Nearly 11 year old obsessed with skin care

[Oakstreet]

Getting on my nerves. As far as kids goes she isn't always on social media but all I hear is my friends have it! Fed up. Her dad ended up buying her some, so expensive too, she doesn't need it. I've tried telling her that it is a money spinning scam, and kids her age don't need it. She just doesn't listen, she really is like a stubborn teenager, but still a very a young child who shouldn't even be interested in this stuff. Anyone advice on how to talk to her?

I meant she does look at social media but as far as kids her age not as much as many others

It's all over TikTok, you could block the app?

My 12 year old is the same so we have come to a compromise shenis only allowed to use it at the weekend.
Bloody ridiculous, she has perfect skin

First, I’d be checking exactly what he has bought her. A lot of the “cult products” they’re seeing are entirely inappropriate for young skin (having seen approx 10 year olds trying to buy retinol and AHA containing products).

Buy find a cheapish moisturiser with SPF and let her bash in.

Marginally better than 11/12 year old boys who refuse to wash. And think soap / shower gel is for display purposes only!

Book her an appointment with a dermatologist who will tell her exactly what she needs rather than what the influencers are trying to promote.

11 isn’t too young for skin care but it is too young to become obsessed by something that shouldn’t be on her radar.

It's great that young teens are developing an interest in skincare, it's setting habits that will last for a lifetime.

What is not OK is the obsession for premium brands which are totally unsuitable for their skins. At that age, a simple routine of cleanser, basic moisturiser and SPF should be more than enough.

This is exposure to social media pure and simple, which is one big advertising experiment, and your child is the guinea pig. You give children access to it, this is the result. You can't expect anything different from her, this is social media working exactly as it's designed to, and there's millions of pounds being made by accessing children, and making them think that living in a state of wanting is normal.

What you do about it is up to you, but it's not her fault.

Tbh, it's really not the worst is it? It's useful, and a good habit.

Have you seen what they cost 😲

Had a quick look in Boots Simple have a moisturiser 30spf 40ml £7

Honestly if she wants to look after her skin then let her do it. It's probably not a bad thing.

It’s definitely a ‘thing’ at the moment. My 12y old DD is also obsessed, as are all her friends. I’ve explained to her that a lot of the products she wants are for older people and not suitable for her skin (it will irritate it) and I’ve helped her choose a few gentler things that she likes messing about with.

She also likes to give me a facial which is pretty awesome. She sets her room up like a salon and I get to lie on her bed, under a heated throw whilst she cleanses, sheet masks, moisturises etc. That aspect of it is pretty good!

But what the kids want is really expensive stuff that in most cases isn't even suitable for their skin.

Nobody on social media is pushing the stuff that IS - which costs much less.

My 10 year old has a fair few spots (they come and go, so definitely hormonal). She has a salicylic acid face wash and some bog standard moisturiser. She washes her face morning and night (she calls it her facial routine). She has a special headband to keep her hair back as she does it all.
She is very likely to suffer with acne when she gets older, good skin hygiene routines will help her to minimise infections. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just good quality and skin gentle at this age.

That's so lovely! My 12 y/o is also mad into it. She's happy with basic products, so it's fine. And i do think it's a good habit to get into, i've never done skincare so i will be liable to shrivel into a raisin any minute (own fault!)

It’s fine to encourage face washing, an unscented moisturiser and SPF. Many of the trendy tik tok products are unsuitable though due to active ingredients. Drunk elephant for example. And cost!

Caroline Hirons did a blog post about suitable skin care for kids - it’s on her Skin Rocks app.

So what Op needs to do is encourage appropriate skin care not £££ stuff with god knows what in it.

She is very likely to suffer with acne when she gets older, good skin hygiene routines will help her to minimise infections. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just good quality and skin gentle at this age

Why is she very likely to have acne? I think I remember one or two girls with acne at senior school!

It's all over social media.
It's absolutely disgraceful.
I'm 45 and have never touched anything skincare related in my life. I wash my face in baby soap when I'm in the shower.
My skin looks no different to any other 45 year old. It's not particularly good or particularly shit. When I was a teen, I had an average amount of spots.

@PersephonePomegranate because both her dad and I did, genetically she is more likely too. I work in schools, most kids have spots, it’s not particularly unusual?

What’s wrong with washing your face?! 🤪
I completely understand not wanting to pay for ridiculously expensive and spurious brands, but there’s nothing wrong with being clean! Nothing wrong with taking care of young children’s skin with appropriately gentle washes either. Most parents buy appropriate washing powder and soaps for their babies, why would you stop because they’re preteens?

When I was 11 I didn't even know what skincare was. But then there wasn't shit like TikTok or influencers.

When I was 11 I didn’t know Shakespeare existed, or anything about politics, or looking after the environment. Social media has many things to answer for, but education and awareness is never something to deplore. Ignorance is not bliss, knowledge is power. Just because we didn’t know things our children do, doesn’t make our childhoods better.

I wish I’d known how to take care of my curly hair and greasy skin. I’d have loved that kind of insight.

She's going to wreck her skin. The ingredients in a lot of the trendy skincare brands are not for children.

Agree with the PP saying to book her an appt with a dermatologist.