EXCLUSIVE Girls as young as nine left with 'severe eczema and acne' after using skincare products containing 'harsh chemicals' only suitable for adults
Girls as young as nine have been left with 'severe eczema and acne' after using skincare products marketed at their age group that contain 'harsh chemicals' only suitable for adults.
Dermatologists say they are increasingly concerned by the rise in so-called 'tweens' – those in between childhood and teenage years - being gifted expensive creams and serums by their parents who have no knowledge of the dangerous ingredients involved.
And education experts and heads have warned against the trend for every younger girls to crave the high-end creams, with one dubbing it the 'most worrying story' since the issues thrown up by 'Adolescence' with its themes of toxic masculinity.
They say school-aged girls have begun to demand their own skincare regime of up to 12 products in a bid to achieve the unattainable standards they have seen on social media and to avoid social exclusion from bullies.
Experts have described treating a rising number of children for contact sensitisation, redness and skin conditions after the pre-pubescent group opted for anti-ageing products that come in bright packaging seemingly targeted at their demographic.
Consultant dermatologist Dr Timothy Howel Clayton fears that girls could be left suffering from mental health issues, including anxiety and body dysmorphia, as they 'aim for a perfection that we know does not exist'.
He added: 'I see some children with severe eczema and acne and advised that they need to stop some of the creams that they have purchased, particularly the ones targeted at their age group.
'The branding of these products is specifically marketed towards children: often using brightly coloured containers with some even having devices that enable the cream to come out in the shape of a flower to particularly appeal to children.
'A number of the ingredients are often used in anti-aging with harsh chemicals that should be avoided in young children, they do not require acids and retinol.
'There are an increasing number of products and this seems to be an evolving market for manufacturers.'
Education expert Chloe Combi, who has worked with leading private schools including Radley and Prince William and Prince Harry's old school, Ludgrove, said: 'Essentially, after the Adolescence story, the absolute bombardment of girls via social media by brands that are convincing them that they need 'skin regimes' that are complex and full of ingredients that should be nowhere near young skin is by far the most worrying story I've discovered in my work.'
She dubbed the 'toxic positivity' used to target the tween market as 'cultish' and similar to the 'aesthetics' deployed by vape companies to create an 'addictive teen brand'.
The rise of skinfluencers has also concerned leading heads including Fionnuala Kennedy.
'Girls as young as 11 are now craving the types of high-end, expensive creams and cleansers my generation would only ever have associated with their mothers, and even then probably only as a Christmas gift,' the Head of Wimbledon High School said.
Earlier this year a study suggested that children could even face an increased risk of cancer, hormonal imbalances and long-term skin damage with heightened sensitivity due to their skin not being developed enough for adult brands.
In recent weeks a study by Pai Skincare of 1,500 girls aged between nine and 12 revealed that one in four already use Retinol and AHAs, a type of chemical exfoliant.
Sarah Brown, the founder of the cosmetic company, blames parents who are 'clueless' when it comes to what products contain and their side effects.
Describing the young demographic as 'skincare obsessed', she predicts that tweens will end up in GP clinics in as little as five years for 'psychological and physical' reasons if the usage continues in this way.
Dr Wisam Alwan, an NHS consultant dermatologist, warned of the 'severe' reactions from allergens found in some of the products commonly used by tweens, including redness, flaking, irritation and swelling.
Whilst irritants can increase the risk of infection, retinoids offer a potential for burning, peeling, itching, skin discoloration and in some cases, conditions including perioral dermatitis.
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