This Post: From Baby-Faced to Botox: The Anti-Aging Obsession Hitting Teens
Co-Written By: Marybeth Bock & Nancy Reynolds
If you’re the parent of a teen or tween girl, chances are, like so many other girls her age, she’s spending a lot of time scrolling through social media. What you may not realize, however, is what she’s being exposed to.
Near-constant face, body, and anti-aging product endorsements.
Beauty and wellness influencers who specifically target young, often naive users.
And, a myriad of “Get Ready with Me” (and other) TikTok make-up tutorials geared toward young girls and women that map out 15 “must-have” products to look your best and “age gracefully.”
Seriously? Age gracefully?
From Baby-Faced to Botox: The Anti-Aging Obsession Hitting Teens
What our young tween and teen girls today are seeing is much more than just cleansers for acne-prone skin and Billie Eilish’s current favorite lip gloss. Their reality is so far removed from the Clearasil or Noxema ads we saw in Seventeen magazine all those years ago.
Our kids are being introduced to skincare products and routines designed specifically for mature skin, and believe it or not, the anti-aging obsession they’re exposed to has them feeling pressured to start anti-aging skincare regimes before they even start high school.
Why Are Teens So Susceptible to “Influencer” Marketing?
According to one survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group, “Social media now plays a much more active role in the growing teen interest in beauty, with today’s teens discovering brands in places that were unknown to past generations – on TikTok, Instagram, and Google searches.”
The same survey also found that upwards of 75% of teen girls consume beauty content on social media at least once a day.
And, considering some studies have shown that Gen Z (kids and young adults ages 13-28) are the most likely to respond to influencers, all that targeted marketing seems to be paying off big time.
In fact, The New York Times recently reported that beauty stores like Sephora and Ulta are seeing a surge in new customers: tweens and teens jumping on the beauty bandwagon with an anti-aging obsession, often purchasing products meant for older, more mature skin.
There’s even a nickname for tweens and teens who have been influenced by social media to get into skin care: Sephora Kids. AND, there is a trend of young women… including those in their early 20s, getting Botox injections, often referred to as “baby botox,” to prevent future wrinkles.
But, here’s what our kids don’t realize…
According to a study in the journal Current Psychology, the way an influencer structures their interactive social media content affects the behaviors, attitudes, and choices of the teenagers in their audience.
They lure them in… often presenting themselves as relatable, likeable, and trustworthy. As such, a teen might begin to develop the feeling that they know and trust a media influencer personally, which makes them want to copy behaviors or model the actions they see.
According to the study, “Many teens are at risk of confusing influencer content with reality. But it’s important to remember that influencers work full-time to achieve a specific and desirable body image and lifestyle that are largely unattainable to most viewers. What’s more, many of the images posted by influencers have been professionally altered.”
How Being Bombarded with Skincare, Beauty, and Anti-Aging Obsession Regimes is Impacting Teens
It’s not all that surprising that teenage girls are becoming obsessed with skincare and beauty products. When you combine normal teen insecurities and anxieties about appearance and social acceptance with the flawless skin influencers promise they can have if they just buy the right products, many of them feel pressured to buy expensive – and often inappropriate items for their young skin.
In essence, many experts feel that the real issue is that social media is fueling teenagers’ insecurities.
In addition, the popularity of those social media “haul videos” that feature shoppers unboxing the items they’ve bought, describing each product, and sharing their thoughts on the purchases, can get teens hooked on the idea that “more = better” and lead them into spending (and wasting) a lot of money on unnecessary skincare items when basic care, in most instances, would suffice.
And teens and tweens may not realize that influencers and beauty vloggers are usually getting free products to hawk online, so the more they show and sell, the more they get in return. Plus, we all know that employees in makeup stores that teens love to frequent are not going to dissuade them from buying anything!
No Surprise Here: Our Teens are Being Heavily Influenced to Use Products They Don’t Need
As parents, we’re often thrilled to see our tweens or teens starting to prioritize cleanliness and concern for their skin, especially if it’s something they’ve neglected in the past.
Pediatric dermatologist Sonal Shah, MD, of the University Hospitals in Ohio, says that, “It’s a positive thing when children are motivated to pursue health and wellness, including taking an interest in their skincare.” But she adds, “For many teenagers, navigating the world of skincare products can be challenging, especially without appropriate education. This is where we start to see problems.”
Dr. Shah says it’s increasingly common for teens and tweens to show up at her practice with overly complex skincare routines, sometimes involving 10 to 20 assorted products a day.
Many of these are expensive and designed for concerns like wrinkles, dark spots, or aging skin, not adolescent skin. When these routines don’t deliver the flawless results that teens hope for, they often respond by adding even more products, which can backfire and cause even more skin issues.
Popular Skin & Anti-Aging Products: Are They Suitable for Teens?
What’s important to know is that “Many of these products can damage the skin barrier, which is not fully formed in pre-teens and early adolescents,” says Dr. Shah.
“Children’s skin has robust amounts of collagen and elastin fibers, so anti-aging products are not necessary in younger skin,” Shah said.
Chemical Peels
While gentle chemical peels can prove beneficial for teens experiencing serious acne or acne scarring, deeper chemical peels are often more suitable for more mature skin to combat and minimize the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and sun damage.
Hyaluronic Acid
This is a lubricant found naturally in tissue. It can bind a significant amount of water, helping to keep skin hydrated and well moisturized.
Alain Michon, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist and medical director of Project Skin MD Ottawa in Canada, said in an article for Verywell Magazine, “Active ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are fine to use in small doses, but usually not necessary unless your tween or teen needs the extra exfoliation to help remove dirt that is stuck in pores.”
Peptides & Retinol
Peptides
These are amino acids that make up proteins needed by the skin. Peptides support the production of collagen and elastin, which help promote firmer, younger-looking skin, with reduced fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinol
Retinols are chemical compounds derived from Vitamin A that increase skin cell turnover, unclog pores, and promote exfoliation. Over time, retinols may help reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles.
According to UCLA Health’s Carol Cheng, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology and board-certified dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist, “Many products have what we call ‘active ingredients’ — like salicylic acid, retinols, peptides. They are more suitable for mature skin to target wrinkles or skin with specific concerns like acne. But for tweens and teens, these ingredients can do damage, irritate the skin, and cause the reverse effects they are hoping to achieve.”
Dermatologists warn that these kinds of anti-aging skincare products can cause irritation, itching, redness, dry and peeling skin, and may even worsen a teenager’s acne. Stinging and burning may also occur when products are applied. Anti-aging products and those with heavy fragrance or a long list of ingredients are likely to cause irritation and long-term issues like allergic contact dermatitis, which can be difficult to treat.
While manufacturers of these products may not be purposefully marketing them for teenage use, they’ve still become popular with young teen girls hoping to get the porcelain-like “glass skin” influencers are promising. According to Dr. Cheng, ” Unfortunately, most online pictures of ‘glass skin’ are curated with the heavy aid of technology, and it would be impossible for most of us to replicate this look in real life. Real skin has pores and blemishes. Part of this is also genetically determined.
So, What Products Should Teens Be Using in Their Skincare Routine?
According to dermatologists, the best advice is to keep it simple and use minimal products.
Dr. Jill Grimes, family physician and author of The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook, has this helpful advice for parents:
“The best anti-aging skincare product that teens can and should be using on their skin is simply sunscreen – using adequate amounts with SPF 30 and reapplying every couple of hours (especially if sweating or swimming). Teen skin tends to be prone to acne, and the topical retinoids in anti-aging products can easily aggravate teenage skin’s redness and inflammation. Please, talk with your child’s doctor and emphasize using a gentle cleanser (without any “scrubbing” exfoliators like Buff Puffs or Loofah sponges) followed by an oil-free moisturizer and sunscreen.” If your teen struggles with persistent acne or other skin issues, it’s important to seek professional guidance from a dermatologist or pediatrician.
How to Help Your Teen Avoid Getting Caught Up in the Hype of the Anti-Aging Obsession
1. Normalize Teenage Skin for What It Is
Talk to your teen – A LOT. Remind them that skin, in general, isn’t perfect, particularly when you’re a teenager.
Oiliness, breakouts, and having uneven texture are completely normal at their age. If they’re concerned about their skin issues, they should seek the advice/direction of a dermatologist and never try a “fad” product without talking to you and/or a professional first.
2. Talk About Marketing with a Critical Lens
Help them understand that a lot of skincare marketing preys on their insecurity. Teach them to ask, “Is this product actually made for my skin… or are they just trying to sell me something?”
Explain to your teen that influencers are getting incentivized to sell products. They certainly don’t have your teen’s best interest or well-being at heart. There are board-certified pediatric dermatologists on sites like TikTok and Instagram that do offer good advice and don’t push products that they make money from, so help your teenager find a reputable influencer/professional to follow.
3. Shop WITH Your Teen
Shop for skincare products with your teenager and help them look at the ingredients listed on the packaging. They should avoid acids, retinoids, dyes, alcohol, and fragrances, and look for products that are “gentle” or for “sensitive skin” and have short ingredient lists.
4. Focus on Healthy Skin Habits, Not Trends
Encourage gentle cleansing, sunscreen, and moisturizing, not harsh products meant for mature skin. Keep it simple. Let skincare be about self-care, not fear of wrinkles they won’t see for decades. Stress to your teenager that the single best product they can use for anti-aging is a daily sunscreen, no matter the weather outside. Protecting their skin early from UV damage is far more impactful than any trending facial serum or moisturizing mask.
5. Reassure Them That Aging Is Not a Flaw
Remind them often: getting older is not something to fight – it’s something to live for. In fact, aging is a privilege – something not everyone will be granted. Youth isn’t their only value, and beauty isn’t something they have to “hang on to.” There’s power in showing them that aging is natural and beautiful.
6. Model Confidence in Your Own Skin
They’re watching you. If you have an anti-aging obsession, so will they. If you’re confident and accepting of your skin, including your fine lines, age spots, and all, they’re more likely to do the same with theirs. Confidence is contagious.
The bottom line here is that we need to help our teens understand that more products aren’t better, and that moderation, education, and expert advice matter most for healthy teenage skin.
Here’s the Good News, Parents: You Have More Influence Than You Realize
A survey by BCG found that while beauty influencers may spark their interest in certain products, teenagers say they trust their parents, friends, and family members more than the influencers and celebrities they see online. So, you have the power to help your teens be educated and safe consumers.
Remember, parents… You are the most important influencer in your teen’s life!
About Marybeth Bock
Marybeth Bock, MPH, is a Mom to two young adults and one delightful hound dog. She has logged time as a military spouse, childbirth educator, college instructor, and freelance writer. She lives in Arizona and thoroughly enjoys research and writing, as long as iced coffee is involved. Her work can be found on numerous websites and in two books. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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Let’s chat, parents! Is your teen jumping on the anti-aging obsession with so many other teens? How are you handling it? How are you mitigating their exposure to it?