{"id":203,"date":"2025-05-20T13:21:31","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T12:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/brooke-tritton\/?p=203"},"modified":"2025-05-21T16:39:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T15:39:47","slug":"from-lip-balm-to-bha-why-dermatologists-are-warning-about-childrens-skincare-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/brooke-tritton\/2025\/05\/20\/from-lip-balm-to-bha-why-dermatologists-are-warning-about-childrens-skincare-use\/","title":{"rendered":"From Lip Balm to BHA: Why Dermatologists are Warning about Children’s Skincare use"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Brooke Tritton | 20\/05\/2025<\/p>\n\n\n

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IRINA<\/a>– stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children as young as seven are being referred to dermatologists after using adult-targeted skincare products, prompting concerns over allergic reactions, barrier damage and social media-fuelled beauty trends.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChildren\u2019s skin has not adapted to tolerate those kinds of acids and they don\u2019t need them,\u201d said Dr Faheem Latheef, Leeds-based consultant dermatologist on the GMC\u2019s Specialist Register<\/a>. \u201cThese formulations are for older patients with specific skin concerns, often who have problems with various conditions. \u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Dr Faheem Latheef (@dr.f.latheef_dermatologist)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Among the biggest culprits, experts say, are trending ingredients like retinols, peptides and BHA exfoliants, typically marketed for anti-ageing and acne treatments in adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey can cause irritant dermatitis\u2026 Some people can actually develop an allergy\u2026 It can cause conditions like perioral dermatitis,\u201d Dr Latheef explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue is already appearing in clinics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are actually seeing younger patients being referred in because we\u2019ve got patients as young as 7, 8, 9 using 7 step skincare routine’s. They use hair products and gel, shellac, acrylic nails, all of that sort of builds up as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cIf they have irritant reactions and then the skin barrier is impaired\u2026 it can then actually lead to sensitisation\u2026 Then the next time you get exposed to it, you get a reaction. And then subsequently you get stronger and stronger reactions every time you\u2019re exposed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kristy, a mum of a 12-year-old, says her daughter\u2019s skincare fixation began \u201csomewhere between peer pressure and technology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cI don’t think there is much of a restriction we can put on it as parents, other than saying \u2018no\u2019 which will then create other problems with lack of fitting in etc<\/a>,\u201d she said. \u201cPersonally, I don\u2019t think many of these products should be sold to anyone under the age of 16. I think the labels should say that.\u201d

She added: \u201cNot only do I believe brands and social media influencers are aware of how strongly they\u2019re impacting kids, I think they are capitalising on it… peer pressure and constant social media algorithms related to skin care have convinced my child she must buy, but only the best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some parents raise concerns, others see the trend playing out more playfully. Nadine, whose ten-year-old niece has taken an interest in skincare, described it as \u201ca bit of fun\u201d and \u201csomething that makes her feel a bit grown up.\u201d She said her niece enjoys gentle cleansers, moisturisers and face masks, and has been told she can\u2019t use certain products until she\u2019s older.
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Despite the concerns, Dr Latheef believes there\u2019s a silver lining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s raised a bit of awareness about skincare and particularly about sun protection and, you know, photo-aging and skin cancer.\u201d 
 
Still, his advice is clear: \u201cLess is more\u2026 a moisturiser and a cleanser and a sun cream would be all that you\u2019d need. If you have an actual skin problem, go and see somebody\u2026 rather than trying trial and error.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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