Skincare is supposed to help you glow, not leave your face burning and peeling. But that is exactly what is happening to more and more girls under 12, thanks to TikTok trends pushing anti-aging products.
In 2023, American families with tweens bought over 27% more skincare than the year before. And teens? Even more! Nearly 29%.
It sounds harmless at first. A kid watches a fun “get ready with me” video, then heads to Sephora to grab the same moisturizer or serum. But some of these products aren’t made for young skin. They are made for women fighting fine lines and sun damage. So, when an 8-year-old slathers her face with retinol, it is a chemical disaster waiting to happen.
Skincare Content is Taking Over Kids' Screens
Kid influencers film routines, review new products, and show off their hauls. The videos feel personal. Safe. They are often filled with soft music, glowing skin, and friends sharing tips. Girls bond over what cleanser they are using or which mask gives that perfect “glassy” finish. The comments cheer them on. The likes pour in.
But for many girls, it quickly becomes something else. Ten-year-old Scarlett spent hours watching skincare videos and trying to copy routines built for adults. She used fancy cleansers, masks, and creams every day.
Soon, her skin started burning and peeling. Blisters formed. The marks lasted for months. All because of products her skin didn’t need and couldn’t handle.
The Wrong Skincare Can Wreck Young Skin
Kids' skin is strong, but also sensitive. It has a healthy barrier that keeps out bad stuff and locks in moisture. That is what makes it look smooth and full. But harsh anti-aging ingredients tear that barrier down.
That Guy! / When the skin’s barrier breaks, irritants get in. The immune system panics. Redness, rashes, and inflammation follow.
That is when fibroblasts, the cells that fix damage, jump into action. They lay down scar tissue. And if this keeps happening, those cells might change how collagen forms.
Now, here is the scary part: Collagen gives skin its shape and bounce. In kids, it is soft and flexible. But when inflammation gets involved, collagen bundles form the wrong way. That can lead to long-term texture changes.
Skincare is Becoming a Popularity Contest
Some girls don’t even care that much about their skin. What they really want is to belong. Skincare, for them, is a way to connect with others. One 14-year-old said she uses her $20 weekly allowance to buy products just so she can talk about them with her friends. If you don’t have the right face wash or toner, you are out of the loop.
That is a lot of pressure. Social media videos make it worse. They send a constant message: “You’re not enough. But this $80 serum will help.” It is like a game with no finish line.
The more products you try, the more you think you need. For young girls, that can turn into jealousy, insecurity, and low self-esteem.
The Skincare Industry is Cashing in
Let’s not pretend this is all organic. Skincare companies know exactly what they are doing. They see #SephoraKids trending and start targeting younger customers. Cute packaging. Fruity scents. Pastel displays. It is all designed to feel safe and fun. But what is inside the jars is often not safe for tweens.
Gus / Pexels / Even dermatologists are seeing the effects. They are treating more kids with chemical burns, dermatitis, and skin barrier damage.
And guess what? Some of that damage might not go away. That is a high price to pay for keeping up with a trend.
What Can Be Done?
Parents need to pay attention. Ask your kids what they are watching. Look at the products they are buying. Teach them what healthy skin really looks like and what it needs at their age.
Schools can help too. Instead of banning phones, they could include media literacy in the classroom. Kids should learn to spot sponsored content and understand that influencers get paid to push products. Knowledge is power.