Latest news with #tweens
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Black-Owned Brand For Tweens And Teens Is Leading The First-Period Revolution
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. It's a reasonable assumption: of course the impetus for two women starting a menstrual care brand for tweens and teens would be their own first-period stories. But in the case of RedDrop's co-founders, educator Dana Roberts and Dr. Monica Williams, you would be wrong. When the two set out to build a holistic safe haven for young girls and their parents, their sole motivation was the next generation. More from SheKnows Charlotte Tilbury's New 'Unreal' Blush Stick Is Like a Facelift in a Tube & Perfect for a 'No-Makeup' Summer Look Today's Top Deals How Do You Raise Good Kids in Terrifying Times? 'Hello, Cruel World' Author Melinda Wenner Moyer Has Ideas Think Spring! Target Just Added Tons of Gorgeous New Patio Items Target Is Having a Can't-Miss Spring Sandal Sale for Circle Members 'Red Drop was started out of my classroom,' Roberts, then a fifth-grade teacher recalls. 'I was teaching in a single gender environment, and so I had a classroom full of 22 fifth-grade girls and my daughter was in the fifth grade at that time. More than half of them started their periods with me. And it was crazy, it was insane. In particular, there was one story where a girl asked me if she was dying. So that really changed the whole dynamic of my classroom.' Roberts's response was an early iteration of what would become RedDrop's signature period kits. Initially dubbed 'First Purse,' the makeshift set included a pair of underwear, pads, tampons, wipes, a disposable trash bag and small calendar. But Roberts knew her curated approach needed to extend further, so she looked to tap her sister-in-law, Dr. Monica Williams. 'Monica is a serial entrepreneur. So I went to her and I was like, 'Hey, I have this idea,'' says Roberts. 'She was knee-deep into her own company and she couldn't see it at the time, but that was because my niece McKenzie was only a baby.' Buying into RedDrop took a few more years, but Dr. Williams eventually returned to the idea once she realized her own daughter's first period was looming. 'As a physician, still not being really clear on how to have that conversation without making it sound like a lifelong disease was really tricky,' she admits. All of a sudden, Roberts's initially-forgettable idea was a close-to-home need for Dr. Williams, and the two joined forces to create the RedDrop brand in 2019. The origin story underscored an idea that would become essential to their undertaking. 'No matter the profession, no matter how educated you are, it has to resonate,' Roberts notes. 'It has to sometimes literally be like, 'Oh my God, my baby's 10, it's coming.'' With new-and-improved period kits, specialized smaller-fit pads, hygiene wipes, educational resources and a newly-released swimwear line, Roberts and Dr. Williams are changing the period game for children and parents alike, offering a range of resources that remains rare amongst larger-scale feminine product brands. For now, it's still a revolution. But they're both hoping it won't be one forever. Dr. Monica Williams: Let me ask you a question. Do you remember your first period? MW: Yes, I would love to hear your story, but what I'll tell you is, it is a keystone memory for 99 percent of women. And that right there is why we do what we do. Let's hear your story. Dana Roberts: I think about when we have these conversations, especially—and I'm very unapologetic when I say Black women and Black girls will experience higher rates of sexual exploitation. Black women also experience higher rates of medical systemic racism. So I often think, what if we could have this conversation to start advocacy on how you navigate your relationships with your body and not just sexual or love relationships? I'm talking about your relationship with your doctor, your relationship with your coaches, your relationship with yourself, your parents. The more and more and more I become immersed in this work, it is just so super important, especially to a demographic of women and girls who just face so many challenges in trying to empower themselves and advocate for themselves about their bodies. Trauma's usually passed down, for the most part. And so how I look at it is, our parents and our caretakers did the best that they could do. And now, for us, it's just shifting the whole narrative, like not sexualizing periods and really just talking about it as a biological function. This is what's going to happen to your body. And I really do believe that if we would've had some better conversations, I'm talking about we, me and my mom, that even though she prepared me, that I would be so much better prepared for the stage that I'm in right now, which is menopause, and I'm so unprepared. MW: I don't know if I can say it was intentional from the beginning, but definitely medically, learning to advocate for yourself is huge. And I think some of the tools that we provide, really help with that. So with the period tracker, if you are able to articulate that 'I've had this many days,' or 'My cycle is this irregular' or 'Now it's regular,' and you have physical proof, you can speak about that with real clarity and get better care. Another piece of this story too, that I often forget, is to whom I'm married. He was also a single dad at the time, and your story kind of reminded me of that. And I remember during our first meeting, he recalled his daughter getting her first period and him literally not having any idea what to do. He was picking up the phone, calling his sisters, calling his mom. They came over, swooped in and kind of took care of things. But I do think this kit and the way that we started was really based on a lot of those experiences that I heard about, I didn't personally experience, but were really integral and critical to the formation of this partnership. DR: Actually, I think Monica really led that one. MW: Honestly, that came from when me and another former partner visited Douglas County. It was our first engagement and the two of us did a meeting and they mentioned bathroom passes. And so we're like, 'Sure, we can make 'em.' And that's honestly how that happened. DR: I mean it has to go hand-in-hand. I think what Monica and I have realized through this journey is that there is a very real lack of understanding. And I will say, there is a real thirst for understanding. We get in front of girls a lot, and honestly the parents are the ones that are shy and don't want to really have the conversations. But the girls are asking very pointed questions about their body, about everything. Literally when they feel comfortable, the sky's the limit with their questions. When you realize that girls are learning about their bodies sometimes through trauma-induced conversations with their parents by no fault of their own, or they're learning from their friends, or unfortunately now they have the world kind of at their fingertips and they're learning through Google, it just makes sense for us to be able to explain it in a way that they can understand it. MW: So Growing Up Powerful is actually in partnership with Rebel Girls. So Rebel Girls reached out to us and said, 'Hey, we have this Growing Up Powerful book and we really have a real concentration on puberty and periods.' And so what we partnered with them with is, that particular section all based on puberty and periods. We wrote the foreword and then sprinkled some of our advice and education through there, especially as it relates to using products and making sure that you're prepared for camp and spend-the-nights and all those things. So it was actually really a blessing, because we really wanted to write a book, but it's only us. And so to be able to partner with them to get it curated and out there was really a blessing. And it's actually, I would say one of our best sellers, we've had to keep it in rotation, which lets you know that people, parents, caretakers, girls, they want to learn about the overall, like you said, holistic experience of puberty and periods. MW: I really enjoy the in-person events where we get to interact with girls. Some of the interactions with moms, I think a lot of them are digital, but where we get to really interact with girls — I think Dana really underscored it earlier in the conversation about how open they are, how thankful they are that they can talk about this freely. Some moms are not present in the room and they can ask questions that maybe feel a little taboo. 'Am I still virgin after I use a tampon?' It's really rewarding. I think it's also refreshing because I feel like moms are the most afraid of this situation, and it's refreshing that the girls aren't and that they embrace their bodies. So I feel really rewarded by what we're doing and I'm hopeful that we are really making a long-term impact because what we're doing for this generation of girls hopefully transforms the next generation. I think it's really, really exciting. DR: I tell people when I leave this earth, my goal is if my children have daughters, it will resonate through my granddaughters and through my great-granddaughters. And that's the goal: preferably, this won't even be a conversation for them. I do think, like Monica said, we do get the most feedback, I would say from girls, but we get a lot of feedback from parents digitally. They'll do some reviews, they'll send us emails. We did a couple of focus groups and I think it's honestly sometimes a sense of relief. They're just relieved that they're there, that we are here, and that they kind of have a partner in this journey. Unless you had this amazing experience with your own mom, there's no guidebook to this. You have to figure it out. And so to be able to go to YouTube or to be able to look at our digital classes or whatever, just helps them help prepare their girls. DR: Yeah, absolutely. I'm sure I can speak for Monica on this. What we hope for is that this isn't even a real thing, it's just a normal conversation. We know that we are not going to be the anomaly on products or on this experience, and that's okay. So what we hope for is that eventually this will become such a normal process that girls have multiple options to figure out what is best for their bodies. When you say 'revolutionaries,' I have become really grounded recently in—and a lot of people don't realize— the fact that a Black woman created the sanitary belt. Mary Patrice Kenner created the sanitary belt. She got no money from that. She got no recognition except for now. Now people Google her during Black History Month and they give her props, but generationally, her family didn't get generational wealth from that, you know what I'm saying? And so it is a revolution for us to be able to continue her work on her shoulders. It's revolutionary for me. I assume too, for Monica as well, it is destined, to really catapult this Black woman because we wouldn't be here without her. DR: I would say to her that she has the opportunity to wake up every day and still do whatever she wants to do in her period journey because of the intentionality of Black women. Because we are very intentional and we believe that she deserves that holistic positive experience. What we want her to do is to take those tools, products, education, empowerment, advocacy and live her best life, whether she's on her period or not. MW: It's a mix of things. Part of me feels like this is only the beginning because kind of like Dana said, I'm also in the menopause phase, and now at the other end of this arc, you really realize how many changes our bodies go through, and that it's really just the beginning. And I think it's just important to embrace those changes, embrace your body and get ready for the next ones. But that's a hard message to give to a 10, 11-year-old kid. So what I anticipate is they're feeling curious, anxious, scared, nervous, happy, excited. There's this whole range of feelings and I think that that's all normal and that I think it's also just really important to know that you're not alone. This is happening to half of the population on this planet. So in the best way possible, feel empowered, feel a part of a huge community and embrace it and just get ready for the ride. Before you go, shop our favorite teen skincare brands: More Top Deals from SheKnows Is Walmart+ Worth It? Giada De Laurentiis' Newest Cookbook Is Packed With Italian Super Food Recipes Stanley Tumblers Now Come With New Leakproof Lids & Customers Are Raving About Them Best of SheKnows Amanda Seyfried, Megan Fox, & More Celebrities Who Have OCD 18 Baking Soda-Free Natural Deodorants That Won't Irritate Your Sensitive Pits 24 Celebrities Living With Autoimmune Disorders
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Target's $9 Snack Boxes Are My All-Time Hack for Busy Moms with Tweens On the Go
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. For moms with tweens involved in sports and other activities, finding the time to ensure your kids are properly fueled for the day can be challenging. My daughter is in all-star cheer and just took on school cheer this year, so most of our after-school time was spent running to and from practices. That means that my nag was always filled with wasteful l ziplock bags that would get lost in the car. That's where snackle boxes came in to help. I discovered them by scrolling TikTok (of course) and had to grab a few. Luckily, Target has them for under $10! More from SheKnows Tory Burch's Semi-Annual Sale Is Back With a *Ton* of Cute Sandals for Less Than $90 - Including Millers! Today's Top Deals How Do You Raise Good Kids in Terrifying Times? 'Hello, Cruel World' Author Melinda Wenner Moyer Has Ideas Think Spring! Target Just Added Tons of Gorgeous New Patio Items Target Is Having a Can't-Miss Spring Sandal Sale for Circle Members The Melii Snackle Box Mini is my favorite mom hack for offering my daughter nutritious snacks that keep her full between meals. The snack box is perfect for tossing into your favorite bag or backpack so they can easily access it. Plus, the lid keeps everything secure and in place so the snacks are mixed. We've taken it on flights and long road trips, and it's always a hit with our family! $9 Buy Now The Melii Snackle Box Mini offers six compartments. Each section keeps snacks separate, making it perfect for kids who prefer their food not to touch. I typically create a fun snack scheme — sometimes with fruits and cheese, and others with other snacks and sweet treats. It's also fun to get your kids involved and let them create a snackle box for themselves. The snack box is so convenient and makes being on-the-go a breeze for families, but don't just take my word for it. Here's what other parents are saying. 'Perfect for snacks on the go, minimizes the number of containers I've been bringing with us in the past,' one wrote. 'Brilliant for on-the-go snacks when out and about; also keeps them separate if you have fussy kids like mine,' another mom wrote. 'I also use them for myself, too.' 'This snack box has been a total game-changer for our family!' a final reviewer wrote. 'The six compartments are perfectly sized for portioning out a variety of snacks—fruits, crackers, cheese cubes, nuts, even small treats. I use it for my twins, and it helps keep their snacks organized and mess-free, especially on the go. Overall, I love how it simplifies snack prep and reduces waste from using multiple bags or containers. Great for both kids and adults.' Head to Target now to stock up on the snack boxes. But hurry! These sell out, so you have to be quick. Before you go, check out our slideshow below: More Top Deals from SheKnows Is Walmart+ Worth It? Giada De Laurentiis' Newest Cookbook Is Packed With Italian Super Food Recipes Stanley Tumblers Now Come With New Leakproof Lids & Customers Are Raving About Them Best of SheKnows These Podcasts for Parents of Teens Will Make You Feel Seen These Hot Famous Dads Are Making Fatherhood Look Finer Than Ever 36 Times Prince Louis Proved That the Third Child Is a Wild Card
CBC
20-05-2025
- General
- CBC
At what age should kids get their first phone?
What's a good age for kids or tweens to get their first cell phone? CBC Kids News talked to people at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ontario, to hear what they think and why.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
The 25 Best Gifts For 10-Year-Olds Celebrating Double Digits
Turning 10 is an exciting milestone for kids—and their parents. To celebrate their first double-digit birthday, it's OK if you want to go a little overboard—especially in recognition of how they've grown and are continuing to grow into big kids. The best gifts for 10-year-olds recognize their budding maturity, as well as new passions and skills. Celebrate your big kid's milestone birthday with one of these best gifts for 10-year-olds. After consulting child and teen play therapists, independent toy store retailers, and attending two toy industry trade shows this year, I also reviewed my own tweens' favorite items to compile this list of the best gifts for 10-year-olds in 2025. Just remember, these almost-teens still enjoy play—and the therapists I spoke with say games and toys are still good for their development—but they'll turn their noses up on anything deemed too young or uncool. 'Tweens are coming out of that baby stage, so toys for them might feel very babyish, [after] they've gone through that hormonal shift,' says Kerri Adams, a child and family therapist and cofounder of Love Play Grow in New Jersey. Because of this, parents may have to re-engage kids in play—opening up that card game or Lego set and diving in with them. Amazon Kick off their next decade with a delicious new book series that's all about fearlessly confronting American tween issues. Follow 10-year-old Mia as she navigates sticky social situations, as well as thorny societal challenges as the daughter of Chinese immigrants. My daughter flew through this series as this age. Author Kelly Yang has a great voice that delivers a compelling story that doesn't hit kids over the head with heavy messaging. Amazon Whether they're still into Legos, or just into speed and Formula 1, this sub-300 piece Ferrari is an ideal big-kid set. Casey Sartain, owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, says this recently launched Lego F1 Speed Champions series 'has already been selling great' with tween boys. 'Ferrari is the best selling of the bunch,' he says. 'Speed Champions has been one of the hottest parts of the Lego line for the last couple years…. and I imagine they'll just keep going since this year is F1 crazy.' They can display it out of reach of younger sibs once completed. Walmart If they're already staking out the makeup aisle, get them started with a foundational skincare routine. Bubble creates gentle, tween- and teen-appropriate skincare options in colorful packaging that appeals to younger beauty fans. Opt for one of Bubble's starter kits, so they can test out which products their skin responds best to. They're also perfectly giftable and a hot tween party set. Amazon I've seen this Gecko Run in action firsthand, and it's a clever spin on more old-fashioned marble runs. Its sticky adhesive pads allow kids to build vertically on smooth surfaces from glass to plastic to ceramic—and then reposition the whole thing and build again whenever they like. This deluxe set includes 90 pieces, so no need to purchase additional expansion packs. Amazon This game favors the players best able to crack up their teammates, making it ideal for the family clown. Each player gets 10 cards with pre-written answers that they'll submit anonymously in response to the prompt card. Pick the answer you think is most likely to elicit the most laughs. Just be warned that this kid version of the game includes plenty of fart and poop jokes—which always draw the biggest laughs among my kids. Adams points out that all that laughter is a good thing for the whole family: 'A lot of what brings families together is laughter. Laughter is a stress reliever and laughter is what creates bonds.' Amazon This best-selling Rick Riordan book series takes kids on an epic adventure through a fantasyland of Greek gods and their demigod offspring as good and evil forces battle monsters, magic and more with time hops from ancient times to modern day. My fourth grader flew through this series just after turning 10 and has gobbled up many more of Riordan's titles afterward. Amazon This adorable skincare duo from TonyMoly includes a strawberry-themed lip gloss and hand cream—and the winking Patty The Cow Squishmallow. It's the perfect pair for a tween starter set to keep in their backpack or belt bag. Amazon If you have the space to stow it and a safe place to drive it, I highly recommend Radio Flyer's Extreme Drift Go-Kart, the brand's new and award-winning electric go-kart for big kids. It offers three speeds (5, 8 and 11 mph), including one reserved for teens, so they'll get plenty of use out of it—and it absolutely blew my 10-year-old away as a splurge birthday gift. In fact, he was so happy with it, he didn't mind that I'd said no to a smartwatch. The seat is adjustable and the 36-volt battery recharges fairly quickly, so your thrill-seeker can get back to cranking out donuts. Amazon Press a button on this handheld device and watch the ZipString fly into loops and various shapes with a flick of their hand. Advanced flyers can create tricks and more elaborate displays with the string, and my 10-year-old has no problem swapping out the various strings for different effects. A tip from Sartain led me to this pick, which he says was 'a huge hit last year' and the new Luma glow-in-the-dark strings are now 'flying off the shelves.' Nike You can't go wrong with a fresh hoodie for this age group. Whether they've misplaced their current one or just want another colorway for their rotation, these Nike Big Kid Pullover Hoodies come in more than a dozen colors with a roomy front pouch to stash small things in. They're comfortable and long-lasting, but pay attention to the sizing: Nike can run smaller, and my 10-year-old is already wearing the XL kids size of this hoodie. Walmart The brand-new Gui Gui slime from Moose Toys is easily one of the hottest new toys for kids this season. It just became available at Walmart and is rolling out to additional retailers in August. It's also one of my 12-year-old daughter's favorite slimes she's ever sunk her hands into. She called it 'high-quality' and loved the scent and mix-ins. Gui Gui is available in four styles of slime: clear, butter, gloss and cloud and each one comes with various mix-ins including charms, so kids can 'style' their slime. They can store it in the included container when not in use. Flip 7 This fast-paced card game combines a bit of strategy—and a bunch of luck. Be the first to reach 200 points as cards are dealt around, but be wary of receiving doubles—otherwise, your turn is over and you lose all your points that round. It's been a family game night hit with my tweens and grown-ups alike. It's easy to grasp (even our 6-year-old has joined in) and moves quickly, so it's perfect for when you're short on time. Just be aware that this game keeps selling out at mass retailers and indie shops alike. Sartain says it's especially popular in the 9- to 12-year-old age range. 'We've been selling a lot more games to tweens and teens than ever before: Uno No Mercy, Catan, Flip 7 and Sushi Go,' he says. Target The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 makes snapping quick pics of family, friends and all their adventures a cinch for budding photographers and creative kids. It's a great first camera for tweens who don't have a smartphone yet. Pair it with a scrapbook so they have a place to stow all these fourth- and fifth-grade memories, or purchase it as part of a Fujifilm Instax bundle to get them started with everything they'll need including extra film and a carrying case. Fat Brain Toys This newcomer from Fat Brain Toys brings a popular adult game to kids in a more competitive tabletop form. Hook Rally requires two competitors to play at once, each vying to cast their ring onto the same hooks. The first player to capture three hooks wins. It's a simple game they can start playing straight out of the box. I love that it's a bit of a quieter game—at least compared to others my kids screech through—and requires pretty intense focus and hand-eye coordination. Amazon This is the perfect gift for the crafter—or the socializer—who loves to share their creations with friends. The portable STMT D.I.Y. Glitz Bead Case includes more than 600 pieces for them to assemble multiple friendship bracelets, including assorted alphabet beads, pearl beads, various charms, more than 500 round beads and five bundles of elastic cord and 10 bracelet threads. Amazon The magnetic Shashibo Shape Shifting Box from Fun In Motion opens up to reveal different patterns and colors as kids (and adults) manipulate the toy into different shapes. There isn't a puzzle to solve necessarily, the way there is with a Rubik's Cube—instead, it's more of a sophisticated fidget toy that reveals different designs and shapes as kids open up its sides and move it around in their hands. They can connect one Shape Shifting Box to another, too. It comes in kid-friendly designs like this silly Spongebob SquarePants theme and the new Hello Kitty box. Amazon A built-in timer ups the challenge on this viral solo puzzle game. Kids fight against the clock to position the Kanoodle pieces into the game board to solve up to 500 puzzles, including many new ones. Kanoodle games have an age rating starting at 7, and my 10-year-old easily bested the basic starter set, solving each puzzle one by one, so I know he'd appreciate this timed challenge. Amazon Cloud slides appeal to many ages for that pillow-like feel beneath your feet as you traipse around the house. But shark slides are having a bit of a moment with the tween and early teens. They're silly, comfy and fun—and my 10-year-old and his friends in the New York City suburbs can't seem to get enough of them. They come in a different colors and brands, so they can select the set that most appeals to them. Fresh off the new Minecraft movie, which has my whole family singing Jack Black's Steve's Lava Chicken, this 500-piece Lego set brings that cinema experience home. Rated for ages 10 and up, it's a petite set but comes with plenty of fun accessories and nods to both the movie and the game, including a fighting ring, a baby zombie and a chicken jockey. Amazon While the Nintendo Switch has long been popular with families of young children, the PlayStation 5 is the coveted console of big kids. And with the new Nintendo Switch 2 not yet available (release date is June 2025) and selling for nearly the same price ($450) as the PlayStation, I'd highly recommend the PS5 for these tween gamers who have likely moved well beyond Mario Kart and the petite controllers included with the Switch. Amazon If they've outgrown Play-Doh, but are still drawn to more artistic pursuits, this Pott'd pottery kit may be just right. My oldest daughter received this set last Christmas and has made several pretty pinch pots and small designs with it. It comes with a generous supply of air-dry clay, so there's no kiln or wheel needed. They'll sculpt their designs by hand, let them dry and then use the included paints to add any finishing touches. Amazon If you're in a pinch and the birthday party is happening tomorrow, gaming digital gift cards for in-game purchases have become the party gift du jour in my area. Find out their game or console of choice before selecting Roblox, V-Bucks (for Fortnite fans) or a generic Xbox or PlayStation gift card. Amazon The exceedingly soft and huggable Squishmallows remain the go-to plush friend for kids, tweens and teens. They come in a multitude of friendly characters and sizes and are beloved by all age groups. Younger kids may use them in their imaginary games while your 10-year-old might prefer this cheery Olma Strawberry Cat as a reading pillow or simply as chic room décor. Walmart At age 10, they might already be begging for an iPhone. Stave off that conversation with the big kid gift of an Apple Watch SE (the brand's most affordable model), so they can flex a bit of independence—and you can still track their whereabouts. It's my top pick for the best smartwatch for mature tweens and teens. You can lock it down to whatever your comfort level is, restricting sites, apps, contacts and usage hours. Get the cellular version for kids without a phone and use your iPhone to set up their new watch and manage it via your Apple family settings. Amazon If your 10-year-old is always dragging out the mixing bowl, you might treat them to a cooking or baking kit. This Baketivity cake pop set provides the instructions and a full suite of pre-measured dry ingredients and decorative toppings to make their own delicious treats—no cake pop pan necessary. They'll just need to scoop up a few fresh items and follow the recipe to create this sweet treat the whole family can enjoy. The kids and baby team at Forbes Vetted spends extensive time testing, researching, and yes, playing with toys and the best gifts for kids, tweens and teens. We care deeply about safety and pay close attention to recall notices.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
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.
