Why Are We Recommending Actives for a 10-year-old When They Have Healthy Skin?
Over the last couple of years, I’ve watched something happen in the skincare industry that honestly makes me uneasy. I've seen young kids, both genders starting to use actives on their healthy skin. It's a disturbing trend and it has to stop. These 9, 10, 11-year-olds are learning to use retinol, exfoliating acids, “anti-aging” serums and other actives from social media and some skincare brands that can be potentially dangerous to their skin and health...and I'm not ok with it. Here's my thoughts...
Kids’ Skin Is Not Mini Adult Skin
Between ages 9–12, the skin is still developing. The outer barrier — the part that protects against moisture loss and irritation — is thinner and more delicate than adult skin. Oil production hasn’t fully ramped up yet. Hormones haven’t shifted. The microbiome is still stabilizing. There is no aging process to correct, there is no collagen loss happening, and there is nothing to “prevent.” Healthy products that are designed for Adult skin--often 21+ is not always safe for "kids" 18 and under.
Why I worry about is this:
When we introduce strong actives too early — retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, high-dose vitamin C — we can actually disrupt a perfectly healthy barrier. That can lead to irritation, sensitivity, redness, and in some cases, long-term reactive skin.
What 9–12 Year Olds Actually Need
This stage is about building habits — not correcting problems.
If your child wants to start a skincare routine because they see you doing yours, I actually love that. It’s bonding. It’s sweet. It’s them learning self-care.
Just keep it simple! At Simple Body, that looks like:
- Chamomile Foaming Face Wash, morning and night
- Face Cream, morning and night
- Think Sun Serum in the morning
Sunscreen is the most evidence-based “anti-aging” step there is. Building that habit early does more than starting retinol at 10 ever could.
“But I Want to Be Like Mom”
If they want something a little extra because they see you doing masks or tools, that’s okay — with boundaries.
A Kaolin clay mask once a week is a gentle option. Kaolin is one of the mildest clays and can lightly lift surface debris without stripping the skin. Keep it short. Five to seven minutes. Moisturize afterward.
Basic tools are generally fine too:
• Jade roller
• A cotton facial pouf or pad
• Soft silicone cleansing brush
What I would avoid at this age:
• Microdermabrasion devices
• Dermaplaning blades
• High-frequency wands
• Aggressive spin brushes
• LED acne masks
• Anything that exfoliates, suctions, scrapes, shocks, or heats
At 10 years old, we are not resurfacing skin.
We are protecting it.
Ingredients I Would Not Use on 9–12 Year Olds
Just to be very clear, I would avoid products containing:
• Retinol or any retinoids
• Glycolic, lactic, mandelic, or salicylic acid
• AHAs, BHAs, PHAs
• High-strength vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
• Benzoyl peroxide
• High-percentage niacinamide (10%+)
• Peptide “anti-aging” complexes
Healthy pre-teen skin does not need stimulation or correction, it needs support.
The Bigger Conversation
There’s something else underneath this trend.
When a 10-year-old believes they need anti-aging products, what are we teaching them about their skin?
Healthy, developing skin is not a problem to solve.
If we can teach our kids to cleanse gently, moisturize consistently, and to protect their skin from the sun...we are giving them something far more powerful than a 12-step routine. We are giving them confidence and respect for their body.
xoxo,
Jewels