Increasingly, younger individuals are promoting anti-aging skincare products, specifically anti-wrinkle creams.
Social media is filled with individuals boasting about their flawless complexions, and they frequently recommend various skincare products. Interestingly, even young children are now promoting anti-aging products in the ongoing fight against blemishes and wrinkles, as warned by experts.
In today's digital age, countless individuals can be found on platforms like TikTok and Instagram displaying their comprehensive skincare routines, endorsing products to combat problem areas on the face. Surprisingly, even children in elementary school are sharing their beauty routines, demonstrating cleansing, applying serums, and massaging anti-aging creams. Meanwhile, teenagers can be seen shopping for cosmetics in drugstores and praising their benefits. However, professionals are cautioning against this cosmetic trend involving children.
"A fresh fuss point"
According to Professor Markenmanagement Karsten Kilian from the University of Wuerzburg-Schweinfurt, this trend is most prevalent in the United States. "However, in Germany, girls are reaching for products they don't need and that aren't intended for them," says the expert. A new hot topic has arisen in drugstores where children request beauty products instead of candy.
Similarly, Kerstin Etzenbach-Effers from the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center highlights potential hazardous ingredients in these products, such as retinol, fruit acids, or vitamin C. These substances can irritate, inflame, and cause eczema in children, she cautions. Since children's skin has a weaker barrier and a developing immune system, their skin is more susceptible to external irritants, environmental factors, and allergens. Some anti-aging creams also contain UV filters suspected of damaging the hormone system.
"An unneeded push"
Experts advise that less is more when it comes to skincare for children and teenagers. Children's skin does not require care, unless they have a skin condition, suggests Munich dermatologist Christoph Liebich. "In puberty, rich anti-aging care can even promote acne." Christiane Bayerl, a representative from the German Dermatological Society, concurs. "Anti-aging preparations are completely unnecessary but not harmful to children's skin."
Caution is emphatically necessary during puberty, as excessive skincare and improper makeup removal can contribute to acne. Wuerzburg expert Kilian also highlights other potential risks: "The focus on physical appearance can lead to a distorted self-image, lack of self-confidence, and low self-esteem. Socially, this cosmetic trend in children reinforces traditional gender roles, particularly the stereotypical representation of girls and women."
"Role-playing is typical"
It is common for girls to experiment with their mother's lipstick, high heels, and dresses or slip into different roles using children's makeup kits and costumes. "Children's makeup, children's perfumes, or colored lip balms are, thus, considered toys like crayons or balloons," says Bayerl. "There's nothing wrong with that."
According to a study conducted by the Industrial Association for Body Care and Detergents (IKW), young people aged 14 to 21 are already interested in cosmetics today. As suggested by IKW expert Birgit Huber, the growing interest in cosmetics is a response to psychological needs, such as a perceived loss of control. This desire for control over their appearance gives young people confidence in challenging situations like puberty or school stress.
"Pocket money spent on cosmetics"
Kilian is concerned by skinfluencers who promote skincare products on their channels, leaving children and young people eager to emulate their idols. Consequently, these individuals spend a large portion of their allowance on cosmetics and dedicate more time to skincare and makeup. "This fosters an unnatural notion of beauty," he explains.
Heavy makeup, image editing, and perfect lighting create fewer appearances of people with pimples or minor flaws on social media. A minor pimple is magnified in their mind, as they struggle to match up to the idealistic images they encounter online. Moreover, Munich dermatologist Liebich shares observations from his practice that young people frequently follow internet advice, explore numerous products for acne, and become disheartened when they don't yield results. "Children trust knowledge gained from TikTok more than from a specialist doctor," shares Liebich. "Convincing them is then necessary."
"Age indications on cosmetics useful?"
Bayerl finds home-mixing skincare creams on the internet problematic, given that preservatives do not ensure the creams' potency. "Nothing happens if you use them once," acknowledges the director of the Clinic for Dermatology and Allergology at the Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Clinics in Wiesbaden. However, the creams lack preservatives and can easily become contaminated with germs, creating an opportunity for skin infections. "I advise against 'DIY cosmetics.' I believe it's extremely dangerous for children," she warns.
Would age indications on skincare products aid in preventing children from using inappropriate products? "No," says consumer advocate Etzenbach-Effers. "Anti-aging products are already plainly unsuitable for children." In addition, enforcing age restrictions for such items remains a challenge, as is the case with oxidative hair dyes, which are only permitted from the age of 16. "Instilling into children that they are perfect as they are and they don't need cosmetic products to look beautiful is more effective than an age indication," concludes Etzenbach-Effers.
I'm not sure if age indications on skincare products would be effective in preventing children from using inappropriate products, as experts suggest that children's skin doesn't require care unless they have a condition.
Parents might be unsure about the appropriateness of various skincare products for their children, given the increasing trend of young children promoting and using anti-aging products.
