Social media is brimming with advice and product recommendations, and many young people are eager to try the latest skincare fads.
However, as a parent, it’s important to help guide your child through the vast world of skincare, ensuring they choose products and routines that are appropriate for their age and skin type.
Top Irish aesthetician, Eavann Breen, spoke to HerFamily about a key concern when it comes to young children, some as young as ten, showing interest in skincare.
As children go through puberty, which is starting earlier for many, their skin begins to change.
“We’re seeing ten-year-olds starting to go through puberty,” Breen explains. With puberty comes increased oil production, congestion, blackheads, and breakouts, which may make them curious about skincare solutions they see online.
While it’s natural for your child to want to address these skin concerns, Breen advises caution.
“You can’t just leave them to their own devices,” she says, pointing out that children should not dive headfirst into using harsh products without proper guidance.
In fact, introducing strong skincare ingredients too early or unnecessarily can do more harm than good.
For teens dealing with occasional breakouts or blackheads, Breen suggests a mild approach. “A little bit of a very low dose gentle salicylic acid is fine,” she says, but only if they are experiencing these issues.
Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in acne treatments that helps unclog pores and reduce breakouts.
However, if your child’s skin is generally clear and healthy, there’s no need to incorporate this or any other active ingredients into their routine.
“If their skin is fine, they don’t need salicylic acid, they don’t need any acids whatsoever or any actives,” Breen advises.
Parents should be particularly wary of more potent skincare ingredients, such as retinol. Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, is often touted as a miracle ingredient for anti-aging and acne prevention.
However, Breen warns against using it too soon: “I would say you really don’t need to start introducing the likes of retinol until you’re well into your late teens - I’m talking eighteen, nineteen, that kind of age group.”
Using retinol before the skin is ready can lead to irritation and damage, especially for young, delicate skin.
So, if your child is eager to try skincare routines they see online, it’s essential to approach it with balance and caution.
Encourage them to focus on simple, age-appropriate routines - like cleansing, moisturising, and applying sunscreen - and avoid unnecessary or harsh treatments.
