Young girls are increasingly using anti-aging products they see on social media, leading to skin damage and mental health issues. Learn about the risks and how to protect your child.
Young girls across the country are increasingly drawn to anti-aging products they see promoted by influencers on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Unfortunately, many of these products are not only inappropriate for their young skin but are also leading to harmful effects that go beyond the physical—affecting their mental health as well.
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A Growing Trend Among Young Girls
Take Scarlett Goddard Strahan, for example. At just 10 years old, she and her friends were already spending hours watching beauty influencers online, eager to achieve the trendy “glowy” and flawless complexion that seemed so coveted. By the time she turned 11, Scarlett had developed an elaborate skin care routine involving adult-strength products meant to combat wrinkles and signs of aging.
But what started as a quest for beauty quickly turned into a painful lesson. Scarlett’s skin began to burn intensely and erupted in blisters after heavy use of these products. Months later, she still deals with the aftereffects, including patches of tiny bumps on her face and heightened sensitivity to sunlight.
Scarlett’s story is becoming all too common. Dermatologists are now seeing more young girls with rashes, chemical burns, and other allergic reactions from using products not intended for their sensitive skin. The hashtag #SephoraKids captures this trend, where girls as young as 8 are flocking to beauty stores to purchase high-end skin care products.
The Physical and Mental Toll
Dr. Brooke Jeffy, a dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona, warns that the use of anti-aging skin care products can actually cause premature aging, damage the skin barrier, and lead to permanent scarring in children. Ingredients like retinol and chemical exfoliants, commonly found in these products, are too harsh for young skin, leading to severe reactions.
But the harm goes beyond the physical. Parents and child psychologists are increasingly concerned about the mental health implications of this trend. Research suggests that a fixation on appearance, especially during formative years, can negatively impact self-esteem and body image, potentially fueling anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
In an age of social media, where filtered images and artificial intelligence create unattainable beauty standards, young girls are bombarded with unrealistic ideals. Kris Perry, executive director of Children and Screens, emphasizes that the magnitude of this exposure is unprecedented. “Girls are being bombarded with idealized images of beauty that establish a beauty standard that could be very hard—if not impossible—to attain,” she says.
The Role of Social Media
For many young girls, the obsession with skin care is not just about achieving perfect skin. It’s about feeling accepted and belonging to a community. Fourteen-year-old Mia Hall from the Bronx explains that skin care became a significant part of her social life after she started eighth grade. Influencers like Katie Fang and Gianna Christine, with their millions of followers, made it seem like achieving flawless skin was not just desirable, but essential.
Mia and her friends saved their allowances for trips to Sephora, buying luxury products and spending hours on skin care routines. However, the level of detail and information provided in beauty tutorials sends a troubling message: that girls are never “good enough” the way they are, and that they are a constant project in need of improvement.
The Beauty Industry’s Responsibility
The beauty industry has capitalized on this trend, with consumers under 14 driving a significant portion of skin care sales. Despite the risks, there has been little effort from companies to prevent young girls from purchasing products that are not suitable for their age group. Some brands, like Drunk Elephant, have warnings on their websites advising against the use of certain products by children under 12, but these warnings are often buried in FAQ sections and not prominently displayed on the packaging.
Efforts to regulate this have faced challenges. A California bill aimed at banning the sale of anti-aging skin care products to children under 13 failed to pass this spring, but advocates like Democratic Assemblymember Alex Lee are determined to continue pushing for accountability in the industry.
A Call for Awareness and Action
Parents are increasingly stepping in to protect their children. In some cases, they are seeking advice from dermatologists, while others, like Mia’s mother, Sandra Gordon, are taking matters into their own hands by discarding their child’s harmful products. Mia, now in high school, has returned to a simple skin care routine, using just a face wash and moisturizer, and her complexion has improved.
Scarlett’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of awareness and caution. Her mother, Anna Goddard, wishes she had known more about the potential dangers of these products before allowing her daughter to use them. “There has to be some type of warning,” she says, emphasizing the need for better education and stricter regulations to protect young consumers.
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