There are a lot of questions about what age is appropriate to start a skincare routine and facials, as well as what age to start using anti-aging skincare.
As a mom of almost ten-year-old twin tween girls, I am very much aware of this generation’s new-found love (and trend) of skincare. My girls constantly ask for skincare, film their skincare routines, and have spa-themed sleepovers with their friends. I also hear from other moms of girls their age that their daughters too are little skincare enthusiasts.
A common topic of conversation that tends to come up is, what type of skincare our tweens should be using, if at all.
Typically, around 9-12, kids start asking for skincare. I know there can be mixed opinions on this, and it is certainly your decision about what is best for your child, but a simple, gentle, 3-4-step skincare routine for this age group can be beneficial.
However, I would caution against products that are not considered “clean beauty”, especially for kids. Clean beauty is a term used to describe products that are free from harsh and harmful ingredients.
Certain YouTube influencers use specific skincare brands that have become popular with tweens and my kids are no exception; they want what is popular in their age group. However, I am not always a huge fan of the ingredient list. A lot of these products include fragrance and less natural extracts. It is definitely an uphill battle trying to convince your kids that these products are not the best.
The path I have chosen is applying the 90/10 rule, as I do with nutrition- 90% of the time, you eat healthily, and 10%, you eat whatever you want. So, I allow them to join in with the trends and use these products on occasion, but the majority of their daily skincare routine consists of gentle, clean, Glo Skin Beauty products.
What not to use
Some ingredients we steer clear of (as we are a clean skincare spa) are:
PARABENS
TALC
ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCE
IRRITATING SULFATES
PHTHALATES
HARSH COLORANTS
POLYETHYLENE BEADS
MINERAL OIL
In addition to choosing clean beauty skincare products, I’d also recommend staying away from AHAs and BHAs at this age. They are active ingredients that are great for older age groups but they are more aggressive and too harsh for children's skin, and simply not needed at this age.
Common BHA’s and AHA’s
BHAs
Salicylic acid
AHAs
Glycolic acid
Mandelic acid
Tartaric acid:
Lactic acid
Citric acid
Malic acid
What to use
Children’s skin is exposed to dirt, debris, and pollution throughout the day, and sometimes a full face of makeup for events like Halloween and dance competitions. Instead of using a harsh body wash or soap on facial skin, a gentle cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and SPF can be a good way to keep their skin healthy, clean, and hydrated without irritation (while letting them have a little fun with the trend and develop good self-care habits in the process).
Basic Skincare Routine for Tweens
Gentle Cream Cleanser: This gentle cream cleanser thoroughly removes makeup, excess oil, and debris while respecting the skin's natural moisture balance.
Phyto-Calm Flower Mist: Calm and quench, while boosting moisture levels and toning skin with this nourishing flower-infused mist, powered by skin-soothing rose water and chamomile.
Phyto-Calm Aloe Hydrator: Infused with nourishing botanical extracts, Phyto-Calm Aloe Hydrator settles and soothes skin with its cooling, calming formulation.
Oil-Free SPF 40: Delivering mineral broad-spectrum protection from the sun's damaging UVA and UVB rays, pollution, oxidative stress, and dehydration.
Facials
Your child might also start asking to have their first facial when they become tweens. The 30 or 60-minute Citron Signature Facial is a great basic facial that can be customized to suit their gentle, sensitive skincare needs.
This can be a fun, relaxing experience for a mom-and-daughter spa day, a birthday spa event with a small group of friends, or a calming individual service. The frequency that you choose can be based on your personal preference. Facials at this age are more like icing on the cake to already great skin but can be done up to once per month if preferred.
If you would like a personalized skincare plan for your tween, you can fill out a virtual consultation form or reserve a facial appointment for a thorough consultation and skin analysis with one of our licensed estheticians.
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