Is 9 too young to have a skin care regime?

[DrMeredithGrey2023]

If not, any recommendations on where to start?

Nope, I think the question I asked is actually the question.

She's 9. She hasn't fallen for any marketing ploy, she's asked because she watches me do mine.

This isn't about sex. It's about a want to start, what I consider, an important step in her self care.

Since the rats ate and drank less due to the poor taste of PHMB in their water, the researchers suggested that the stress caused by a lack of food and water led to the development of liver tumors — not the PHMB itself.

So rats are starved, tortured and develop liver tumors just so consumers can buy something to wash their faces. That is revolting.

She's 9. She hasn't fallen for any marketing ploy, she's asked because she watches me do mine.

You're doing the marketing.

We also have a wood burner, so they’re pretty much fucked. Perhaps I can stop feeding them now and save some money, seeing as though they’re going to die at some point anyway?

Only if OP also has a son from whom she hides her skincare routine by declaring it is a girl’s activity only for girls.

Otherwise there’s nothing gendered about it.

Mine use Nuxe foaming cleanser and child’s farm moisturiser at night, then a quick wipe with a damp flannel, moisturise and altruist spf 50 in the morning. I think it’s important to use suncream and so they need to wash their faces properly at night to take it off. They’ve done similar since they were 8.

This. I've never done anything except a light moisturiser. I've always had great skin, and I look about 15 years younger than my age (ethnicity may have something to do with it too!). What is that saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Wow do you react to everything in that way? Surely you'd rather know about something than put your head in the sand??

wash face use a sensitive moisturiser suitable for kids , cerave or avene of example and that’s it . Anything else isn’t good for young skin

OP I don't think you should do anything, unless they have problem skin. 9 is really young and her natural oils etc will be affected if you interfere. She may end up having problem skin in the future due to interference

This is hilarious.... I'm nearly 50 years older than this child, and still don't have "a skincare regime" 🤣 I just wash my face when I'm in the shower. I also think happily about all the money I've saved on lotions and potions over the years.

This is my favourite take from this thread.

Almost everything that you use in your day to day life will, sadly, at some point have to had trials on animals to deem whether it's safe for humans.

Even the stuff with the bunny sticker on, that only means the ingredients haven't been tested for X amount of years because the results have been concluded. The Body Shop sold us all a lie in the 80s, it's greenwashing.

Unless you are recommending everyone only wash their face in a stream, then a rat or other living creature had to suffer for our usage.

Sorry to derail but this really gets on my nerves.

Okay. So other than talking about yourself what would you recommend?

Is it patronising someone who wants to ask advice about a gentle skincare process for a kid to help teach her good habits, such as using a light moisturiser and a gentle facewash? The initial worsing may have been clumsy, I agree there, but RTFD and its clear the intentions are good. Dont be mean.

That's nice.

I happily think about the care and protection I'm giving my skin, and think it's great that this child also wants to take care of herself.

I've actually just noticed that I wrote regime 🤣

I meant routine.

My DD9 is currently using a simple moisturiser but could do with an spf I reckon. Considering this: www.spots-and-stripes.com/product/sun-squad/
Not sure it's worth the price tag though!

@DrMeredithGrey2023 I think most people got it eventually😄

in what way is this "looking after her skin" or " a good habit to get into"?

Its just setting her up for years of pointless tyranny for no reason - total waste of time and money and in no way has any positive effect on her skin.

I see no harm in something very gentle especially if they're showing interest in wearing makeup that might need removed properly or if they are developing a bit of acne with puberty. I don't think there's anything wrong with teaching kids to look after their body and their skin is part of their body. But probably just gentle cleanser, moisturiser and spf I don't think they'd need anything more than that. I also would say it should be about looking after their skin in the sun to keep it healthy, not about avoiding wrinkles or other normal perfectly natural parts of ageing.

This is not in any way "an important step in self care" at all, in fact it is the total opposite.

None of the much people smear on their faces has any benefit, other than actual medicine

Why do you want to start her on a lifelong habit of pouring money into companies that con her, and smearing useless pointless chemicals on her face,

This is pure misogyny and worse because it is coming at her through her mother.

YOu are teaching her that her own face isn't good enough, and she MUST conform to sexual stereotypes and she HAS to spend time and money putting muck all over her perfectly good enough skin, and she isn't good enough if she doesn't.

She is 9, for goodness sake

dont start her off on any skin care at all, and if you feel like you must do it yourself, do it out of her sight.

Hopefully she will never fall into the trap. But if she does, at least you will have a clean conscience that you didn't force this oppression onto her

My dd started using Simple face wash and moisturiser with spf at 10. She enjoys it and the spf is important to protect her skin from sun damage. She also likes to have a face mask in the bath and ‘spa days’ at home. I’m terrible at maintaining a routine so this is driven by her and that’s fine as far as I’m concerned!

Surely the question is whether you would think of doing similar for a 9 year old boy? If not then it’s gendered product marketing that’s underlying it, not any real need.

My thoughts exactly, @PurpleParrotfish. And in any case, since so much adult skincare is based on anti-ageing (as if that were even possible), then there is simply no reason for a child to do anything more than wash their face and use suncream when appropriate. I don't think moisturisers are necessary unless your skin feels tight and uncomfortable after washing - not usually an issue for children.

On the question of micellar water, the article linked to by the PP has an alarmist headline but is actually quite reassuring, especially as it lists some brands that don't include the suspect ingredient.

How can anybody ever call all this "an important step in self care"

I just can't get my head around what "care" you think this is imparting or why it is in any way "important"

It literally blows my mind - it is such total nonsense, and people take it so seriously

Haha, agreed, @Nimbostratus100!

I’m considering this for DS1 (10) as he is starting to get blackheads and small spots. I wish I’d had one at that age before I became hideously self conscious as a very spotty teen. I’m delighted for everyone who can wash with soap and rinse off and not get acne but I can’t at 42 so if DS1 has similar skin I’m going to help him as much as I can!