'Dear Santa, I'd like a retinol for Christmas': How parents can navigate the child skincare boom

What should parents do when children ask for luxury skincare under the tree? Kate Demolder asks the experts 

As teens and tweens navigate the world of skincare through the lens of social media, they are being told that 10-step skincare routines are non-negotiable and harsh actives are needed to ensure fitting in.

If you were a teenager in the ‘90s or aughts, the likelihood is that your beauty routine might have consisted of a tea tree oil-scented spot treatment, a thick, claggy balm to moisturise, and toothpaste if all else failed.

Fast forward to today, and it’s an entirely different story. As teens and tweens navigate the world of skincare through the lens of social media, they are being told that 10-step skincare routines are non-negotiable and harsh actives are needed to ensure fitting in.