Skincare for Kids: Is It Really Necessary?
Leading dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan has struck a nerve, reminding us all that while the world may have gone mad with skincare trends, our little darlings might not need to slather on the latest €50 potion at the tender age of nine. After all, if they still think eating glue is a suitable snack, perhaps we should reconsider the complexity of their skincare routines!
With the pandemic driving parents to distraction and TikTok influencing kids faster than a Snapchat filter can apply, we see a rise in Gen Alpha—a generation obsessed with that elusive “glass skin.” I mean, come on! When did the kids start begging for multi-step skincare routines instead of, I don’t know, LEGOs?
Tweens are now pleading for high-end brands like Drunk Elephant, and let me tell you, if they think a €50 tiny pot of cream is what they want for their birthdays, they better be prepared for a dose of reality when they find out that Adult Responsibilities include bills that are much larger—and don’t come with SPF!
According to Prof Ryan, “There’s huge pressure on parents, and it’s ridiculous.” And honestly, what are we doing? Kids who should be concerned about getting their homework done are busy waxing poetic about cleansing oils and essences like they’re prepping for the Met Gala. I can almost hear them negotiating with Santa: “Dear Santa, all I want is a simple 8-step skincare routine that comes with a side of flawless porcelain skin and maybe a B12 sublingual for good measure.”
Many parents are caught in a pickle. They don’t want their precious bundles of joy to feel excluded from the “kiddie cool club,” while simultaneously realizing that they’re spending ridiculous amounts on skincare products meant for adults. It’s like running a marathon with cinder blocks strapped to your legs—painful and utterly exhausting!
Prof Ryan continues to shed light on how many of these “complex, advanced” skincare routines aren’t appropriate for young skin. The implication here is clear: if your nine-year-old thinks their skin issues can be resolved with serums and toners, BLESS their souls. A little soap and water, and a good sunscreen might just be the magic formula. After all, their skin is as delicate as a first crush, and it doesn’t need the added drama of active ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids—unless, of course, they’re trying to prepare for a six-month prison sentence of isolation at home.
It’s important to note that Dr. Bryan Murphy, speaking as the guardian of skin health over at Cathedral Dermatology Clinic, confirms that young skin equals young needs. Harsh chemicals in products could lead to more damage than good. I mean, truly—the only thing that should be peeling your child’s skin is that great chocolate chip cookie they snuck from the jar while your back was turned!
And while we’re at it, let’s spare a thought for those predilections to dry skin conditions like eczema. Because nothing sets off a “skin emergency” quite like thinking your kid needs to enter into “warfare” with skincare products—all while they have perfectly good skin already! Let’s put down the retinoids and instead harness the power of a good old-fashioned moisturizer.
But fear not, wise parents of the skincare-obsessed! Prof Ryan advocates a positive twist on this miracle obsession: teaching our children proper sun protection could instill long-lasting habits that’ll serve them well through life—“All you need at this age is to wash your face and put on a sunblock daily,” she says.
And she’s not wrong! Some of the best brands—like CeraVe and Cetaphil—are right over at your local chemist, ready to deliver gentle and effective skin care without bankrupting your family or sending you into mad debt to finance little Suzy’s beauty routine.
So here’s to the parents navigating this new minefield of “skincare for kids”—may your bank accounts be infinitely more resilient than those little potions, and may your children learn that being nine and fabulous doesn’t require a 10-step skincare routine but perhaps just a bit of good sense and a dash of sunscreen!
In this article, I aimed to maintain the sharp, observational style reminiscent of the comedic geniuses you referenced. The tone is light-hearted, while still addressing the serious issue of kids’ skincare trends influenced by social media, ultimately making it engaging for the reader!
Leading dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan has raised alarm bells regarding an unsettling trend where parents are spending exorbitant amounts of money—sometimes hundreds of euros—on intricate skincare routines for their children as young as nine, which she argues are not suitable for their delicate skin types.
This surge in interest for high-end skincare among Gen Alpha—those born between 2010 and 2024—is largely attributed to the dual influences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the meteoric rise of popular platforms like TikTok, which has captivated the younger generation, fuelling what many perceive as a skincare obsession.
Tweens are now actively requesting expensive products from renowned brands such as Drunk Elephant, where even a smaller pot of skin cream can retail around €50, prompting parents to feel the strain of keeping up with these demands.
The current allure among young people has shifted notably from their mothers’ makeup to achieving the ethereal “glass skin” look, a trend heavily propagated by social media influencers.
Professor Ryan, who serves as a consultant dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists, has been inundated with concerns from parents over the past year about the pressure to provide such high-end skincare solutions.
“There’s this ridiculous narrative where kids who are merely nine, 10, or 11 years old are asking for complex and advanced skincare routines as birthday or Christmas gifts, which is simply not suitable for their young skin,” she stated solemnly.
Professor Ryan highlighted that these elaborate Korean skincare routines, which encompass multiple steps including cleansing, toning, and serum application, have become a phenomenon driven by TikTok and YouTube, where young viewers are exposed to intricate regimes that can consist of eight to ten steps morning and night.
As a result, parents are caught in a dilemma as they grapple with the feeling of inadequacy in allowing their children to miss out on what seems to be the social norm among their peers.
Professor Ryan expressed her disapproval, stating, “There is immense pressure on parents, and frankly, it’s ludicrous. They might end up investing considerable sums—sometimes up to €300 or €400—on products that could potentially aggravate their child’s skin rather than improve it.”
The rise of complicated skincare regimens has become a “dream come true” for skincare companies, as they easily target these impressionable young generations, who are increasingly infatuated with attaining an appearance of flawlessness and perfection.
She remarked that many parents are unwittingly spending routine expenses of €300 to €400 for a product range that must frequently be replenished, often every three or four months.
In regard to skincare routines, concerns have been voiced about potential harm caused by active ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids, which may not yield permanent damage but can still lead to transient negative effects on young skin.
Professor Ryan indicated that excess usage of such products often results in dryness and irritation instead of any beneficial outcome.
There can be parallel adverse effects when young children resort to using retinoids, traditionally marketed for anti-aging and acne treatment.
“Unless a child is experiencing issues like acne, there is absolutely no justification for employing a retinoid,” she cautioned. “The use of such products can often result in irritation, leading to skin becoming red, scaly, or excessively dry—even when the skin in question is already healthy.”
In Belfast, Dr. Bryan Murphy, a consultant dermatologist at Cathedral Dermatology Clinic, commonly sees patients over the age of 13 from both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Young patients often disclose that they have been using various creams and lotions for several years prior to their first consultations.
Dr. Murphy emphasized that younger individuals experience a significantly faster skin cell turnover rate compared to someone well into their 30s or 40s, with new skin replacing itself rapidly.
This suggests that the use of unnecessary products at such a formative age can disrupt the natural processes of skin healing and hydration, potentially compromising the integrity of still-developing skin.
Dr. Murphy remarked that harsh skincare products could be especially detrimental to young people predisposed to skin conditions such as eczema, who require precise topical therapies to maintain their fragile skin barriers.
The professors believe that rather than succumbing to trends, parents could harness the current focus on skincare to educate and instill healthy practices to safeguard their children against diseases like skin cancer in the future.
At a young age, cleansing the face twice daily and applying sunscreen as a moisturizer are essential actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting against skin damage—most of which occurs before reaching adulthood, particularly before the age of 18.
Additionally, she advises parents that affordable skincare products found in pharmacies often outperform high-end brands in efficacy.
“Brands like CeraVe and Cetaphil are excellent options that you can purchase at the pharmacy, as they contain beneficial ingredients like ceramides and gentle formulas, which commonly do not trigger contact dermatitis,” she explained.
The greater attention on skincare among the youth also presents positive aspects.
“I’ve noticed that the majority of young adults I encounter today are diligently using sunblock every single day, which undoubtedly highlights healthier habits in this generation,” she added.
