soon. The key is to help tweens balance influence and their lack of discernment, with experimentation and education of responsible use, and this duty of care needs to start at home.  

The question arises: Can product labelling include age ratings, such as ‘suitable for 9+' or 'not for under 18’, to help guide tweens and set age-based use boundaries?  

Dr. Pang believes that age-appropriate labelling can guide tweens toward suitable products and reduce the risk of adverse effects. Dr Phoebe agrees. “As a general guideline on packaging it would be useful, but I don’t think it should be made a law.”  

Call to action

Do you think skincare manufacturers should include age ratings on their labelling?   

This article was original published by Sydney Morning Herald

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