Q&A with dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett, on raising ‘Sephora Kids’

“Sephora Kids” may be asking to receive moisturizers — not Barbies — this holiday season.

The rise of beauty influencers on social media has bolstered demand for skincare products by teens and pre-teens a trend dubbed “Sephora Kids,” after the popular beauty product store.

The trend may have some parents wondering how best to respond if their young kids ask to receive moisturizers or retinol creams this Christmas.

To answer this and other questions, Canadian Affairs reporter Hadassah Alencar spoke with Dr. Lisa Kellett, an aesthetic dermatologist at DLK on Avenue, a Toronto dermatology clinic.

HA: How real is the Sephora Kids phenomenon? Have you noticed an increase in parents or their kids asking about skincare products?

LK: It’s not really the kids. Parents are coming in saying, ‘My 10-year-old or 11-year-old is going to Sephora and they want to buy all the skincare. What should I do?’ It definitely is a phenomenon where children are being influenced by what they see on social media.

HA: Should we be worried about the Sephora Kids trend? 

LK: If you had an issue with your heart, you would see a cardiologist. If you had a brain tumour, you would see a neurosurgeon. Similarly, you should only follow skincare advice from a dermatologist — not someone who is uneducated with respect to skin, skin care and skin disease. You do not want to get medical information from the internet, from someone who is not qualified.

HA: Generation Alpha is often criticized for being susceptible to influencers’ opinions. But are adults any better? Have you noticed adults adopting ill-advised skincare routines based on online videos?

LK: Yes. For example, there is something on the internet about cat urine being used in a skincare routine. And people have adopted that. 

Absolutely, there is misinformation on the internet and social media regarding skin care and skincare routines. I think the public has to be educated to get their advice from a dermatologist, rather than influencers.

HA: Millennials wore Smackers lip gloss when they were growing up. But some young kids today brag about buying luxury products, like Dior lip glosses. Parents may not like the price tag, but are there any safety issues in buying luxury make-up for pre-teens?

LK: The issue is in children using skincare that is not formulated for them. For example, if you have a child with atopic dermatitis [eczema which causes dry, itchy skin] or a history of eczema, there are certain things they should avoid in skincare products. It can be unhealthy for kids to use skincare products that are not appropriate for them. 

HA: Could children potentially use these luxury products as long as they don’t have a reaction?

LK: [No]. Atopic dermatitis is a form of eczema patients can get by using skincare products that are not appropriate for them.

HA: How can parents help their kids deal with early onset acne so their kids don’t feel embarrassed to go to school?

LK: The best thing is to see your family physician or a dermatologist and get a proper, medical-grade product to treat the issue. They need to have a proper assessment to get proper skincare. 

HA: Many Canadians do not have access to a family physician, or they face long wait times to see specialists. If their kid has a few zits, and no history of eczema, what should they do?

LK: [They can use] a mild exfoliating cleanser and a gel-based moisturizer. Switch to things that are not creams, not oils and not lotion. An exfoliating cleanser [is one] with beads in it rather than an acid — it tends to be less irritating. 

HA: For parents looking to buy skincare products for their pre-teen kids this holiday season, what kind of products do you recommend?

LK: Sunscreen is the most appropriate product for young adults and young teens. They should avoid creams or heavy creams, or oils or lotions — that could potentially cause acne.

HA: Some elementary school kids are wanting to glam up for school. What kind of make-up is appropriate for pre-teens, if any, and what should parents avoid buying for their kids?

LK: The most appropriate products for preteens are sunscreen and a gel-based moisturizer. With respect to makeup, it’s a discussion parents have to have with their kids. That’s more of a personal issue. Kids should avoid using multiple products, because the more products people apply, the higher your risk of developing a reaction to them. 

HA: Social media can set unrealistic beauty standards that have a detrimental effect on kids’ mental health. How can parents best emphasize healthy beauty standards in a world where young kids are told by influencers they can buy products to improve their looks?

LK: Parents have to have a discussion with their children and also look at what they’re seeing on social media, and what they’re looking at. [When] we grew up there was TV, and parents would need to monitor what kind of content their children were watching on TV. It’s the same with social media.

This article has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Source: https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2024/11/18/qa-with-dermatologist-dr-lisa-kellett-on-raising-sephora-kids/