Why Parents of Teens Should Think Twice Before Buying Pricey Skincare Products Off Wish Lists (Exclusive)

All over TikTok, parents lament that their teenagers are looking for expensive skin care products to add to their daily regimen.

Many adults, who grew up with minimal, if any, skin care routines, are shocked to see young adults and teenagers committing to multi-step rituals with products you can’t find at the drugstore. According to Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, board-certified dermatologist and founder of AziMD, less is generally more when it comes to teenagers venturing into skin care for the first time.

“Skincare routines for teens and tweens need to be simple because their skin only needs three basic steps: cleansing, moisturizing, and applying SPF,” Dr. Shirazi tells PEOPLE.

“Once they get the basics down, consider adding a product formulated with ingredients that target and treat specific skin conditions like acne or eczema. They definitely don’t need all these serums, masks, oils, toners, etc. that involve multiple steps.”

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Photo of holiday skin care set.

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dr. Shirazi says it’s important for children old enough to explore skin care to understand that they need to “recognize the skin as a highly functional organ.”

“It’s not designed to receive multiple products or multiple steps in a particular routine,” he explains. “It’s also best to avoid bombarding the skin with multiple products at once because if their skin reacts negatively, it will be harder to pinpoint the culprit. It’s best to introduce one product at a time and give it a few weeks before adding another.”

Using too many skin products runs the risk of “long-term skin sensitization,” warns Dr. Shirazi. “The more we’re exposed to products, the more likely our skin is to form memories of skincare ingredients that will result in rashes and acne later in life.”

Stock image of makeup and skin care on a silky pink background.

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Using products intended for mature skin can also be harmful if applied unnecessarily to young skin.

“Teenage skin has a different microbiome than mature skin. Their hormonal climate, which dictates many skin functions, is also vastly different,” explains Dr. Shirazi.

“They will have more oil production and a faster rate of cell renewal compared to older skin. Many products intended to slow down aging are not necessary for young skin. Not only are they unnecessary, but they can also disrupt their skin’s barrier and microclimate. This in turn can lead to increased breakouts, dry, irritated patches or skin damage.”

Still, Dr. Shirazi says parents should encourage teens and tweens to take an interest in skin care because “it’s important to establish healthy routines at an early age.”

“Just like brushing your teeth, it’s important to apply sunscreen to protect yourself from sun damage and skin cancer,” she notes.

“Quality products can play an important role in treating teenage skin, and there are many great options at various price points. It’s best to look for products that are gentle, non-comedogenic, and formulated without potential sensitizing agents or allergens.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education