Teenagers and Skincare
Tweens and teenagers are diving headfirst into the skincare scene. They’re flocking to beauty counters with their enthusiasm for elaborate 10-step routines once reserved for adults. But behind the glossy facade of 'Sephora kids' and their viral TikTok skincare sagas lies a problem.
This is a world where your Insta or TikTok feed, or more accurately an algorithm, dictates your skincare routine. There is a constant exposure to the trending world of beauty hacks, multi-step regimens, and luxury skincare hauls.
The catch? A troubling mix of skincare misinformation and overenthusiastic experimentation, leading to avoidable skin problems like sensitivity and breakouts, and a rising concern among dermatologists and cosmetic chemists.
Social media blurs the line between helpful tips and harmful trends. From misusing potent ingredients to DIY treatments gone wrong, it is a double-edged sword. It’s become all-too-easy to self-diagnose online or go for a viral trend that doesn’t have any science behind it. You’re then nudged along by eye-catching product designs and marketing messages that play on insecurities.
We need to talk about the power of social media and marketing. Tweens and teenagers do not need to do more than cleanse, moisturise, and wear sunscreen. The journey to healthy skin should be as safe and evidence-based.
See our summary slides below:
You might have seen it all over the media recently - the EU is apparently banning retinol?! What is going on?
Well don't panic - retinol isn't disappearing completely! Instead, there are new rules that are going to regulate its percentages in cosmetic, over-the-counter products - and this does not apply to the use of these vitamin A derivatives (prescription retinoids) by healthcare professionals.
So let’s explore what’s happening.