New product releases will often get picked up by the internet and thrown into an online hierarchy where they can gain immense amounts of popularity in the span of hours. It’s not a surprise if the next new thing is another overhyped water bottle or a fashion trend. These new innovations always seem to attract a certain age group- pre-teens. For people so young to be interested in things that would be targeted towards an older group of people seems peculiar. People are starting to realize the odd attraction that pulls these children towards growing trends, and how this attraction can possibly bring harm to those who are involved. 

Kids have always looked up to those around them, learning their mannerisms and adapting to  how they act. Now, kids don’t only look to those around them but on social media trends as well. Having access to more trends unfortunately also tends to expose them to more mature things that would normally be targeted toward teenagers and adults. People want to grow up quicker because of what they see across social media, all the older kids being involved in things that younger kids look up to. “Societal pressures are expectations that affect the entire community, or specific parts of it,” (Dutta), children are commonly faced with these “societal pressures” and think that they have to grow up to fit in quicker. Every generation has mentioned that they were teased when they were younger because they acted like kids (even though they were), so sometimes they would act differently to act more “adult like”. Now the new generation has experienced the same teasing, the only difference being they can actually acquire and partake in the things that those older than them are doing. 

“Kids who have the perfect clear face because they haven’t even reached puberty yet are buying expensive products that aren’t meant for their bodies”

Store workers and parents are now seeing an abundance of children storm these make-up/skincare stores to try and get the latest trend. Skincare has taken first place on the podium in the eyes of children, but is something basic that many older people.. Kids who have the perfect clear face because they haven’t even reached puberty yet are buying expensive products that aren’t meant for their bodies. People tend to shy away from this issue because it doesn’t seem like such a major problem, but they don’t realize that it could grow into a much larger conflict. It’s not an issue if kids want to wash their face with cleanser and then maybe moisturize after to prevent dry skin, the problem is when they are using products that contain harmful chemicals for young children. 

Dermatologist Dr. Zabo supports this by explaining how “they have a lot of irritation on their skin — and it’s because they don’t need any of those products in the first

place”. These kids don’t need such heavy products on their face because it will cause them more harm than good. They shouldn’t feel the need to buy such expensive products that will not do anything to help them, just because those that they look up to use them as well. 

Children aren’t all to blame in this skincare epidemic, their parents should also face these repercussions. These adults should be aware of what their children are involving themselves, enough to make sure that they don’t have access to hurtful products. They are now too lenient when it comes to buying whatever their children desire, which leads to the kids thinking they can have anything they want. Neither the adult or child are taking the time to actually do their own research on what they are applying on their face. Something as simple as Retinol, that people around the ages of 25+ use, is being used by people that can’t even drive yet. 

Dr. Angela Twist explains “your reticular dermis – that’s the thick, lower layer of the dermis (the middle segment of your skin) – is still developing and producing more collagen. So trying to boost this even further is superfluous.”  People in their teens are still fully developing their facial protection and their cell growth, retinol can cause damage to that growing skin barrier because it’s not fully present yet. Instead of “getting glass skin”, it just creates more irritation on their skin, doing the complete opposite of what it was intended to accomplish. 

Younger kids should not feel the looming pressure of society to not act their age. Everyone wants to grow up until they realize the responsibilities and the importance of childhood. The purpose of having a joyful childhood is it shapes the person, the innocence they lived through, those experiences can never be replicated again. Worrying about wrinkles over deciding whether to play with water balloons or ride a bike to the neighbors house is not something a 12 year old should have to decide between. 

Work Cited

McGeorge, Frank. “Dermatologist Q&A: Do kids, teens need complex skincare routines?” ClickOnDetroit, 20 December 2023, https://www.clickondetroit.com/health/2023/12/20/dermatologist-qa-do-kids-teens-need-complex-skincare-routines/. Accessed 13 February 2024.

“What the teen craze for anti-ageing products could really be doing to their skin.” The Independent, 18 January 2024, https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/anti-ageing-skin-teen-children-retinol-products-b2480162.html. Accessed 13 February 2024.