Parents Warn Against Anti-Aging Skin Care Products Marketed to Children

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) – Authorities are urging parents to be careful with anti-aging skin care products marketed to children.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined medical experts from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for a press conference Monday morning to discuss the products.

Tong says the products are targeted at children on social media and presented as Christmas items.

He said many anti-aging products contain active ingredients, including retinol and other acids, which are often inappropriate and even potentially harmful for children’s skin.

Despite that, he said social media has been rife with influencer content aimed at young users and suggested such products would help achieve youthful, glowing skin.

One product, Drunk Elephant, comes in bright, fun packaging, attracting younger people to a product they don’t need to use.

“Pediatricians often see children who come in with irritated skin,” said Juan C. Salazar, MD, physician-in-chief at Connecticut Children’s.

“What a child should worry about is not the signs of aging,” Tong added.

The Drunk Elephants Itty, Bitty, Midi Committee acid kit, sold by beauty retailers, is what kids are obsessed with.

“The packaging is obviously aimed at kids, teens and tweens,” Tong said.

“These products can cause irritation, redness, breakouts and long-term dangers,” Salazar said.

Officials say social media platforms are putting them into the algorithms of young children.

While Vivian Fuller, 19, has stopped using Drunk Elephant products, she said she was once influenced by TikTok to use them a few years ago.

Tong sent a letter to beauty retailer Sephora questioning the company about its marketing strategy, specifically how it targets children, tweens and teens.

Salazar says there are no warnings about using the products. Parents should read the ingredients and be aware of the contents of their children’s products.

“As a parent, you should pay attention to what your children buy. Look at the labels. “A lot of these things they don’t need,” Salazar said.

Salazar says skin care for young children should be simple.

For teenagers, it is always best to consult a doctor before introducing products with active ingredients.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that just because a product appears to be aimed at a younger demographic doesn’t mean they should use it.

Copyright 2024 WFSB via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.