Is your year 5/6 child newly obsessed with all things ‘skincare’ ??

[Jessforless]

My year 6 child is absolutely obsessed, it’s come about in the last month. It’s all she talks about and spends hours on the Sephora website.

Apparently this is a ‘thing’ at the moment in this age group.

Is this the same in your house and where did this come from? Everything she wants is ££££!

I put SPF on my children most of the year, from tiny. Plus hats and UV suits in summer, In the winter I put weather protection cream on them. (Weleda baby protection)
I think those spring days when your skin hasn't seen much sun are very dangerous.
They moaned, one has super pale skin, so tough.

Late teens now and using all manner of crap, but hey ho, I did my bit.

Most of these products aren't skin care, are they? Let's not tell young people that unless they use these products they aren't "looking after" their skin. If a "skincare routine" using lots of products was necessary for skin health they'd use them all over their body.

Is it not just their version of body shop eye shadow and dewberry bath oil?

@Peteryourhorseishere thank you the detail that it's organic cold pressed is what I was after that's really helpful x

I haven’t experienced that. It’s a harmless enough “hobby” provided it’s supervised and the products don’t contain questionable ingredients which are not suitable for their age.

I would disagree. The sun here can be harsh in winter, and kids tend to spend much more time outdoors than we do as adults.

You don't need to get burned to be damaging your skin.

Skin on your face is different in that it's generally much more exposed to the elements than skin elsewhere on your body.

My Year 5 niece does not have any apps, but she does have friends at school... She knows all the brands and such.

Parents need to be watchful. These children are still growing. They do not need to dabble with some of the chemicals in such products. For primary school children, Drunk Elephant and Sephora stuff is overkill compared to, I dunno, Nivea. I am black and was cultured to be very serious about moisturising my skin (with natural oils, butters and thicker lotions) and washing it every day. All the extra stuff can be introduced at an older age, or if the child actually has a skin condition. But my niece doesn't want to hear any of that, so I feel the pain of those parents who are struggling with this trend.

This makes me feel so depressed. I feel like crying.

And if skincare was so important, we'd be getting our boys to do it too...
Another one depressed by this thread. It's like a competition amongst companies to see how young they can start the pink tax.

IME teenage boys do use skincare products, and so do many men.

My daughter was never interested in anything like that at primary school, and neither were her friends. I used to get very irritated if parents bought her makeup items for birthday presents, and they always went straight into the charity box. I think anything like that is completely inappropriate for such young children.

My 10 year old isn't remotely interested. She doesn't have a phone and isn't on socials. I can only assume this is where it comes from?

I was speaking to someone who was complaining that their 9 yo daughter is obsessed with expensive products and they are getting it from sm/TikTok. I wonder why parents don’t step in. It’s so sad to think that girls are becoming this insecure at such a young age and thinking they need to spend ££ to look good. There’s nothing wrong with learning to taking care of your skin and wearing spf etc but this should be knowledge that’s passed down in a no pressure fun way between kids (of both sexes ) and parents/caregivers and at much older than 9/10. The most they should be doing is learning to wash their face.

Agree that there’s nothing wrong with looking after your skin and getting into good habits etc. but surely a foaming cleanser and a bit of moisturiser with an SPF is enough for such young kids?
I washed my face with a warm flannel at that age, and slapped on a bit of clerasil (sp?) if I had a spot!
I’m 50 and my skin is fine.

It makes me sad that so many young girls are yet again being ‘influenced’ to focus on appearance - as if there won’t be enough of that when they are older

No, because she's 10, so I don't let her access social media.

Lots of 10yo's don't use social media but they have siblings and cousins etc. who do and will be influenced that way.

The boys do. Admittedly, so far DS hasn't wanted any super pricey brands - he uses Cerave.

Hair care on the other hand... I Just got talked into buying expensive hair creme product by him and the hairdresser!

Year 5/6

Not age 6.

Incorrect.

Facial skin is far thinner and more delicate than body skin so needs more looking after and different products/ingredients.

Also faces are exposed to UV light, pollution, weather etc all the time while our bodies tend to be mostly covered. So again, different needs.

No. I struggle to get her to wash her face.

My son and his teen friends all use some products. Cleanser, moisturiser, scrub.

Times have changed.

How depressing

I had terrible skin growing up. I'm mid 30s and have a cousin who is 20 and grew up with YouTube. She started skincare early and learned how to apply makeup from tutorials. I envy how flawless she looks. I don't think there's anything wrong with taking care of your skin from a young age.

6 is a bit too young but it's heartening to hear that children are getting the message about the importance of SPF. Skin cancer is on the rise.