The Rise of “Sephora Kids”: When Skincare Becomes Something Else

Have you ever looked at your bathroom shelf and realised your 10-year-old has a fancier skincare lineup than you ever did? You know the scene: pastel bottles lined up like little soldiers, serums with names you can’t pronounce, creams promising to glow, plump, smooth and erase. And for a fleeting second, you might wonder:

Wait, did I miss a memo?

Because suddenly, childhood doesn’t smell like mud pies and bubble baths anymore. It smells like glycolic acid and retinol. Welcome to the world of “Sephora Kids.”

At first glance, it sounds kind of sweet, right? Kids exploring skincare, bonding over routines, getting into self-care. And sometimes, that’s exactly what it is. But sometimes, it’s something else entirely.

When Childhood Smells Like Anti-Ageing Cream

This new wave of skincare-savvy kids isn’t just dabbling in lip gloss or borrowing mum’s moisturiser. We’re talking full routines here. Night creams. Active ingredients that dermatologists say are not just unnecessary; they can actually be harmful for young, developing skin.

Retinol. Vitamin C. Peptides. Acids that work wonders for grown-up skin but can strip, irritate, or sensitise skin that’s still figuring itself out.

It’s not just about skincare anymore. It’s about aspiration. It’s about identity. It’s TikTok tutorials and Sephora shopping hauls. It’s kids getting the message that their skin, just as it is, isn’t quite good enough.

But Here’s the Thing: Their Skin IS Good Enough

Dermatologists keep saying it, gently but firmly: young skin is different. It’s resilient. It heals fast. It doesn’t need correcting or “fixing” or anti-ageing anything.

In fact, slathering on adult actives can do more harm than good:

-Kids skin barriers are thinner, so they get irritated more easily.

-They produce less oil, so their skin dries out faster.

-Their skin is more sensitive, so they’re more likely to react or develop allergies.

And yet, here we are. Tweens stressing about fine lines that don’t exist. Ten-year-olds worrying about serums. Dermatologists treating eczema and peeling caused by products meant for people decades older.

This Isn’t About Blame

If you’re a parent, this might feel overwhelming. You’re not alone.

We all want the best for our kids. We want to support their interests, nurture their curiosity and encourage self-care. But it’s easy to miss the moment when self-care turns into self-correction.

That thin line between self-worth and self-doubt? It starts early. Especially when the world keeps whispering that beauty takes effort and that being barefaced, unfiltered and uncorrected isn’t quite enough.

So, What Should Kids Actually Use?

Experts agree: the best skincare routine for young skin is the simplest one:

-A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser

-A basic moisturiser that won’t clog pores

-Sunscreen every morning (SPF 30 or higher)

That’s it. No retinol. No acid peels. No fancy age-defying creams. The only thing their skin really needs right now is kindness and time.

If acne pops up? That’s a conversation for a doctor or paediatric dermatologist, not a TikTok influencer with a promo code.

The Power (and Pressure) of Social Media

Let’s be real: TikTok and Instagram have a massive influence, often in ways we don’t see. Kids are watching older teens and influencers show off elaborate routines with dreamy results. There’s a certain glamour to it. A promise. A sense of control.

But what’s missing? Context. Skin types. Medical advice. Age-appropriateness. The truth that most of these products weren’t made for kids and don’t belong on their skin.

Social media isn’t all bad. It can be a space for connection and creativity. But it can also blur the line between play and pressure. And tweens are still figuring out where that line is.

What Are We Really Teaching Them?

Maybe this is the real question. Beyond the products, the packaging and price tags: what are we really teaching our kids?

That skin needs to be perfect?
That ageing is a problem?
That beauty is earned, bought, maintained?

Or could we teach something else? That skin changes. That acne is normal. That no one needs to “fix” a face that’s still growing. That their value isn’t in how smooth or dewy their skin looks; but in how they feel in it.

What If Less Really Is More?

This isn’t about banning Sephora or shaming kids for being curious. It’s about balance. About letting curiosity flourish without feeding insecurity. About keeping skincare in its rightful place: as a tool, not a trophy.

Because sometimes, the most radical message we can send our kids is this:

You’re okay. Just as you are.
Your skin is enough.
You are enough.

Let’s Lead with Education, Not Escalation

As adults, parents, teachers, brands, influencers, we have the chance to change the story. To talk about marketing. To question trends. To teach kids to look in the mirror without searching for flaws.

Let’s give them the gift of information over impulse. Of protection over performance. Of simplicity over sophistication.

Let’s help them learn that real self-care starts with self-kindness. And that no bottle, no matter how pretty, can do what confidence can.

Because when it comes to our kids, the most powerful skincare ingredient is simple:

Love. Unfiltered, uncomplicated and unconditional.