If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you might have come across the ‘Sephora Kids’ term—where children (yes, actual children) are dragging their parents into beauty stores, desperate to stock up on retinol, exfoliating acids, and £60 moisturisers because they saw it on TikTok.
If you’re a parent caught in the middle of this,
I can only imagine the battle: "But Muuuuuum, I neeeeed this anti-ageing serum!"
Meanwhile, you’re standing there thinking, You are nine. What exactly are we anti-ageing here?
And if your child is experiencing breakouts, it’s even trickier—you want to help, but at the same time, slathering their young, delicate skin in actives isn’t necessarily the answer.
So, is this just a harmless phase? Or are we walking straight into a barrier-destroying, over-exfoliating disaster?
Why Are Children Buying Skincare?
Gone are the days when kids just played with glittery lip balm. Now, they’re obsessed with double cleansing, layering serums, and tackling ‘fine lines’ that don’t exist yet. Social media has glamorised skincare, and young, impressionable kids are seeing 12-step routines and thinking, I need that too.
It’s understandable—who doesn’t want great skin? But the problem is, children don’t have the same skincare needs as adults. Their skin barrier is still developing, their oil production hasn’t quite settled, and most of their breakouts (if they even have them) are purely hormonal—which means no amount of expensive serums will ‘cure’ it.
Most of the time, you just have to ride it out.
Are Skincare Brands for Kids Clever or Completely Unethical?
Of course, where there’s demand, brands will follow. We’re now seeing a rise in child-targeted skincare lines, capitalising on this trend. But let’s be honest—do 8-year-olds really need a six-step skincare routine? Or are we just creating a new generation of product-dependent, over-exfoliated adults?
One issue for me is that when children are allowed to pick skincare products for themselves, sometimes they target the 'trendy' ranges. Brand such as The Ordinary (although ar not marketed to kids - just to make that clear) are a lot more affordable than some others. However, they might not be as well formulated and do contain actives. I've seen them selling 35% glycolic acid before (just for reference, you'd need around six 15% skin peels with me before you even begin on a 35% peel!)
This is where it gets worrying—because if you start messing with a child’s skin too soon, you can actually set them up for a lifetime of skin problems.
Using strong acne treatments too early can lead to barrier damage, dehydration, and sensitised skin—so by the time they reach adulthood, their skin is reactive, fragile, and struggling to function properly.
So, should we really be encouraging children to start using skincare at all?
What Should Children Actually Be Using?
If your child is adamant about having a skincare routine, keep it ridiculously simple:
A gentle, non-foaming cleanser (think cleansing lotions, not anything stripping)
A basic SPF every morning (because sun damage is the real enemy here - I personally recommend Nimue's Sun-C SPF 40)
A spot cream if absolutely necessary (honestly, even Savlon works)
That’s it. No exfoliating acids, no retinoids, no ‘brightening serums’—because, let’s be honest, their skin is already bright.
I do stock skincare in my clinic that’s designed for teenagers, but I wouldn’t recommend using it until at least age 13—and even then, only if they actually need it.
Skincare for Teens
For teens (and I mean teens) struggling with oiliness or breakouts, the Nimue Y:Skin range is a great starting point. It’s specifically designed for teenage skin—it is active but well formulated, effective and not too harsh.
Here are the products in the range. I would also say the Nimue Sun-C SPF 40 as well (but only for 13+):
Nimue Y:Skin Facial Wash – A gentle, soap-free gel cleanser that removes oil and dirt without stripping the skin.
Nimue Y:Skin Facial Balance – A light, hydrating moisturiser that soothes and protects.
Nimue Y:Skin Facial Care – A non-greasy moisturiser that helps with congestion and breakouts.
Nimue Y:Skin Purifying Mask – A clay-based mask that absorbs oil and calms breakouts.
Nimue Y:Skin Active Blemish Control – A spot treatment that reduces inflammation and controls breakouts.
Again—this is for teenagers, not 8-year-olds. Click here to order
Should Kids Be Getting Facials?
If your child is struggling with congestion (blackheads on the nose, for example), the occasional facial can help—but only to remove blockages, not to ‘treat’ their skin.
I’d never recommend peels, abrasive treatments, or strong actives for young skin. A good facial for a teen should focus on gentle extractions, hydration, and barrier support, not stripping the skin.
So Should Kids Be Using Skincare?
I completely understand why parents want to help their child feel confident in their skin. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is wait it out.
Introducing skincare too early, especially active ingredients, can cause more damage than good. If your child insists on a routine, keep it simple, and if they’re really struggling with breakouts, speak to a skin specialist before throwing acids at the problem.
What do you think about this trend? Should children be using skincare, or are we creating a generation of over-exfoliated, skin-obsessed kids?
Thank you so much for reading,
Emmaline
Comments