Dermatologists Sound the Alarm on Rising Skincare Use Among Children

The British Association for Dermatologists has raised concerns about the increasing number of children, as young as eight years old, using skincare products.

The surge in popularity of luxury goods is fueled by the impact of well-known internet personalities, including YouTubers and TikTokers, who endorse them. However, many of these items contain active components that are intended solely for adults, like exfoliating acids, which can lead to skin issues such as allergies and eczema. Sadie, an eight-year-old, stumbled upon these skincare videos on TikTok and developed an interest in products from Bubble and Drunk Elephant. The flower-shaped item from Bubble caught her eye, while Drunk Elephant's appealing packaging and extensive selection of products appealed to her.

Parents have been reaching out to BBC News expressing their concerns about their children's growing interest in skincare and the potential negative effects of social media and peer pressure. Drunk Elephant, a brand known for its eye-catching packaging and cute animal logo, is often featured in skincare-related content created by both adults and child influencers online. Social media platforms are flooded with skincare information, and videos demonstrating daily skincare routines have gained immense popularity, accumulating millions of views. A skincare-focused YouTuber has even curated a compilation of TikTok videos showcasing children using harmful products.

Beauty stores like Sephora and Ulta have been visited by content creators who have discovered that children often misuse the testers available in-store, leading to a rapid depletion of product shelves. The popularity of Drunk Elephant, in particular, has reached a point where its founder, Tiffany Masterson, has felt the need to warn "kids and teens" about using their more potent products that contain acids and retinol. Masterson emphasizes that these ingredients are not necessary for young skin. BBC News has reached out to Drunk Elephant for further comment. The brand's appeal has spread globally, prompting Sadie to ask her mother, Lucy, to buy the products after seeing her friends using them.

However, Lucy declined after realizing their unsuitability. Undeterred, Sadie turned to other family members who were less knowledgeable about the potential harm. Unfortunately, the products caused Sadie's skin to become itchy and red, leading Lucy to discontinue their use. Despite her interest in skincare, Lucy had never come across some of the brands Sadie desired.