Key TakeawaysSocial media users say they’ve noticed more preteens browsing and shopping for skin care at Sephora.Dermatologists say preteens should keep their skincare routine simple with a mild cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.Anti-aging ingredients like retinol, chemical exfoliants, and vitamin C could irritate younger skin.

Key Takeaways

Social media users say they’ve noticed more preteens browsing and shopping for skin care at Sephora.Dermatologists say preteens should keep their skincare routine simple with a mild cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.Anti-aging ingredients like retinol, chemical exfoliants, and vitamin C could irritate younger skin.

Andrea Gorlyn’s 12-year-old twin daughters, Sloane and Siena, are obsessed with skin care. So much so that they go to Sephora twice a week. From Drunk Elephant cleansers to Laneige lip balms, the two preteens are already shopping for products aimed at adult women.

They’re “Sephora tweens,” a label TikTokers use to describe 9- to 12-year-olds who make large, expensive purchases at the beauty store to fuel skincare routines that may seem years ahead of their time.

Infants and children typically have soft and smooth skin because the outer layer of the skin is thinner and produces less oil.However, this can make their skin more sensitive to the environment and prone to conditions likeeczema.

During teenage years, hormonal changes may increase oil production, which can lead to acne or excessively oily skin.As people reach early adulthood and hormonal fluctuations stabilize, they may start to notice signs of aging, such as fine lines and sun-induced hyperpigmentation.

There’s nothing wrong with having a skincare routine as a tween, but at that age, simpler is better, according toConnie Yang, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist at PFRANKMD in New York City.

“A tween should stick to a very basic three-step skincare routine consisting of a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen,” Yang told Verywell.

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Outside of this three-step regimen, additional skincare products can negatively affect a tween’s skin, depending on the ingredients.

“Most active ingredients such as retinols, chemical exfoliants, and vitamin C can be skipped, as these are not necessary until collagen production starts to decline in your twenties,” Yang said.

The aim of these ingredients is to accelerate cell turnover—a process that slows down with age—in order to address and prevent issues like fine lines, uneven skin tone, and texture irregularities.“Unnecessary exposure to active anti-aging ingredients can lead to irritation, allergic reactions, and increased skin sensitivity,” she said.

Alain Michon, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist and medical director of Project Skin MD Ottawa in Canada, said it’s best to steer clear of abrasive exfoliants, including cleansers containing tiny beads, as they can cause micro-tears in the skin.

“Other active ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are fine to use in small doses, but usually not necessary unless your tween needs the extra exfoliation to help remove dirt that is stuck in pores,” Michon said.

Michon added that hormonal acne may not come into play until one’s teenage years; that’s when their skincare routine can be supplemented with acne treatment.

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“[They] may want to try to work in an AHA-based exfoliator a few times a week if they’re over about 12 years of age,” Michon said. “The needs of each teen will vary a lot as the exact hormonal changes they experience and the effects on the skin will be different for each child.”

Cleansers with salicylic or glycolic acidcan help manage acne, but strong salicylates might be too harsh. If they’re experiencing more intense acne, a medical professional should be consulted.

“Though 2% topical salicylic acid over-the-counter poses no risk, higher concentrations should be avoided until age 20,” saidDeeptej Singh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder ofSandia Dermatology.

Oftentimes, your skin can tell you what’s working and what isn’t, Singh added.

“Allergic and irritant reactions can occur with any skincare product,” he said. “Monitoring your skin’s response is crucial in developing an effective skincare regimen, emphasizing the importance of discontinuing products that cause irritation.”

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What This Means for YouDermatologists say preteens can benefit from a simple skincare routine consisting of a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. However, unnecessary exposure to harsh ingredients like retinol and vitamin C could cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

What This Means for You

Dermatologists say preteens can benefit from a simple skincare routine consisting of a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. However, unnecessary exposure to harsh ingredients like retinol and vitamin C could cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kong F, Galzote C, Duan Y.Change in skin properties over the first 10 years of life: a cross-sectional study.Arch Dermatol Res. 2017;309(8):653-658. doi:10.1007/s00403-017-1764-xNational Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acne.Bay EY, Topal IO.Aging skin and anti-aging strategies.Explor Res Hypothesis Med. 2023;8(3):269-279. doi:10.14218/ERHM.2022.00030

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kong F, Galzote C, Duan Y.Change in skin properties over the first 10 years of life: a cross-sectional study.Arch Dermatol Res. 2017;309(8):653-658. doi:10.1007/s00403-017-1764-xNational Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acne.Bay EY, Topal IO.Aging skin and anti-aging strategies.Explor Res Hypothesis Med. 2023;8(3):269-279. doi:10.14218/ERHM.2022.00030

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kong F, Galzote C, Duan Y.Change in skin properties over the first 10 years of life: a cross-sectional study.Arch Dermatol Res. 2017;309(8):653-658. doi:10.1007/s00403-017-1764-xNational Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acne.Bay EY, Topal IO.Aging skin and anti-aging strategies.Explor Res Hypothesis Med. 2023;8(3):269-279. doi:10.14218/ERHM.2022.00030

Kong F, Galzote C, Duan Y.Change in skin properties over the first 10 years of life: a cross-sectional study.Arch Dermatol Res. 2017;309(8):653-658. doi:10.1007/s00403-017-1764-x

National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acne.

Bay EY, Topal IO.Aging skin and anti-aging strategies.Explor Res Hypothesis Med. 2023;8(3):269-279. doi:10.14218/ERHM.2022.00030

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