Last Updated on March 3, 2026 | Published: March 3, 2026 published by Jenny Tomei
We are seeing more and more skincare content on TikTok aimed at and watched by, children.
Products created for adult skin are becoming part of everyday routines for young people. I was shocked when I presented in a school on how much knowledge the young people had around skincare epecially collagen!
But what they did know, was that Korean collagen skin care mask being sold on TikTok, won’t be absorbed through the skin! Collagen can not be absorbed through the skin because it is too big a molecule. They were shocked because they were wasting their precious money.
Alongside the physical impact on skin, this also shapes how children think about their appearance and self-worth.
Young skin is still developing
Around the ages of 12 and 13, skin is still growing and changing. It is typically thinner, more sensitive, and more reactive than adult skin, and is strongly influenced by hormonal changes during puberty.
It is completely normal at this age to experience:
● spots or breakouts
● oiliness
● redness
● uneven texture
These changes are part of development, not signs that something is wrong.
When adult skincare is used on young skin
Many of the products trending on social media are designed for adult concerns such as acne treatment, anti-ageing, or skin resurfacing. When these products are used on children, they can be too harsh for skin that is still developing.
Some commonly seen ingredients include:
Retinoids and retinol Often promoted for acne or “preventing ageing,” these ingredients speed up skin cell turnover. On young skin, they can cause irritation, peeling, redness, and increased sensitivity, particularly to sunlight.
Exfoliating acids (such as AHAs and BHAs) Ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid are designed to exfoliate adult skin. In children, frequent use can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to stinging, inflammation, and worsening breakouts rather than improvement.
Fragrance and essential oils Many popular products contain fragrance to make them feel more appealing. For young
skin, this can increase the risk of irritation and sensitivity, sometimes with effects that last beyond childhood.
When reactions occur, children often assume the problem is their skin, rather than the product.
More products do not mean healthier skin
Social media often promotes the idea that skincare should involve multiple steps and constant improvement. This can quickly turn skincare into something that feels necessary rather than optional for young people.
In reality:
● more products increase the chance of irritation
● strong products are not always better
● over-treating skin can make it more reactive
Creating skin problems that were not there to begin with.
What young skin usually needs
For most children and early teenagers, skincare can remain very simple.
In general, young skin benefits from:
● gentle cleansing
● basic moisturising if needed
● sun protection when spending time outdoors
Strong exfoliants, anti-ageing products, and intensive treatments are designed for adult skin and are rarely necessary for children. Often, doing less allows the skin to regulate and settle naturally.
Childhood does not need to be a time spent fixing the body, and young people deserve the space to grow without feeling watched, compared, or pressured to change how they look. When pressure around appearance is reduced, confidence and self-acceptance are more likely to develop naturally, which helps to support long-term wellbeing.
Written by Andreja Grigaityte
Useful links:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67993618
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zm8f9ty
