Skincare is usually sold based on being ‘hope in a bottle,’ but is that what our kids need? There’s been a rise of Sephora Kids and Mecca Mania among 8-12 year olds and it’s taken a lot of parents by surprise. It’s not just that the main brands our kids want are expensive, they’re mostly not made for kids.
Dermatologists caution against adult ‘actives’ like retinol, AHA/BHA or high-dose vitamin C on young skin, recommending simple routines plus sunscreen for our tweens and teens while their skin barrier is still being built. Here’s your go-to guide on how to manage tweens’ and teens’ interest in skincare without damaging their body image, or encouraging an obsession with appearance.
The do’s and don’ts of tween skincare
Cleansers
- Look for: Gentle, pH-balanced, fragrance-free gels or foams
- Avoid: Harsh soaps, scrubs, alcohol-based toners, ‘deep pore’ or ‘detox’ products
Moisturisers
- Look for: Lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers with ceramide or hyaluronic acid
- Avoid: Heavy, perfumed creams and anti-ageing products with retinol, peptides or collagen
SPF
- Look for: Broad-spectrum SPF 30-50, TGA-approved, made for face or sensitive skin
- Avoid: Tinted moisturiser with added SPF. They’re usually not TGA approved, and not enough coverage
Spot treatments
- Look for: Hydrocolloid pimple patches, mild salicylic acid or sulfur spot gels
- Avoid: Toothpaste (guilty!) or strong benzyl peroxide
Serums
- Look for: Mostly not needed, but if used, stick to niacinamide or hyaluronic acid
- Avoid: Retinol, vitamin C, glycolic or lactic acid serums
Exfoliants
- Look for: Usually not necessary, but if used, choose the gentlest option you can find
- Avoid: Peels, high-percentage acids (AHA/BHA), or scrubs with grit or beads
Language matters
A lot has changed since we were kids. With products and promises everywhere, the pressure to ‘fix’ yourself can start early. These gentle reframes help keep the conversations with your tween focused on care, not criticism.
– Focus on how it feels, not how it looks. Frame skincare as self-care, not a way to change appearance. It’s about feeling clean, calm and comfortable, not fixing flaws or chasing perfection
– Acne isn’t your fault. Breakouts are a normal part of growing up and hormonal change. They’re not caused by being ‘dirty’, eating the wrong foods or doing something wrong
– We’re pro-ageing. Healthy skin isn’t about staying young. It’s about protecting and caring for your skin at every stage of life, knowing that change is normal and expected
– Your skin isn’t the problem, the standards are. Many brands sell products by creating ‘problems’ to fix. But pores, texture, pigmentation and breakouts are all normal parts of real human skin
This is an excerpt from the Embrace magazine. Download your free copy here to see our top skincare product picks and find more expert advice like this.
