Children damaging skin with adult skincare products from social media trends

Dermatologists are calling for stronger regulation and clearer warning labels on adult skincare products after a rise in children damaging their skin by following trends on social media. The British Association of Dermatologists says that marketing strategies are increasingly targeting younger audiences, with anti-aging products being promoted to children as young as four or five. One 13-year-old girl, Sienna, used a product containing retinal, a form of vitamin A often found in anti-aging creams, and it damaged her skin barrier, taking months to heal. She now wants to educate others about the risks of children adopting adult skincare routines. While marketing to children is already regulated in the UK, experts argue that more needs to be done to prevent brands, retailers and platforms from normalising the use of such products among pre-teens and teenagers. The concern is that children are not just mimicking adults but are actively using products designed for mature skin, which can cause irritation, chemical burns and long-term damage. The story highlights a growing problem where social media trends drive young people to buy and use products that are not suitable for their skin.