What Sephora Kids Are Getting Wrong About Skincare
The rise of social media has gone hand in hand with generations of kids who are growing up fast. Now, pushed by their widespread access to information, the examples set by influencers, and the social pressure to be visible online, pre-teens are taking a keen interest in fashion and beauty. Case in point, we have the "Sephora kid" trend. Named, of course, after the popular beauty store Sephora, this trend sees kids and young tweens becoming hardcore beauty and skincare enthusiasts.
On TikTok, the hashtag #sephorakids has more than 10,000 posts, and according to data obtained by Glam, Google searches for "Sephora kids" have risen by 160% this month, while interest in "kids skin care" is up by 130%. People are also investigating specific brands, with queries like "Is Glow Recipe good for kids" rising by 80% and "Is Bubble skincare good for kids" rocketing upward by 200%.
It seems like the interest in child-friendly skincare routines is pretty clear, but is the "Sephora kid" trend really good for today's youth? We already know that skincare content from TikTok's SkinTok community can sabotage mental wellness, and that's not even considering what younger skin really needs to thrive. To find out more, Glam spoke exclusively to Dr. Brendan Camp, M.D., FAAD, a double-board certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology. Dr. Camp explained what so many "Sephora kid" enthusiasts are getting wrong about tween skincare and which products are actually best for young faces.
After a certain point, starting a skincare routine any earlier might not be all that beneficial
When beauty marketers deliver a stump speech on the importance of starting your skincare journey sooner rather than later, there's a kernel of truth there, as experts often tout the benefits of starting many products in your 20s. For instance, getting an early start on eye creams and other age-defying products can set your skin up for success in the battle against fine lines and damage down the road.
Following this logic, it's no surprise that skincare fanaticism is trickling down into younger age groups. After all, if it's good in your 20s, won't it be great in your teens? According to Dr. Brendan Camp, this isn't necessarily true. He tells Glam that the ideal age for a skincare routine has less to do with age and more to do with puberty and individual skin needs.
"A good time to develop a simple skincare routine is at the onset of acne, typically in the early teens," Dr. Camp exclusively tells us, but this doesn't mean jumping feet-first into a 10-step ritual. For tweens, less is often more, and Dr. Camp recommends starting simple: "A basic skincare routine for a teenager might consist of a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen or SPF moisturizer. If acne is an issue, an OTC or prescription acne medication can be added to this routine." When in doubt, tweens should begin with easy, reliable products and gradually add to their routine over time.
Not all skincare products and ingredients are right for younger skin
A lot of skincare and beauty products are designed to tackle specific skin types or concerns, and what's useful on one complexion may be too weak, harsh, or irritating for another. This can also apply across the age divide, with certain products providing a poor match for the fresh young skin of "Sephora kids." For example, Dr. Brendan Camp reveals that anti-aging products aren't particularly helpful for younger consumers. "Retinols, along with peptides, collagen creams, alpha-hydroxy acids, and vitamin C serums are ... probably unnecessary components in a teen skincare regimen," he exclusively tells Glam. Some of these concentrated products could even burn or irritate young, sensitive skin. In other words, 10 or 11 may not be the best ages to start using retinol and other intense skin treatments.
Dr. Camp does acknowledge that "retinoids, while often thought of as anti-aging products, are also used as topical acne medications" — usually with a prescription — but he notes that some retinoids, like adapalene, are available OTC, making them potentially available to tweens who don't need them.
Marketing also plays a role in misleading young consumers. While fun scents, flavors, and colors are naturally tempting to skincare kids, Dr. Camp warns that these are further no-nos. "Products with fragrances and dyes may be more appealing to use, but have more potential to cause skin irritation," he tells us. Instead, he suggests that interested young people "look for products labeled 'non-comedogenic' because they may be less likely to cause clogged pores."