If you’ve got a tween or a teenager, chances are they’ve started to show interest in skincare.
And if they’re earning their own money through chores or even their first job, there are more opportunities to buy products that appeal to them.
Experts recommend parents be aware of what their kids buy and use on their skin.
While it may seem like another thing we need to stay on top of, there are good reasons behind the warnings.
This week, Kmart pulled a skincare product off its shelves after a Bendigo teenager who used it suffered severe eye pain and was rushed to hospital.
The 13-year-old purchased the hyaluronic acid cleansing balm for the sale price of $2 using her pocket money.
Be cautious of cheap skincare
Brisbane-based dermatologist Leona Yip says when buying skincare, don’t take everything at face value.
“Just because something is affordable, and it may seem like it’s harmless … doesn’t mean that it’s generalisable to you.”
She says a lot of time and expense goes into skincare products that are well formulated, have good labelling and good quality testing.
Dr Yip says hyaluronic acid “tends to be a gentle ingredient that helps with skin hydration, and it is quite gentle, so it should be tolerated by most skin types”.
Dr Yip wasn’t able to view the ingredients on the Kmart product, which has since been removed from shelves.
But she says ingredients like soap and detergents can cause a lot of “irritancy”, which can lead to redness, flaking, a burning sensation, itching, and skin sensitivity.
Michelle Wong is a cosmetic chemist and science communicator known as ‘Lab Muffin’ online.
Dr Wong says if the price of a product seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“I would also be extremely careful about buying products off cheap online websites,” she says.
Do tweens or teens need skincare?
Before our experts answer that, it’s important to know that everyone’s skin is different.
If tweens or teens have a problematic or weak skin barrier, it can cause issues with sensitivity and reactions to products, Dr Yip says.
“The skin barrier works like a skin seal to protect our skin from irritants, and it keeps allergens out,” she says.
“Some children can react more readily, or be easily irritated because the skin barrier function doesn’t work properly, particularly the younger age they are.
“It takes time for the skin barrier to develop properly and to be intact and have integrity.”
Dr Yip says sunscreen is the most important skincare product for youngsters. (Supplied: Leona Yip)
If you’re wanting good quality skincare for your tween or teen, Dr Yip recommends visiting your local pharmacy for advice as a starting point.
“You can at least get some pharmacy assistance, giving you some general skincare advice about what’s suitable,” she says.
A gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen should be the ‘maximum’ you need at this stage.
Dr Wong says in Australia, almost everyone should use sunscreen as a basic skincare product.
“When the UV index is three or over, then almost everyone should be using sun protection,” Dr Wong says.
“If you’re using sunscreen, then you probably also want to use cleanser to wash it off, and moisturiser if your skin is dry.
“But otherwise, if you don’t have any skin problems, then all other products are just an add-on.“
Dealing with common skin issues
Our experts say tweens or teen don’t need active skincare ingredients unless they have a diagnosed condition or common problems like acne.
“They really don’t need to start those at a young age, unless recommended by a treating professional like a dermatologist or a doctor for conditions like eczema or acne,” Dr Yip says.
“A lot of teenagers and tweens start thinking about using active ingredients on their skin, thinking it’s going to make them look more youthful or more radiant.
“But they don’t even use sunscreen, so there’s really no point spending your money buying active ingredients skincare and serums if you’re not doing the basics.“
Dr Wong says usually when teenagers start getting acne, they may need or want to start branching into products other than basic cleaners and moisturisers.
She recommends parents check products that their child may have purchased before they start using them.
“Checking that it’s from a reputable brand but also guiding them on how to use the product,” Dr Wong says.
“When they’re using products, especially if they’re younger, they might also not realise signs of irritation.”
How to start using a new product
Always test a product on a small area of your skin before you use it as directed, Dr Yip says.
“If there’s a new product you’ve not used before, reactions are always a possibility, do a test patch,” Dr Yip says.
She recommends putting a little bit on your arm first, or a small area on the face or neck and see if you react.
“If you don’t, you may use it in wider areas, but avoid more delicate areas, like around the eyes, for example.”
If you do react, Dr Yip says the first thing to do is stop the product right away.
See a doctor or your GP, as soon as possible, to check what’s going, or an after-hours clinic if the pain and irritation is severe.
This is general information only. For personal advice, you should see a qualified medical practitioner.
