Skincare: Children 'using creams not intended for their age'

Dermatologists - the people who look after your skin - have warned that young people are being advertised skincare products that are not suitable for their age. Some children are seeing these products promoted on social media and asking their parents for them.

There is currently a trend, in various skincare products, towards looking younger with anti-ageing creams. However, some of these contain ingredients that aren't good for young skin.

The British Association for Dermatologists has warned that using certain skincare products could leave children with skin problems.

What's the problem?

Some children, as young as eight, are using skincare products that can contain harmful active ingredients, which should only be used by adults.

We spoke to some children who said there is a problem with young people using products that are for adults. One girl told us, they know some creams contain acids, which aren't good for young people. Another child told us they see these products on TikTok and they want them because they look fun.

Dr Aamna Adel is a dermatologist who runs a social media account to help debunk skincare myths.

Dr Adel told Newsround, "a lot more kids are using way more skincare products than they've ever used."

"One of the issues is that children are using creams that are not intended for their age group, they're actually for adults, and they contain ingredients like retinol, vitamin c and exfoliating acids, that treat concerns like wrinkles, pigmentation and large pores, which children don't have. They can cause a lot more harm than good."

Advice on skincare

Dr Aamna Adel is a dermatologist who helps debunk skincare myths on social media

Dr Adel says her best advice for skincare is to keep it simple and stick to two or three steps, "a cleanser, moisturiser and sun cream."

Lots of the children we spoke to also gave their advice, including speaking to an adult you trust and visiting your GP or pharmacy.

One girl added, "You don't need to worry about your skin at all because you're beautiful the way you are."