It used to be cute to see kids raiding mom’s makeup, but the Sephora Kids trend has escalated beyond cuteness.
Makeup and skincare tutorials and influencer-sponsored ads on social media are driving children as young as 10 to hoard expensive beauty stores to get their hands on the latest beauty products.
Posts and videos tagged with the “Sephora Kids” label feature teenagers trying out products in beauty stores and sharing their “discoveries” and personal skincare and makeup routines online. ing.
Children have also been recorded ransacking stores and mistreating employees in order to get their hands on the latest “must haves” or try out testers.
However, most of these products are manufactured and sold to adults and teens and are not intended for children. Some are made specifically for mature skin over 40 years old.
While some parents are putting the brakes on their kids’ spending, others are completely determined to let their kids spend what they want and where they want. The products are not cheap. Sephora Kids primarily targets high-end products, some of which cost over a few hundred dollars.
Dermatologists, mental health experts and retailers agree. This is a fad that needs to go away.
Is the Sephora Kids trend a problem in Central Jersey?
Sonia Rodriguez, a psychotherapist and senior director of school and community-based programs at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, said Central Jersey has been affected by the outbreak.
“We’re looking at it,” she said. “I think it makes sense in areas that tend to be a little bit more affluent because some of these products are very expensive. So we definitely see a situation like this throughout New Jersey and other parts of the country. You can see it.”
This trend has started gaining momentum over the past 6-12 months. She’s seen it blow up on TikTok, but she noted that kids are also sharing it on other social media sites like YouTube, SnapChat, and Instagram.
“Kids are really into these products,” she said. “Kids do everything on FaceTime and Snapchat, so they feel like there’s a lot of focus on their faces. And hackers and Instagrammers are actually targeting people who are going to buy these products. But I also think it’s consistent with a growing population of affiliate marketers and influencers. ”
Dr. Cindy Wassef, assistant professor of dermatology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, has seen it in action in her dermatology practice.
more:Young girls are rushing to Sephora in what some are calling an “epidemic.” So we spoke to their mothers.
That curiosity can lead to feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out), or the feeling that you have to do something because everyone else seems to be doing it, Wassef said. Stated.
“They look at TikTok and Instagram to learn how to use the product,” Wassef said. “And I think people who see something a lot are curious because there are so many options out there.”
What are the mental health implications for Sephora Kids?
Rodriguez said it’s not unusual to feel pressured about appearance.
“Children can have a lot of anxiety about their appearance,” she says. “In the pre-teen years, there are a lot of issues around identity that occur, and children are absorbing content that is not necessarily age-appropriate. It is important to discuss this and make sure that children feel appropriate for their age group.If children feel that they do not fit in or can relate to their peer group, this can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. There is sex.”
Rodriguez says that when anxiety about appearance is combined with financial stress, the desire to fit in becomes even more acute.
“If their family doesn’t have this money and they feel all kinds of pressures like, ‘Everyone around me can buy these things, but I can’t,'” she says. “(Parents) want to be able to talk to their friends about the product.”
But Rodriguez believes the Sephora Kids trend is “just something that comes and goes.”
“I think it has a lot to do with kids being so concerned about how they look and how they present themselves on FaceTime and things like that,” she said. “And I think it definitely provides a clear opportunity to engage with kids and learn about what’s important to them, why it’s important, and provide alternatives.” .”
What effect does it actually have on their skin?
Rodriguez said much of what tweens buy and use is “unnecessary.”
For example, anti-aging products containing retinol are not made for children.
Wassef said the right age is key. Teens don’t need more skin care than a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
“The important thing is that at that age you don’t need a lot of things,” Wassef said. “Continuous use of products and starting at such an early age can cause problems early in life. Also, from an anti-aging perspective, the world’s most aging items are It’s the sun. Sunscreen is much more effective than these products.”
Social media targets skin problems that children don’t have, such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and other signs of aging.
But the charm remains, since children are interested in trying new products. Wassef says there are risks to this.
“They can definitely be very irritating to the skin and can cause dermatitis like eczema or even lead to acne breakouts,” she says. “This is due to the many products that are used to try to prevent these problems. But when you use so many products that have ingredients that do the same thing or make the side effects worse, you definitely get inflammation, It can cause redness, itching, or skin irritation, so it’s best not to use it if you don’t need it.
Wassef has seen children and teens go through complex, multi-step skin care regimens. Some already had acne, eczema, rashes, or sensitive skin conditions, and over-prescribing won’t help their skin.
There are also long-term effects of using these products.
“Over time, you can develop something called allergic contact dermatitis,” Wassef says. “This type of allergy is caused by frequent contact. So if you start at a young age and you’re using a lot of products, you’re essentially using a lot of preservatives because there are a lot of preservatives that you need.” However, with increased exposure, you are more likely to develop allergic contact dermatitis, eczema, rashes, and breakouts.
Sephora Kids Parent Suggestions
Rodriguez advises parents to pay attention to what their children are buying and seeing on social media.
“Sit down with them, watch TikTok with them and get a feel for what content they’re into,” Rodriguez said. “And if they want to buy these products, ask them why it’s important to them. Discuss what ages these products are suitable for. ‘Yes, I want to take care of my skin.’ , it’s great that you’re taking care of your skin.’ I think it’s important to say, ‘It’s great that you’re taking care of your skin.’ I think it’s important as we age, especially for teenagers who are starting to get breakouts, or athletes who need to get rid of excess oil and sweat. I think it needs to be appropriate.”
Rodriguez said parents shouldn’t ignore their teens’ anxiety.
“It’s important to talk about what’s important to them,” she says. “And since they’re at this stage of identity formation and trying to figure out who they are, try to have an educational conversation. Ask them why. Why do they like this product? How did you hear about this product? Who uses this? Let’s sit down and find out if this product is right for you. ” Try to provide as much information as possible, and even if you feel like “that’s not right” and want to close it, don’t close it right away.
“We want kids to feel like we’re listening to them and understand why this is important to them, but also help them make better decisions about their skin care. I want to lead the children in this way.”
The goal is not to shut them out, but to learn what’s important to them and offer alternatives.
Regarding children being allowed to wander around the store alone, Rodriguez said many parents are reluctant to let their 10-year-old go to the store unaccompanied. He said there are some parents who don’t see it as a problem. There are compromises, she says.
“I walk behind them,” said the mother of 12 sons. “So the kids feel independent. They’re walking around, but the parents are a few steps behind. Tweens are at an age where they want to be independent and they don’t want to feel like they’re with them all the time. ‘Parents think it’s one of the best options.’ ”
Email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter.MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network.Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or@CherylMakin. For unlimited access, subscribe or activate your digital account today.
