What to know before you buy your tween those viral skincare products

Sarah Tarca, co-founder of the beauty newsletter Gloss Etc, has had her eyeballs all over everything tween-related since her days as magazine editor. “The pressure to look a certain way is greater than ever,” says Tarca. “School no longer ends at 3pm, it ends when they switch their phones off – so basically, never.”

These girls see influencers on social media sharing their “get ready with me” skincare routines and want to be a part of the action; you only have to head into a Mecca store to see what a honey pot it is for this age group. It’s fine for colour cosmetics but when it comes to skincare, some basic guidance is a necessity.

What’s perplexing is that so many kids are so focused on products created for and marketed to adults looking to “smooth out wrinkles” – hardly the concern of a 10-year-old! Offering advice to parents, prominent US dermatologist Dr Naana Boakye says, “You need to ask your child, ‘What are you trying to address with that product? You do not need four moisturisers, five cleansers and three toners.’”

But simply saying no is perhaps not the best way to go, either. If you dismiss your child’s interest, they’ll go back to their peers or social media for the advice they think they need. I made this error with my son when he was 15 and complaining about acne. I dismissed his concerns but realised my mistake when I opened my credit card statement to find he’d used the card to order a celebrity-endorsed acne product. Lesson learnt.

So, for those controlling the purse strings, what do kids really need in a starter skincare kit? Begin with a gentle cleanser such as Go-To Properly Clean Cleanser ($33) and a lightweight moisturiser with built-in sunscreen, like Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50+ ($52). When hormonal spots start appearing, add a gentle BHA/salicylic acid such as The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution ($11) to help unclog pores. At night, replace the SPF moisturiser with a water-based one; we like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel ($23).

With the basics covered, keep more extravagant products such Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum ($86) or Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist ($40) for birthdays and special occasions.

ASK STEPH