Social media is rife with bad advice from influencers touting the latest, greatest skin care regimen promising “glass skin”. Unfortunately, children are an increasingly lucrative target of skin care companies tapping into childhood insecurities and elusive pursuit of flawless, poreless skin. Preteens with minimal skin oil production and thinner skin are particularly prone to having a negative reaction to an unnecessary mult-step routine.
There are several key reasons why children should avoid complicated skin regimens:
Sensitive Skin:
- Children’s skin is generally more delicate and sensitive than adult skin. Their skin barrier, which protects against irritants, is still developing.
- Harsh ingredients in complex skincare products can easily irritate young skin, leading to redness, dryness, itching, flaking, burning and other adverse reactions.
Potential for Damage:
- Strong active ingredients found in anti-aging or targeted treatment products, like retinol, potent acids (AHAs/BHAs), and high-concentration vitamin C, can disrupt the natural balance of a child’s skin.
- Repeated exposure to active ingredients can lead to long-term skin sensitivities and potential allergic rashes.
Unnecessary Products:
- A simple routine of gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen application is typically sufficient for children’s skin.
- Children’s skin already naturally possesses ample collagen and elastin, making anti-aging products and similar treatments unnecessary and potentially harmful.
- Many complex regimens focus on addressing adult skin concerns, which are not relevant to children.
Risk of Overuse:
- Children might not understand the proper application and frequency of use for various skincare products, increasing the risk of overuse and skin damage.
Focus on Simplicity:
- A simple routine of gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen application is typically sufficient for children’s skin.
Core Dermatology recommendations for young skin:
- Gentle cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Acne-prone skin
- Salicylic acid or Benzoyl peroxide cleanser once daily
- Differin gel nightly
- Light-weight moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Over-the-counter ingredients to avoid (unless recommended by a Dermatologist)
- Retinoids (Retinol, Retin-A, Retinyl Palmitate)
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) (e.g., Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid)
- Fragrances (Synthetic and Some Essential Oils)
- Products with multiple botanical ingredients
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) greater than 8%
- Exfoliating scrubs
- Alcohol based products