Lately, I’ve been receiving a lot of messages from mothers who are unable to buy a normal cream or toner for their young children. This is not surprising, because when you turn the bottle around, you might be shocked by the number of ingredients listed. Many products contain ingredients that are suitable only for mature, adult skin.
In addition, it’s easy to get lost in the myriad of products promising to deliver radiant, youthful skin. However, not all skincare ingredients are universally beneficial. As the skincare industry expands, there’s an increasing trend of "adult ingredients" being marketed in products aimed at younger audiences. While these ingredients are often powerful and effective for mature skin, they can pose risks for younger skin, leading to potential irritation or long-term damage, such as hormonal disruption, impaired natural skin function, and premature aging.
This video has thousands of views, where a little girl—I'd say around 8-10 years old—shows her so-called "skincare routine." It's absolutely ridiculous that a child is using more than one product that is not suitable for young skin! A lot of people are going crazy about CeraVe, and I don’t understand why. This particular product contains ingredients for mature skin that are not suitable for kids and young people!
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into some of these ingredients and explore why they might not be the best fit for younger skin. By understanding how these ingredients interact with the skin, you can make more informed decisions about your skincare routine.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Niacinamide is a popular ingredient in many adult skincare formulations because it helps to improve the skin's barrier function, reduce inflammation, and target issues like fine lines, pigmentation, and uneven texture. It works wonders for aging skin or skin that’s been compromised by sun exposure or environmental damage. But does it work as well for younger skin?
While niacinamide is generally considered safe for most skin types, including sensitive and young skin, overuse or misuse in excess can lead to potential side effects, especially for those with already balanced or less acne-prone skin. In high concentrations (above 5%), niacinamide can cause irritation, redness, or dryness, particularly if applied on healthy, non-damaged skin. Younger skin, especially if it's in the early stages of its natural oil production, may not need such intense hydration regulation, and the ingredient could even lead to clogged pores or a compromised barrier.
Risks for Youthful Skin:
Can irritate or dry out already balanced skin
Potential for pore clogging if used incorrectly
May interfere with the skin’s natural oil production balance
Examples of companies that produce so-called "youth products," but contain niacinamide, which is not suitable for youthful skin:
Ceramides
Ceramides are fatty acids naturally present in the skin, playing a key role in maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. In mature skin, ceramide-based skincare products can be beneficial because they help restore the moisture balance that often diminishes with age. But are they necessary for younger skin?
While ceramides are certainly important for skin health, younger skin typically produces adequate amounts of ceramides on its own. This means that introducing ceramide-based products too early could lead to over-moisturizing, resulting in clogged pores, breakouts, or an imbalance in the skin’s natural oil production. Additionally, ceramides help rebuild the skin’s barrier when it’s been compromised, but youthful skin doesn’t often suffer from the same external damage or loss of barrier function as more mature skin does.
Risks for Youthful Skin:
Potential for clogged pores and acne breakouts
May cause an imbalance in the skin's natural oil and moisture production
Unnecessary hydration that could lead to skin overload
As you can see, big companies are already putting these ingredients into baby products, which is not acceptable at all!
Retinoids (Retinol, Tretinoin, Retinaldehyde)
Retinoids are renowned for their anti-aging properties, stimulating collagen production and speeding up cell turnover. They are one of the most effective ingredients for mature skin, helping to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. However, retinoids are not generally recommended for younger, healthy skin, unless prescribed by a dermatologist for specific concerns such as acne.
While retinoids can be a game-changer for skin regeneration, they can also cause significant irritation, redness, and dryness when used improperly. For those with no active concerns like acne or premature aging, using retinoids at a young age could irritate the skin's natural renewal cycle and lead to dryness, flaking, or even thinning of the skin if overused.
Risks for Youthful Skin:
Excessive dryness, peeling, or irritation
Potential for skin thinning if overused at a young age
Can disrupt the skin’s natural healing and regeneration process
Peptides
Peptides are chains of amino acids that help build proteins like collagen and elastin, making them crucial in products targeted for aging skin. They support the skin's structure, helping to reduce fine lines and improve elasticity. However, for younger skin, peptides may be an unnecessary addition.
Since youthful skin has higher levels of collagen production and elasticity, adding peptides to the skincare routine can overload the skin’s natural processes. While peptides are unlikely to cause significant harm, their effectiveness may not be as noticeable for younger individuals who haven’t yet started to experience the typical signs of aging like sagging or fine lines.
Risks for Youthful Skin:
Potential for overloading the skin's natural regenerative processes
Unnecessary, especially for those with firm and resilient skin
May cause minor irritation or congestion in certain formulations
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) & Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)
While exfoliation is important for both mature and youthful skin, younger skin often doesn’t need the strong exfoliating action of AHAs or BHAs that are typically found in products targeting aging concerns. AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid, and BHAs like salicylic acid, can strip away dead skin cells to reveal fresher skin underneath. While this can be beneficial for dull, aging skin, excessive exfoliation can disrupt the balance of younger skin, leading to over-sensitization or increased vulnerability to environmental stressors like UV damage.
For younger individuals, a gentler approach to exfoliation (such as enzyme-based exfoliants or light scrubs) is often more suitable.
Risks for Youthful Skin:
Over-exfoliation can cause irritation, redness, or sensitivity
Can strip the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness or imbalance
May increase vulnerability to sun damage if not used with proper SPF
Very often, young people try to solve their acne problems with the help of acids. However, acne is a complex issue, and you need to look at the bigger picture—factors like nutrition, sleep, stress, and hormonal balance—before resorting to harsh products just to remove the acne.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most beloved skincare ingredients across all age groups. It’s often lauded for its ability to hydrate the skin by attracting moisture and helping to retain it. For mature skin, hyaluronic acid is especially beneficial because it helps replenish moisture levels that tend to decline with age, promoting plumpness and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines. But when it comes to younger skin, the situation is a bit more nuanced.
While hyaluronic acid is a relatively gentle ingredient, it’s not always necessary for younger skin, and in some cases, it can lead to over-hydration or even cause issues if used incorrectly. Here's why:
Why Hyaluronic Acid Might Not Be Ideal for Younger Skin
Already Adequate Moisture: Younger skin, especially in those under 25, generally produces a sufficient amount of natural moisture and doesn’t have the same dehydration concerns as aging skin. This means that adding a hyaluronic acid product could actually overwhelm the skin, leading to a greasy feeling or an imbalance in the natural oil production.
Potential for Clogged Pores: In some formulations, hyaluronic acid is combined with other ingredients that may clog pores, particularly in thicker, more emollient creams. For individuals with acne-prone or oily skin, this could contribute to breakouts or congestion.
Over-hydration and Sensitivity: Since hyaluronic acid draws water from its environment, it can sometimes lead to a paradoxical effect of pulling moisture out of the deeper layers of the skin if not used with adequate hydration (like a moisturizer on top). This may leave the skin feeling drier or more sensitive over time, particularly if it is already well-moisturized and doesn’t need such potent hydration.
Risks for Youthful Skin:
Can potentially overwhelm the skin with too much moisture
May lead to clogged pores or breakouts, particularly in combination with heavier formulations
Overuse without proper moisturization may lead to dehydration or sensitivity
Conclusion
In summary, while ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, and DL-panthenol offer significant benefits for more mature skin, they are not always necessary for younger skin. When overused or misused, they can lead to imbalance, irritation, or even long-term skin concerns like clogged pores, breakouts, or dehydration. Young skin typically requires simpler, gentler formulations that support its natural function without overwhelming it.
Also, remember that there are ZERO STUDIES showing that the use of these ingredients from a young age is absolutely safe, and, most importantly, it provides some incredible benefits. Just because you don't know something, it doesn't mean it's safe!
What can be suitable for young skin at my shop?
We’ve got you covered with several fantastic options, including our Healing Salve, perfect for soothing skin inflammation, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Each of these products contains only the essential ingredients, carefully chosen for their effectiveness. They work in harmony to deliver maximum results—because every ingredient serves a purpose.
Whether you’re looking to calm irritated skin or keep it deeply nourished, our products are designed to give you exactly what you need with minimal fuss. Experience the power of simplicity today!
Discover Our Handmade Bar Soaps!
Unlike traditional shower gels that can leave your skin feeling dry, our bar soaps are made with 100% natural oils and butters to nourish and hydrate your skin with every use. These rich, moisturizing ingredients ensure your skin stays soft and smooth, without the harsh drying effects of many commercial products.
What's even better? All of our soaps are safe and suitable for kids and youth! That means you can feel confident using them for the whole family. But that’s not all! We also offer exclusive, handcrafted soap bars that are specially designed for those looking for something extra—whether it's soothing scents, added skin benefits, or unique textures, we have something special just for you:
Our all-natural lip balm is crafted with a perfect blend of nourishing oils, rich butters, pure beeswax, and soothing essential oils. This powerhouse combination provides long-lasting hydration, keeping your lips soft and smooth no matter the season.
Don't think lip balm is just for winter—our formula is designed to protect and moisturize
year-round, from the summer sun to the winter chill. Whether you’re facing dry, cracked lips or simply want to keep them feeling great, our lip balm is your go-to solution.
Looking for a shampoo that’s tough on dirt but gentle on young hair and scalp? Our solid shampoo bars are the perfect solution! Designed with kids and youth in mind, they cleanse thoroughly without disrupting the delicate balance of the scalp’s microbiome.
We’ve carefully crafted our bars using gentle cleansing ingredients, rich butters, natural herbs, and soothing essential oils. This combination ensures your child's hair is left clean, nourished, and healthy, with no harsh chemicals or irritation.
Give your little one the best start for their hair care routine—natural, effective, and safe for all ages!
Check out our gentle cleansers, available in two forms: powder and foam. The foam cleanser is a top seller among youth because it is very gentle and suitable for all skin types. The powder cleanser is perfect if you need a gentle scrub.
Keep your skin fresh, clear, and calm with our Youth Glow Toner—formulated with only the essentials! Lavender hydrosol balances and soothes, aloe vera hydrates and nourishes, while chamomile extract calms and refreshes your skin. No fluff, just pure, effective ingredients for a healthy, glowing complexion.
Very informative. Wish I could travel back in time and tell my younger self to make better skincare choices
Wow, I never thought about that. I was very surprised about CeraVe—such sad news.