Is 9 too young to have a skin care regime?

[DrMeredithGrey2023]

If not, any recommendations on where to start?

I was going to say the same.

I think if she's interested it's not too young.
I took both ds and dd shopping for skincare products at a similar age. Both myself and dp use various skincare products which is probably why they were interested.

Are you a dermatologist now as well as a teacher and a geneticist, @Nimbostratus100 ? You must be knackered.

Yawn. There's one on every skincare thread.

For a 9 year old I'd probably encourage a wash with a hot flannel and then a light moisturiser. That's plenty for a little girl. As for which moisturiser, I'd have a look at the Millie Bobby Brown range in Boots - it looks good for young skins.

*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.*

Sexual stereotype? You are aware that men use skin care products too, yes? In fact, her father's cleanser and moisturiser sit right next to mine in the bathroom.

Are you really suggesting that washing my face thoroughly, moisturising, applying spf and then making sure to remove it correctly at night should be some dirty little secret to be hidden away?

They are skin care products, they aren't designed to change anyone's face - so I'm not sure how it would make her feel like her face isn't good enough.

It's a troll. Report it and move on.

So because her question doesn't involve a boy it's gendered?

Gerraway. There's loads of boys including mine who are interested in ways to clean their faces. Bore off.

I used to use my mothers Vichy cleanser and toner unbeknownst to her at that age, and my sister and I would amuse ourselves making homemade face masks, mixing honey and oats, I think we even used egg yolks at one point, this was in the late 80’s and I can’t think where we got the ideas from, Smashhits or Mandy or some teen mag 😂 it’s carried through tho, I’ve always looked after my skin.

Yes

Bore off.

This is so rude, @Beenhereforever1978. Why would you even say that, just because you don’t agree with someone’s opinion?

My 8yo has a basic one, but it is based on need rather than a desire to be grown up. It is a mission to get her to stick to it each day TBH as she actively avoids a lot of personal care, and I would happily drop it if it wasn't necessary - I could do without yet another battle ground! Unfortunately, she wakes up covered in dribble marks, has a habit of getting dinner all round her face (she has ASD and hypermobility which combine to form some pretty messy mealtimes), and is prone to eczema, exacerbated by swimming 3 times a week. She uses Superdrug's own brand sensitive face wash with a warm flannel to wash off the crud, followed by Aveeno moisturiser to keep the eczema at bay. We did try the moisturiser in the Superdrug range too as a 'big girl' incentive to use it without needing someone standing over her, but it was still a battle and set off her eczema to boot, so we're back to nagging and Aveeno 🤷🏼‍♀️ She doesn't like the squeaky feeling of soap on her face, so that has been discounted too.

Is it too young? Yes.

I'm with Nimbostratus. At nearly 50 I have excellent skin despite not cleansing or moisturizing or SPFing (just wear a hat). Don't wear much make up so wash my face as and when needed; maybe 2-3 times per week.
DD1 started a gentle 'skincare routine' using some pretty nice sample products handed out to girls in a PSHE lesson at school (Y7; don't get me started on the insane sexism of this), and went from flawless to flaky, greasy and bumpy within a couple of weeks. She's now 'locked in', keeping up the routine in order to reduce the bad effects of having started it in the first place.

I guess it's personal preference.

Personally, I wouldn't feel clean and ready for the day without washing my face every morning, it would feel akin to not brushing my teeth.

I'm happy for her to take the lead on what level of personal care she wants to aim for.

Place marking and also wondering how I add spf to my regime.

As a separate product, and the final step in skincare.

I think I remember using Anne French milk on cotton pads at that age
I am in my mid 30s now and use balm cleanser but that’s it and I sometimes don’t bother 😬
I think cerave is a good bet or just a Muslin cloth or flannel is enough unless she has problematic skin
simple moisturiser maybe? I sometimes use it and sometimes use avene moisturiser it is very gentle
My grandmother had the most soft and beautiful skin and sometimes washed with soap and flannel her whole life

Sorry, I thought it was obvious. I'd recommend nothing unless something is actually wrong with her skin. Putting something on a 9 year olds skin is likely to mess with the pH levels. All my life I've had friends who wear make up and do all sorts with their face and skin when it wasn't really needed and ended up making it worse, getting pimples etc

Definitely not trying to be patronising at all, but all the people I know with really great skin don't do anything except SPF when it's sunny. That's why I'm saying not to mess with it

At 9, I wouldn’t, unless she’s hitting puberty and getting greasy skin/spots. Just say it’s something for when she’s older and for now soap and water is fine. To be so interested at 9 is unusual, it makes me think you’re very into all things beauty.

When she first needs something more when she’s a bit older, a face wash and a moisturiser is enough. Acne treatments may be something she needs at some point. Obviously suncream when needed.

A lot of girls seek their own things out by 14 or so based on what friends use or what they see recommended on YouTube. Let her be 9 for now.

I am mind-boggled! Just wash her face with a wet flannel. End of. Skin care regimes have the sole purpose of lining the pockets of the manufacturers.

Terrible advice. A hot flannel will open up her pores and moisturiser will clog her pores. Great way to give your 9 year old pimples!! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

She's copying you, it is you that fell for the marketing.

It is not objectively important for anyone's self care. Loads of us do not follow a skin care regime, we just wash our faces.

In answer to the original question, yes 9 is too young.

The question as to whether you think 9yo boys should also start wasting their brain space and time on skin care regimes is relevant.

Not too young.

• cleanser (both am and pm)
• spf (am)
• hydrate (pm)

What! They don’t need soap on their face or anything else at that age, just water out of the tap FGS