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 wonder how many of these 10 year olds who are obsessed with skin care are males and how many dads are taking their boys to see a dermatologist.

Unless they have acne or another skin condition, most 10 year olds do not need any ‘active’ ingredients. Most 11 year olds do not need to cleanse, tone and moisturise either. This is a fiction from the beauty industry that traps girls from a young age resulting in brainwashed women as we see here. There is nothing ‘healthy’ about it.

As for those who only use soap and water, well fine! But you can improve your skin with the right well formulated products.

But why on earth does a ten year old need to improve her skin? Surely it's already perfect (skin conditions aside).

Also curious whether all the people who thinks it's never too young to start are also encouraging their boys to starts a skin care regime, or if it's only girls who are socialised to think their very flesh needs improving.

Improving how, anyway? I'm all for healthy skin and products to avoid acne infection. But improvement in this context means improving how it looks, which is code for looking young, and where the subtext is "looking young for the benefit of men". It's very bad to give our daughters the message that they should care this much about looking young.

I feel quite angry at this thread. At the beauty industry for exploiting young girls. And at their mothers who think their kids need a skin routine aged 10. And who indulge it by looking at ‘dermatology-approved’ skincare products for kids, when most children need nothing other than suncream. And when I say children, of course, I mean daughters. It’s appalling and sexist.

I wasn't talking about the 10year old, I was aiming that comment at the women saying they only use soap and water.

Protecting skin from the sun and environmental factors can't start too young. Ageing is caused by sun damage and I'd assume that starts from birth!

Yeah it's all over TikTok I'm afraid. It'll make her skin worse too if she's overusing and not well informed on the ingredients

I agree most children don’t need actives, that’s what I’ve said all along on this thread. Most of the trendy products are too strong for their skin.

But using spf and not washing it off properly at the end of the day is not healthy for skin at all.

Using a cleanser, toner (if desired, gentle non-active for tweens or something with an active ingredient for teens / adults with skin problems ) and a decent moisturiser to keep your skin healthy is not a bad thing, dry skin can be painful and a plain unscented moisturiser can be beneficial especially after very cold or very sunny days.

It’s basic hygiene and no more brainwashing than using a good shampoo and conditioner, or a body wash and lotion. You don’t have to use it and some people don’t choose to but that doesn’t make you superior to those who do because they feel their skin will look and feel better with some products. It’s not all a con. Of course some marketing is over the top, trends are silly, etc, which is why adults should be more informed about what products and ingredients actually do.

To add, I completely agree that much of the beauty industry IS a con and that girls are subjected to too much pressure to look a certain way, use too much make up etc.
I can see how the skincare industry plays in this and I don’t think they should be allowed to market inappropriate products to kids via social media. I also think it’s appalling that young influencers ruin their skin with strong acids.
I just don’t think tweens washing their faces properly is a problem.

I wish my ds' would be influenced into washing. My older ds has some normal teenage spots. I bought him some nice stuff specifically designed for teenage boy skin. Getting him to actually use it is another matter

I disagree that most young girls need daily cleanser, toner and moisturiser. I won’t change my mind on this. It is nothing to do with basic ‘hygiene’ at all.

She's 10 get her off social media

My son has always been the same. Because he says he ‘doesn’t care’ how he looks. How many girls of the same age can say that?

So do you think they shouldn’t wash their face at all?
If not, what should they wash it with if not a proper facial wash?

And no moisturiser, even in winter when children can develop sore dry skin on their cheeks or foreheads from cold weather and central heating? In summer when they’ve been to the beach or pool and their skin has SPF on it, salty from the sea or had chlorine on it? You’d just leave it??

Cleanser and moisturiser are just names of things to wash and protect skin. It seems odd not to want kids sensitive skin to be clean and protected.

They can use the stuff you despise, ‘soap and water’. Or have a shower if they come out of the sea. And yes if they get dry skin they can use some plain moisturiser. You know this is different to your idea of ‘basic hygiene’ which involves a daily, ‘cleanse, tone and moisturise’ routine at 10. Why does a 10 year old need toner??

Absolutely this. And it will get worse if you let it continue. The internet is not your friend.

From what age? I think of puberty as the dividing line here. A prepubescent child should be fine with warm water and a flannel, unless they have specific skin problems. I've never heard of putting moisturiser on a child's face, and would probably consult a pharmacist if they developed dry patches. When I think of "kids' sensitive skin", I think "leave it be!". It's worked for me and the children in my family so far 🤷‍♀️

Obviously once hormones kick in, then skin needs a bit more attention. And once anti-ageing is a concern, likewise there are things people might want to do.

What’s your point?

Soap is extremely drying, and most are not suitable for sensitive faces.

Having a shower doesn’t get SPF off skin.

Washing your face is basic hygiene. Why not use an appropriate (and nice!) product?

If you use a decent moisturiser you can prevent the dry skin to start with.

Why are you so against a toner? Non active toners are just a hydrating fluid that helps skin maintain moisture after being washed. It’s not essential but it’s also not a crazy luxury or dangerous product. I’m not suggesting kids use acid toners. Im also not saying they are essential, but a decent face wash and moisturiser are basic products to use from pre-teen age.

Sounds depressing and a slippery slope.

Get her off social media.

She's a child, you're the adult

It's all, no exception, a money making scam! Why is it a 'good habit to get into' as some pps have said? Putting chemicals all over your face is marketing bs. Do it if you want but it's not necessary for kids or adults!

Can you quote where I have said kids should not have acne treated? I have mentioned acne a couple of times as a condition that needs attention. I was on antibiotics for acne as a teen.

It says a lot that you mock the concept of the patriarchy and you see no sexism in the fact people are allowing young girls to slap on unnecessary products and be marketed to. Quite worrying that you don’t see it really.

I honestly think you have been well and truly brainwashed by the beauty industry from a young age. Carry on putting products on your daughter.