Parents warn against anti-aging skin care products marketed to children

HARTFORD, Connecticut (WFSB/Gray News ) – Officials are urging parents to be cautious about anti-aging skin care products marketed to children.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined medical experts from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center at a news conference Monday morning to discuss the products.

Tong says these products are targeted at children on social media and promoted as holiday items.

He said many anti-aging products contain active ingredients, including retinol and other acids, which are often not suitable for children’s skin and are potentially even harmful.

Despite this, he said social media is full of influencer content aimed at younger users, and suggested such products would help achieve youthful and glowing skin.

One product, Drunk Elephant, comes in bright and funny packaging, attracting young people to a product they don’t need to use.

“Pediatricians often see children with irritated skin,” said Juan K. Salazar, MD, chief physician at Connecticut Children’s Clinic.

“It’s not the signs of aging that a child needs to worry about,” Tong added.

The Drunk Elephants Itty, Bitty, Midi Committee Acid Kit, sold at beauty supply retailers, is something that kids are getting hooked on.

“The packaging is obviously aimed at children, tweens and tweens,” Tong said.

“These products can cause irritation, redness, rashes and long-term danger,” Salazar said.

Officials say social media platforms are placing them on the algorithms of young children.

Although 19-year-old Vivian Fuller has stopped using Drunk Elephant products, she said she was once influenced by TikTok to use them a few years ago.

Tong sent a letter to cosmetics retailer Sephora asking the company about its marketing strategy, including how it targets children, teens and tweens.

Salazar says there are no warnings against using the products. Parents should read the ingredients and know what is in their children’s products.

“As a parent, you have to pay attention to what your children buy. Look at the labels. They don’t need a lot of these things,” Salazar said.

Salazar says skin care for young children should be kept simple.

For teenagers, it is always best to consult a doctor before introducing products with active ingredients.

Also, it’s important to remember that just because a product looks like it’s aimed at a younger demographic doesn’t mean they should use it.