In recent months, “tween skincare” has exploded across social media. Children as young as 8 are watching product hauls and morning routines that feature powerful anti-ageing actives like retinol, glycolic acid, and vitamin C. While these ingredients have their place in adult routines, they were never intended for young, developing skin.
As both a mum of two and a skin specialist with over a decade of experience, I want to offer parents a gentle reminder: young skin doesn’t need correcting — it needs protecting.
Why tween skincare is trending (and why it’s concerning)
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are driving curiosity in skincare at a much younger age. While self-care is something we’d all love to encourage in our kids, the concern lies in the types of products being promoted.
Actives like retinol, glycolic acid, and concentrated vitamin C are designed for mature skin that is experiencing signs of ageing or long-term damage. On a child or teen, these products can:
- Strip the skin barrier
- Increase sensitivity and irritation
- Cause redness, dryness, and even long-term barrier damage
And it’s not just tweens. Many baby and toddler products on shelves are cleverly marketed but contain little of real benefit — and sometimes include unnecessary irritants.
A quick look at young skin
Children’s skin is naturally thinner, more delicate, and more reactive than adult skin. It has a higher water content and lower sebum production, which makes it prone to dryness and irritation. The skin barrier, the protective layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out, is still developing well into the teen years.
This means young skin is less resilient and more easily disrupted by harsh or active ingredients.
Ingredients safe for kids and tweens
If you’d like to support your child’s skin, the safest approach is to keep it simple. Look for products that hydrate, calm, and protect.
🌿 Soothing and supportive ingredients include:
- Aloe vera
- Chamomile
- Calendula
- Oat extract
- Jojoba oil
- Ceramides
- Plant-based fatty acids
These ingredients nourish and protect the skin barrier without overwhelming delicate skin.
Ingredients to avoid on young skin
To protect your child’s barrier, skip the actives and common irritants often marketed to tweens:
❌ Retinol or retinal
❌ High-strength vitamin C serums
❌ AHAs and BHAs (glycolic acid, salicylic acid)
❌ Benzoyl peroxide
❌ Synthetic fragrance and high concentrations of essential oils
❌ Harsh preservatives, alcohols, and sulfates
These ingredients are unnecessary for young skin and often lead to irritation or long-term sensitivity.
A gentle philosophy for parents
Young skin doesn’t need a 10-step skincare routine. It doesn’t need “anti-ageing” treatments. What it needs is protection, hydration, and simplicity. The rest can wait until the skin has matured and genuinely requires corrective support.
If you’re ever unsure, start with education. Learn about the skin barrier, understand the role of key ingredients, and don’t be afraid to ask questions before buying into the latest trend.
The Bare Roots approach
At Bare Roots, we’re often asked whether our products are safe for children. The answer is yes - many of our formulations are built around barrier repair, hydration, and soothing botanicals, making them suitable for young, sensitive skin.
Our focus has always been on functional, junk free skincare that supports skin health at every age. For children and tweens, that means gentle protection, not unnecessary actives.
Let’s remind our kids that healthy skin isn’t about trends - it’s about care, protection and patience.
— Suzanne, Founder of Bare Roots
Cosmetic Chemist & Dermal Therapist
