What Age is Considered Too Early for Preventative Skincare? Experts Share Their Insights

The online world is teeming with discussions about "Sephora kids" - youngsters or preadolescents who invest both time and money on skincare products.

However, certain well-liked products, such as anti-aging skincare, can be more harmful than helpful if used prematurely.

"A child’s skincare routine should remain simple," advised Michele Green, MD, a certified cosmetic dermatologist located in New York. "Many active ingredients in anti-aging skincare products can be irritating to young skin."

She noted that skincare products might be particularly harmful to children if they are combining multiple topical treatments not intended for their age bracket.

Here’s a discussion on when it’s too early for precautionary skincare products, an acceptable skincare routine for a child, and which types of products can be harmful if used prematurely.

Despite recent footage showing kids purchasing heaps of skincare products in beauty stores, they don’t require much to maintain healthy skin.

A simple skincare routine can encourage children to build positive habits regarding skincare, said Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital.

"Good skincare is always beneficial, even from an early age," declared Zeichner. "Though, a child should not be spending vast amounts on skincare products in order for them to be effective."

Many skincare routines need to be personalized, accounting for an individual's skin type and any existing symptoms. However, as a rule, Green stated that children only require a gentle cleanser, a noncomedogenic moisturizer (i.e., one that doesn’t clog pores), and sunscreen.

Each product serves a distinct purpose.

"A cleanser will remove any left-over debris, excessive oil, and dead skin cells that could cause various skin problems, such as irritation, acne and dullness," Green elaborated. "Moisturizer provides crucial hydration and strengthens the skin’s natural protective barrier, while sunscreen helps shield the skin from the multiple types of damage instigated by UV rays."

Sunscreen is the "most crucial" skincare product for children since UV light is the primary cause of premature aging later in life and the development of skin cancer, as added by Zeichner.

As a child's development progresses, they will probably require a few other products.

"Besides these products, an adolescent may choose to add products like a gentle exfoliant or an acne spot treatment," stated Green. "This is because hormone alterations during puberty frequently cause acne breakouts, which may be regulated with products that contain ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, benzoyl peroxide, and glycolic acid."

Conversely, adults might consider incorporating anti-aging products into their skincare regime.

While many adults may benefit from anti-aging products, some ingredients within these products can be damaging to less developed skin.

According to Green, the most common active ingredients in anti-aging skincare products are retinol and vitamin C. The former can be harmful to children and typically isn’t necessary until a person is in their twenties.

"Retinol is a byproduct of vitamin A stimulating the production of new collagen and speeding up the rate of skin cell regeneration," she elaborated. "Retinol is a brilliant option for lightening fine lines, dark spots, and deep wrinkles, and also helps keep pores clear, while vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that shields against free radicals potentially resulting in premature signs of aging."

Vitamin C can also enhance skin tone and texture, and it possesses anti-inflammatory properties, Green added.

Although retinol is one of the most frequent active ingredients in anti-aging products, it is not the only one that can be harmful to children.

"Retinol and chemical exfoliant ingredients like AHAs [alpha hydroxy acids] and BHAs [beta hydroxy acids] may negatively affect the natural protective barrier and the skin's microbiome in youngsters, which is still evolving and may be more sensitive," stated Green.

These products can inflict even more harm when used simultaneously.

"These ingredients can be particularly damaging to young skin when used together, hence it’s best to limit the skincare routine to a handful of simple steps to prevent irritation," she explained.

Products labelled as fragrant may also be damaging to children.

"I advise against teens or tweens applying products containing fragrances that potentially lead to allergies or irritation," stated Zeichner. "Many plant-based ingredients can trigger allergic reactions, so I don’t advocate their use in younger patients."

Misusing these skincare products can cause symptoms that are hard to clear up, particularly if a child uses the wrong products for a long time.

“Overuse of skincare products—especially those with harsh actives, fragrances, or botanicals—can lead to skin rashes like contact dermatitis,” Zeichner said. “Overuse of occlusive products—like skin masks—can also lead to perioral dermatitis, a rash characterized by red bumps and pimples around the mouth that can be challenging to treat.”

While a complex skincare routine isn’t typically recommended for children, there are some exceptions.

Any unusual symptoms—including persistent acne—should prompt an appointment with a skin specialist, no matter a person’s age. Doctors may recommend the use of prescription-strength treatments and may advise patients with acne, or other skin issues, to stop using over-the-counter products.

When a person starts noticing symptoms that affect their skin, such as pimples, it’s important to make an appointment with a dermatologist quickly.

“A dermatologist should promptly treat acne to prevent permanent scarring,” Green explained, “which can often be even more challenging to resolve than breakouts.”