The latest research from Northwestern Medicine has shed light on the potential dangers of teen skin-care routines shared on social media platforms like TikTok. The study focused on girls aged 7 to 18 who are using an average of six different products on their faces, with some using more than a dozen products. These products, marketed heavily to younger consumers, were found to carry a high risk of skin irritation and allergies.
Published in the journal Pediatrics, the study revealed that each teen’s daily skin-care regimen costs an average of $168, with some costing over $500. Shockingly, only 26% of daytime regimens included sunscreen, a crucial product for skin protection. The top-viewed videos contained an average of 11 potentially irritating active ingredients, putting content creators at risk of developing skin irritation, sun sensitivity, and allergic contact dermatitis.
Dr. Molly Hales, the corresponding author of the study, highlighted the risks associated with using multiple active ingredients simultaneously and unknowingly applying the same active ingredient across multiple products. One video in the study featured a content creator applying 10 products in just six minutes, experiencing discomfort, burning, and visible skin reactions.
The study also pointed out the racial language used in some videos, emphasizing lighter and brighter skin tones. Dr. Tara Lagu, the senior author, noted associations between skin-care regimens and consumerism, ultimately offering little to no benefit for the targeted pediatric populations.
Hales expressed concerns about setting unrealistic standards for young girls and promoting unhealthy ideals of beauty and thinness. The study authors warned of the dangers beyond skin damage and the potential long-term effects on children and adolescents.
To gather data, researchers created a new TikTok account reporting themselves as 13 years old, viewing 100 unique videos to analyze demographics, products used, costs, and ingredients. The study identified ingredients with a high risk of inducing allergic contact dermatitis, emphasizing the need for caution when following online skin-care routines.
In conclusion, the study raises important questions about the impact of social media on teen skin-care practices and highlights the need for more research and education on safe and effective skin-care habits. Parents and pediatricians are encouraged to be vigilant about the content children consume online and to promote healthy attitudes towards skincare.
