HARTFORD, CT (WFSB/Gray News) – Officials are urging parents to be cautious of anti-aging skincare products that are being marketed to children.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined medical experts from the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for a news conference on Monday morning to discuss the products.
Tong says the products target kids over social media and are being pitched as holiday items.
He said many of the anti-aging products contain active ingredients, including retinol and other acids, that are often unsuitable for, and potentially even harmful to, children’s skin.
Despite that, he said social media has been rife with influencer content that has targeted young users and suggested that such products would help achieve youthful glowing skin.
One product, Drunk Elephant, comes in bright and fun packaging, enticing the younger crowd to a product they do not need to use.
“Pediatricians will often get kids that will come in with irritated skin,” said Juan C. Salazar, MD, Physician-in-Chief, Connecticut Children’s.
“What a kid needs to worry about is not signs of aging,” added Tong.
Drunk Elephants Itty, Bitty, Midi Committee Acid Kit, sold by beauty retailers, is what kids are becoming fixated on.
“The packaging is obviously geared to kids, teens, and tweens,” Tong said.
“These products can lead to irritation, redness, breakouts, and longer-term danger,” said Salazar.
Officials say social media platforms are placing them on young children’s algorithms.
While 19-year-old Vivian Fuller has stopped using Drunk Elephant products, she said she once felt influenced by TikTok to use them a few years ago.
Tong sent a letter to beauty retailer Sephora questioning the company on its marketing strategy, specifically for how they target kids, tweens and teens.
Salazar says there are no warnings on the products against usage. Parents should read the ingredients and be aware of what’s in their children’s products.
“As a parent, you need to pay attention to what your kids are buying. Look at the labels. Many of these things they don’t need,” Salazar said.
Salazar says skincare for young children should be simple.
For teens, it’s always best to reach out to a doctor before introducing products with active ingredients.
Also, it is important to remember that just because a product looks like it’s geared to a younger demographic does not mean they should be using it.
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