Tweens spending big bucks on products in skin care craze
A skincare craze has taken over social media, and the youngest generations are spending big bucks on multi-step routines. Parents may be wondering if this spike in interest is even benefiting their child’s complexion or their self-confidence. A skincare craze has spread on social media, with younger generations spending big on multi-step routines. However, experts suggest that this increase in interest may not be beneficial to their child's complexion or self-confidence. Dermatologist Dr. Apple Bodamer suggests that simple skincares should be kept in place for the sake of the body. He also warned that exfoliating products and retinols can be damaging to young skin. Experts suggest that younger influencers are using editing techniques or filters to share their skincage with the public. The trend is also being encouraged by post-doctoral researcher Dr. Angela Calvin who studies the use of social media on kid’s psychosocial development.
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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - A skincare craze has taken over social media, and the youngest generations are spending big bucks on multi-step routines. Parents may be wondering if this spike in interest is even benefiting their child’s complexion or their self-confidence.
“I’ve been like washing my face twice a day and then putting the oil on and I think it’s been helping and then a lot of these are like hyaluronic acid. Nice in the mind like face moisturizer,” 8th grader Amelia Pennewell said.
Amelia is a member of a young generation putting a priority on their skin.
The beauty industry has exploded with new skincare products that promise youthful results, but dermatologist Dr. Apple Bodamer says kids should keep their skincare simple!
“Before puberty, oil glands are really small, and they’re not very active. And so younger children really don’t need a whole lot of extra steps in their skin care routine,” Dr. Bodamer said.
Dr. Bodamer said many exfoliating products and retinols can be damaging to young skin.
“A lot of the anti-aging products that are being used by the teens and 20 somethings who might not quite need it at that point. But they’ve sort of gotten the message that they should be doing these things from very early on can be really irritating to the skin,” Dr. Bodamer said.
On TikTok, #skincareroutine has nearly 90 billion views, and #sephorakids has almost 700 million. Younger influencers are showing off skin care that might look like the perfect product, but experts say it’s important to think about what’s going on off camera.
“A lot of these influencers are using editing techniques or filters. A lot of them are getting free skincare products, you know, or promotions about it. So, I think it’s very good for parents to have that conversation about like it’s more than just a video there’s like a lot of editing and thought going into it involved,” UW Madison post-doctoral researcher Dr. Angela Calvin said.
Dr. Calvin studies the use of social media on kid’s psychosocial development and is not surprised by this skincare craze.
“I think at this particular age especially with preteens, there’s that’s a developmental age where they’re starting to, they’re just beginning to start to think more about their appearance and I think that is also the age where they tie appearance a lot to their self-worth,” Dr. Calvin said.
She said this kind of behavior is nothing new.
“Before social media, there are the magazines and looking at images of celebrities and looking at their skincare routine. So, I think it’s very similar to that,” Dr. Calvin said.
“I grew up in a household. There were four of us girls and one boy. We were always comparing ourselves and we were always appearance was a huge issue,” Amelia’s mom Meg Pennewell said.
Cosmetic companies capitalizing on insecurities is also nothing new.
“The reason why I purchase skin care, or my mom is I’m like, I get a lot of acne on my face and like my arms and things like that. So, like it’s mainly just to try and like contain that,” Amelia said.
Teens and tweens, or their parents, are dropping serious cash on skin care from stores like Sephora, and colorful brands like Drunk Elephant.
In 2023 alone, gen z’s spending on skin care increased by 23%, according to a recent study by Piper Sandler.
“I try to support anything that’s going to make her feel more confident and more comfortable. But there’s definitely a limit both financially and just in terms of what’s important,” Meg said.
But because beauty is only skin deep, Dr. Calvin encourages parents to listen to how teens are talking about themselves.
“Like so if they start to maybe be really self-critical about themselves, from what they see on Tik Tok, then it might be something to question more about and maybe be more concerned. But if it’s all just for fun and just sharing common interests with friends, I think it’s it’s all fun,” Dr. Calvin said.
Which for Amelia, is what it’s all about.
“I have like friends over and I’d be like let’s do face masks. So yeah, it is fun” Amelia said.
Dr. Apple Bodamer says for young kids, a gentle cleanser, a light moisturizer, and sunscreen are really the only skin care products they need. Of course, if there are other skin concerns like eczema or acne, she says it’s best to contact your doctor or dermatologist.
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