DETROIT – Skincare is a booming $200 billion industry, and brands are increasingly targeting kids through TikTok and Instagram influencers.
Many teens and preteens are trying products promising miracles, inspired by influencers with seemingly perfect skin.
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Shyla Green, an eighth-grade scholar athlete from St. Clair Shores, shared how she started asking for skincare products she saw on TikTok and Instagram.
“They made the models look really good,” she said.
However, Shyla soon experienced negative effects.
“I started to break out and get really dry and flaky,” she said. Despite this, she kept using the products, thinking, “maybe it’s my skin adjusting to it or something.”
Her condition worsened.
“It got pretty bad,” Shyla said. “It was like scary. I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, how am I going to fix this? Is this going to be permanent?’”
Shyla’s mother took her to Dr. Shauna Diggs, a cosmetic dermatologist in Grosse Pointe who owns CosmedicDerm.
Dr. Diggs explained that many skincare products marketed to young people contain harsh ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) that can irritate sensitive skin, especially when layered in multiple products.
She emphasized that young skin often does not need complex routines or strong exfoliants, which can cause redness, itching, and damage.
What ingredients are safe or not for kids
Dr. Diggs highlighted some ingredients safe for young skin, including hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which are moisturizing and gentle.
Vitamin C, while a great antioxidant, can be irritating to young skin and is generally not necessary.
Exfoliants and retinols, such as Retin-A, are not recommended for preteens and teenagers unless treating specific acne conditions, as they can cause redness, itching, and dryness.
Hydroxy acids like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid should be used cautiously. Salicylic acid may be appropriate for localized acne in older kids.
Double cleansing and using clarifying lotions or toners are generally discouraged for young skin, as they can strip natural oils and cause irritation.
Parents urged to be cautious and informed
Dr. Diggs also warned parents to watch out for makeup products marketed to kids that may contain exfoliants or hydroxy acids.
She advises thorough research on ingredients, trusting online reviews from credible sources, and consulting a dermatologist before trying new products.
The skincare industry is a $200 billion market aggressively targeting kids through social media influencers, which can lead to unsafe product use. Parents are encouraged to research ingredients carefully, consult dermatologists, and be skeptical of miracle claims seen online.
Dr. Diggs has developed her own skincare line designed for all ages and skin types, inspired by her experience with her daughters. Parents like Bry Green, mother of two teens, stress the importance of educating kids about the reality behind social media filters and the need to verify product safety.
More information on Dr. Shauna Diggs and her skincare line can be found here.