Parents: This skincare is both safe and not safe for your teenager

Has your child suddenly started talking about skincare? You're not alone! On social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, there's a trend among children, teenagers, and young adults. So, you probably didn't just stumble upon this blog post. Skincare for teenagers can be harmful! You can read why here. And also how you can keep your teenager satisfied with safe, mild skincare products.

Thanks to TikTok & Instagram, there is a new hype among Dutch teenage girls: skincare. Young people (10-13 years) watch videos on social media and start using skincare products themselves.What should you as a parent pay attention to? And which skincare products are safe for your child? Where does this trend come from? Read on!

The skincare hype among young people and teenagers in the Netherlands has blown over from America. Skincare products with beautiful colorful packaging that are seen with TikTok creators are very popular. Especially the store Sephora is popular among young girls, from which the term 'Sephora-kids' has come (we do not have a branch in the Netherlands).

TikTokers make fun videos in which they share their beauty routines. Young girls like to imitate what they see online and have little understanding of the content of these products.These products often contain high concentrations of active ingredients, which can be harmful to young skin. 

Skincare for teenagers can have adverse effects. Using too much or aggressive skincare can damage the skin barrier. This can lead to redness, impurities, sensitivity, itching, dryness, and uneven skin texture. Pay particular attention to the following types of products:

It may sound obvious, but young people do not need anti-aging products.No matter how beautiful and colorful the packaging may look, some anti-aging products are harmful to young skin. These products are designed to reduce wrinkles. 

Ingredients such as retinol (Vitamin A) stimulate cell renewal to combat skin aging. The use of retinol is only advised from 25 years. Young children should avoid this ingredient. 

Anti-aging products that are only moisturizing are not harmful. 

Some skincare products contain fruit acids (AHA/BHA). These peelings remove dead skin cells and renew the skin to improve the texture.A young skin does not need this yet. 

The acids actually make the skin more sensitive to, for example, sunlight. In addition, they can irritate the young skin and damage the skin barrier. Do you know your skin type based on UV sensitivity? It's important for both you and your child to know this. Check out the handy infographic and discover your skin type!

Products that fight acne may be unsuitable for teenage skin. Most of the products you buy at the drugstore against acne are very aggressive. Cleansers and spot treatments contain irritating ingredients that can dry out the skin. These products can even worsen the symptoms. Avoid this at all times.

How acne looks varies per teenager. Some suffer from a few small spots, while others experience it more severely. For mild cases, we advise not to use all kinds of aggressive products, as this can damage the skin. Always use mild skincare products that do not irritate your skin and keep your sebaceous glands clean.

For young people with severe acne, it is wise to consult a (general) doctor or dermatologist. These experts can provide you with good advice and solutions. This prevents the skin from becoming even more irritated by the wrong products. 

Scrubs are products that remove dead skin cells. Hard granules are rubbed over the skin and provide physical exfoliation.However, this can damage the skin barrier, which is why we advise against the use of scrubs for young people. So don't do it!

There's a good chance that your teenager(s) also want to join the skincare hype. Kids talk about it at school, watch videos from TikTok influencers, and share videos on their own TikTok. You want the best for them, because there are skincare products that are suitable!

There are certainly products that are safe to use for young people. With skincare, less is really more! A simple skin routine consists of a cleanser, day cream with SPF, and a night cream. This also has benefits for young skin, provided you use the right products.

Cleaning the skin has many benefits. It helps to remove traces of dirt, sebum, and makeup. Using a gentle cleanser can also help to reduce (emerging) impurities.

It is important that the cleanser does not contain aggressive ingredients and keeps the skin balanced. We therefore advise teenagers to use cleansers that are suitable for sensitive skin and focused on hydration. This maintains the correct pH value and supports the skin barrier. 

It is best to cleanse the skin in the evening. It can also be done in the morning, but this may not always be necessary for young people.

A day cream with SPF is a very valuable addition to the skincare routine, even for teenagers! These day creams are hydrating and protective. Protecting young skin from the sun is essential, as UV rays can cause skin damage. 

A night cream restores your skin in the evening after cleansing. It nourishes the skin and replenishes its moisture level. For teenagers, we recommend choosing a night cream that supports the skin barrier and hydrates the skin. These products are also suitable for daytime use.

Ask your children what skincare they are currently using or want to use. This gives you insight into the type and amount of products. As mentioned before, for skincare: less is more. More products than a cleanser, day cream with SPF and night cream (moisturizer) - (except for an extra serum) are not necessary. 

You can always patch-test products on the inside of the arm. This allows you to see if there is a reaction to the product before you start using it. This way, you avoid unpleasant surprises and reactions on the face. 

The drugstore is full of skincare products in the most colorful packaging. However, these products can also contain harmful ingredients such as alcohol, perfume, sulfates, and parabens. 

Pay close attention to whether the skincare is free of these ingredients or look for alternative brands that do not use these substances. 

Lastly, we want to emphasize that as a parent, you don't have to be strict, but you should keep an eye on your teenager's skincare use. Guide them where necessary and help them choose the right skincare.

Explain that the products they see on TikTok are not always good for their skin. Show interest and ask why they ask for certain products.Look for alternatives, so they can still participate in a safe and responsible manner.