Kids as young as 7 are promoting skin care regimens on TikTok that may be harmful to their skin and mental health, researchers warn.
A new study warns kids as young as 7 are demonstrating skin care routines on TikTok that may be harmful to their skin and mental health.
Researchers say many of the products being promoted have little-to-no benefit in youth and contain potentially irritating ingredients such as lactic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E.
For the study, two of the researchers opened TikTok accounts, reporting themselves as 13 years old.
They compiled 100 unique skin care videos, calculated the number, types and costs of the products, and created a list of active and inactive ingredients.
The content creators were 7 – 18 years of age. And their videos featured an average of 6 products costing $168.
According to the results, the 25 most-viewed videos contained an average of 11 potentially irritating active ingredients… the most common … citric acid.
And 20 of the inactive ingredients on the list are included in the Pediatric Baseline Series, which tests for allergens known to cause contact dermatitis in children.
The authors say physical health isn’t the only thing at risk here.
They say, “These regimens … may expose children to harm by potentially amplifying unattainable beauty standards and age bias while causing potential irritation, allergies and sun damage.”
Source: Pediatrics
Author Affiliations: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
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