Dermatologists’ warning against the dangerous use of ‘fashionable’ creams by children – 01/27/2024 – Health

In fashion among children, the use of skin creams recommended for adults can leave them with dermatological problems, warns the British Association of Dermatologists.

Driven by advertising and influencers on YouTube and TikTok, children under 10 have been asking for beauty creams as gifts – but some of them contain ingredients that are harmful to children’s skin, such as exfoliating acids.

Used to combat skin aging, these acids should only be used by adults.

This is because they can cause allergic reactions, irritation and eczema.

British eight-year-old Sadie started watching skincare videos on TikTok.

She was particularly attracted to a product from the company Bubble. “When you press it, it makes [o formato de] a flower,” Sadie tells BBC News.

Other favorites of Sadie and other children in her age group are products from the American brand Drunk Elephant: “It’s because I really liked the packaging”, explains the girl.

British pediatric dermatologist Tess McPherson says it’s important that children have access to “information, not misinformation” about skin care.

“Many of these products are anti-ageing. They may be suitable for older skin, but should not be used by children. They can cause irritation at any age – but in childhood they are potentially dangerous or problematic,” explains McPherson, who represents the British Association of Dermatologists.

“For a child with eczema or sensitive skin, the damage can be significant. And many products have a lot of fragrances, which can cause allergies.”

The doctor is also concerned about the fact that the packaging is colorful and attractive to children.

“These are products sold as empowerment, but they actually take advantage of vulnerabilities,” he says.

BBC News received messages from several parents concerned about their children’s interest in skin care – and also about the influence of social media on this phenomenon.

With its colorful packaging, Drunk Elephant is one of the brands most present in content promoted by influencers – whether adults or young people.

But many of its best-selling products, which cost the equivalent of almost R$400 each, contain exfoliants such as alpha and beta hydroxide acids and retinol.

Beauty content does not face any type of control on social media. It is common for videos of “skincare” routines to receive millions of views. There are also reports of children and teenagers visiting stores like Sephora to test Drunk Elephant products.

‘Keep your distance’

Given the popularity of Drunk Elephant in this age group, the brand’s founder, Tiffany Masterson, had to ask, on social media, that “children and pre-teens stay away from our most potent products, which include acids and retinol”.

“Their skin doesn’t need these ingredients yet,” Masterson said.

BBC News asked the company to comment and is awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, fascination with the brand made Sadie’s friends buy the products – to the point where the girl “begged” her mother, Lucy, to buy them too.

Faced with her mother’s refusal, Sadie asked other relatives for the gift, who were less aware of the harmful potential of the products for the girl.

The result is that after using them, Sadie had red, irritated skin. Lucy decided to intervene.

“It’s very difficult, because that’s all she talked about (buying the products),” Lucy tells BBC News.

“Sadie likes to do (beauty routines) with her friends and feels left out when she’s stopped.”

Lucy ended up deciding to ban her daughter from using TikTok.

But many beauty content creators are also present on YouTube Shorts.

“Trying to educate an eight-year-old girl about skincare is very difficult when there are influencers she believes in more than anyone else,” laments Lucy.

“She’s my youngest daughter, and I didn’t think I’d have to worry about policing her skincare at that age. It feels like her childhood has been stolen.”