What is up with the tween skincare craze? An aesthetician’s take

Makaela Lampinen

Aesthetician

Lately, it seems like the tween skincare craze is everywhere. You may be seeing 9- to 12-year-olds in the aisles at Sephora, talking about the benefits of this moisturizer or that toner, and wondering why skincare products are suddenly so important to kids. Aesthetician Makaela Lampinen spoke with us on the tween skincare craze and what parents need to know.

Why are tweens suddenly so into skincare?

“A lot of beauty brands have come out with cool, fun skincare products that are being marketed to that younger demographic,” said Lampinen. “We’re seeing a lot of celebrities sponsored by brands or even just talking about their favorite skincare routines on social media, and kids get inspired by that.”

Cell phone use by younger kids, tweens and teens is already risky. Unregulated use of cell phones and access to social media can lead to issues with depression and anxiety or even be a tool for cyberbullying. It can also be a way for kids to discover new trends, including in skincare. Products used by their favorite adult celebrities, though, may include ingredients that aren’t good for kids.

Do children, tweens and teens have different skincare needs than adults?

“We have different skincare needs in each new stage of life,” said Lampinen. “Acne, oily skin and clogged pores are more common issues for tweens and teens than they are for adults, so they’ll likely need products that focus more on oil control.”

Adults, on the other hand, tend to have drier skin, and so adult-oriented skincare products focus on hydration, anti-aging and maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

Are tweens more sensitive to skincare products than adults?

“Younger skin is still developing, and it can be more easily irritated,” said Lampinen. “Keep an eye on the products your child is using and how their skin responds to the ingredients.”

One way to check on whether a product might irritate your child’s skin is to have them use a small amount on the inside of their elbow for a “patch test.” Wait about two days and see how their skin reacts. If the area gets itchy, red or irritated, that same reaction is likely to happen on their face, too.

Can tweens safely use products with hyaluronic acid?

“Hyaluronic acid is usually safe for tween skin,” said Lampinen. “It’s super gentle and hydrating. A light moisturizer with hyaluronic acid in it might be a good choice for a tween looking to start up a skincare routine.”

Are there any skincare products tweens should avoid?

Lampinen noted that a lot of products, especially those aimed at teens who usually have much more oily skin, can be very drying or irritating for tweens.

“Anything with retinoids or retinol in the ingredient list would not be recommended for very young skin,” said Lampinen. “This can be way too harsh for tweens, and you’ll want to find something that is much gentler.”

What does a healthy skincare routine for a tween look like?

“You want to keep things simple but effective when building a healthy skincare routine for a tween,” said Lampinen.

She suggested a gentle cleanser to wash their face in the morning, followed by a lightweight oil-free moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher for during the day, and then the same gentle cleansing wash before bed along with a hydrating serum and moisturizer.

What are some recommended skincare products for tween and teen skin?

“Really, what matters is that the products are gentle, oil-free, hydrating and that your tween has sunscreen that rates at SPF 30 or higher,” said Lampinen. “Specific brands are less important than what ingredients are in each product.”