Skincare for Kids: What Is Age-Appropriate, and What Is Not

GREAT NECK, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Skincare for kids has quietly become a retail category over the past two years, complete with its own aisles, influencers, and multi-step routines marketed to children as young as 7. Most of what's being sold has little to do with what young skin actually needs.

Drawing on guidance from board-certified dermatologists, Laser by Aleya publishes the following guide to age-appropriate skincare for children. It examines what's driving the trend, what young skin actually needs, and when a product aisle should give way to a doctor's office instead.

Skincare for Kids: How a Children's Category Appeared

Skincare content aimed at children didn't emerge from a single product launch. It grew out of social media, where "get ready with me" videos and elaborate selfies made skincare collecting a visible, shareable activity, and where beauty retailers began stocking younger shoppers accordingly.

Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, a study analyzing 100 popular skincare videos aimed at teens and tweens found more than 250 unique products featured, many containing potent active ingredients, with a majority of the most-viewed videos promoting products containing known allergens.

What Is Driving the Trend

Interest in skincare among children isn't inherently a problem, and dermatologists are careful to say so.

"Many hormone changes are in fluctuation for the tween population," Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas, told NBC News.

She notes that this age group can see a wide range of skin types emerge, from oily and acne-prone to dry and sensitive, which naturally invites curiosity about a routine.

Natalie Cunningham, a pediatric dermatologist in Halifax, told CBC News she's seen a similar rise in interest among her own patients aged 10 to 12, driven largely by product routines shared on social media. What concerns her isn't the interest itself. The concern is that much of it gravitates toward products marketed as anti-aging, packaged appealingly for a much younger audience than they were formulated for.

What Young Skin Actually Needs, and It Is Very Little

A gentle cleanser, a moisturizer where needed, and sun protection guidance cover what dermatologists consistently recommend for children's skin. That's the full list. Nothing about a child's skin requires more than that, regardless of what a routine posted online might suggest.

Tween Skincare: The Ingredients to Skip

Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, recommends that tweens and teens avoid products containing retinol, vitamin C, and exfoliating acids. Notably, these ingredients are formulated to target wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven tone, concerns that simply don't apply to a child's skin.

Per the American Academy of Dermatology, aggressive exfoliation and acids carry a real risk of irritation, and that risk is higher on developing skin. Alcohol-based toners and other products designed to strip oil belong on the same skip list. This is because they can disrupt a skin barrier that's thinner and more permeable in children than in adults.

What Product Marketing Does Not Say About Actives on Young Skin

Packaging built around bright colors and fruit scents doesn't change what an ingredient does. Products formulated for adult skin typically don't include age-suitability guidance because they were never tested with kids in mind.

That gap between what's sold and who it's suited for is the actual problem here, not any single ingredient or brand. Published guidance on skincare routines spells this out clearly, leaving little room to misread once you see it laid out.

When a Child Wants a 10-Step Routine

Dermatologists who work with this age group tend to treat the request as ordinary rather than alarming. A child asking for a routine is often expressing the same curiosity and desire to participate in something social as any other trend, and shutting the request down outright tends to backfire.

A more useful response is to redirect it: Help a child build a simple, consistent routine (cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen). Then treat that as a genuine routine worth being proud of, rather than a smaller version of an adult one.

Skincare for Kids: When to See a Dermatologist

The skincare aisle isn't the right answer for every concern. Dermatologists recommend an actual appointment when a child has:

• Persistent or worsening acne that doesn't respond to a gentle routine
• Signs of eczema, rosacea, or other skin conditions that haven't been diagnosed
• A reaction, rash, or irritation following a new product

In each case, a dermatologist can identify what's happening and recommend an appropriate approach. This is a different task entirely from choosing a product off a shelf.

That distinction, between a routine worth building and a concern worth a doctor's visit, is the whole point of a guide like this one. Laser by Aleya published it to put dermatologists' guidance directly in front of parents, rather than add another voice to the trend.

About Laser by Aleya
Laser by Aleya is an award-winning provider of professional New York laser and electrolysis hair removal services based in Great Neck. Founded by Aleya Bamdad, the clinic delivers personalized treatments supported by advanced laser technology and carefully selected beauty supplies. With over 20 years of experience, Laser by Aleya is committed to safety, education, and consistent results.

Media Contact
Aleya Bamdad
Founder & CEO
Laser by Aleya
[email protected]
(516) 551-8194

SOURCE Laser by Aleya