Skin Teens of Sephora
By: Julianna Ancmon
The “Teen Takeover ‘’ of Sephora is real. Teens are swarming our favorite makeup and beauty retailer. Teens all over the country are rushing to their nearest Sephora counters to buy some of the most outrageous skincare and beauty products. Whatever happened to starting out at age-appropriate stores like Clarie’s, Justice, and Icing, etc….? Play makeup is starting to seem outdated. Exploring makeup, skincare and beauty as a teen was once a fun and playful experience. Some of us learned our best beauty tips from watching our mothers get ready in front of the mirror. However, now we are seeing more of our youth exploring a jungle of skincare, makeup and beauty products that are suited for individuals with mature skin. Where do we draw the line for our youth when it comes to skincare, makeup, and beauty? More importantly, if Sephora retailers do not want to change their end, then we are responsible for educating our youth about age- appropriate products.
If you have ever spent time with a teen, then you know how much they love their phones and social media. Teens are being robbed of their childhood experiences by famous influencers on TikTok, Instagram and more. Our youth are getting their inspiration from women that are 10–20 years older. They are skipping over being a child and rushing into becoming fully mature women and yet at what cost? According to a Piper Sandler report, “Cosmetic spend remained above skincare as the highest priority of spending in the wallet for all female teens. Specifically, total cosmetics spending came in at $127 versus skincare at $122.” For a teen, that is a lot of money to pay for products that are not yet suited for their skin types.
Drunk Elephant is one of the most popular brands among Sephora Teens. Drunk Elephant products come in colorful bottles in all different shapes and sizes. So naturally, our youth are drawn more to their line due to advertisement tactics. Their website states, “When the #suspicious6 are entirely removed from one’s routine (we call that taking a #drunkbreak), skin can reset and return to a healthy, balanced state.” The 6 suspicious ingredients removed from Drunk Elephant products are essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Yes, that is great, however, Drunk Elephant’s philosophy to “reset” one’s skin is not applicable to teens. Most of them wake up with already perfectly flawless skin that many women pay big money to have.
Additionally, Drunk Elephants products are better suited for mature skincare needs that call for retinols, acids, and tightening products. Surprisingly, their brand is targeted towards attracting a younger clientele. They also market their products as “Smoothies” that direct users to mix all products together in one. Given these teens are typically younger (13–15) they are still physically developing and have baby-like skin. Thus, putting them at risk of causing damage to their natural skin barrier if they are buying the incorrect products. This type of damage could potentially lead to permanent scarring. According to TheGuardian.com, “Some skin will be sensitive, and some young people are even using retinol [a form of vitamin A added to skin treatments that has anti-ageing effects], which can be damaging for sensitive skin.” Teens do not always know the risks associated, that is why it’s important to speak with them about the dangers of strong skincare products.
At what age do we start talking to our teens about their relationship with beauty? According to Parent.com, “Teaching older kids and tweens how to care for their skin properly is important, but keeping their routine simple is key.” Responsibility lies in the hands of the teen’s parents. It is important to allow our youth to express themselves. If makeup and skincare products are what they want to explore, then so be it. However, parents need to start having discussions with their teens about product knowledge and safety. As a younger teen, all you need is a basic routine that consists of a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen protectant. From Parents.com, the most popular skincare products for teens are, “From classics like Aquaphor and CeraVe to select items from Drunk Elephant, Bubble, and Glow Recipe…” These are great products to start with as a teen. Between the ages of 13–15 it is appropriate to start practicing a healthy skill like self-care.
The traditional fun going experience of playing with age-appropriate makeup is fading out as our teens rush to beauty retailers like Sephora. With the continual rise and demand of influencers on social media, it is important that we continue to educate our teens about safe beauty decisions. For those with teens, WebMD’s Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, states, “…that at around age 10, it makes sense for your teen to start washing their face twice a day. ‘Plenty of kids don’t have any acne problems at that age, but getting in the habit early is smart.’” Therefore, it is crucial that parents sit down with their teens to discuss age-appropriate skincare and makeup options. Allow your teen to express their personal identity through skincare and makeup. Be the responsible adult in their world as they navigate the online world for inspiration and guidance.
Below is a curated list of Dermatologist approved skincare products for teens according to Parents.com. Surprisingly, a Drunk Elephant product appeared on the list!
- Drunk Elephant UmbraSheer Physical Daily Defense Protection Sunscreen $34; drunkelephant.com and ulta.com
- CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion $13; amazon.com
- Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer $15; amazon.com and ulta.com
- Aquaphor Lip Balm with Sunscreen $4 (was $5); amazon.com
- Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser $14; ulta.com
- Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleaner $10; sephora.com and glowrecipe.com
- Skin1004 Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum $17; amazon.com
- CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser $14 (was $18); amazon.com
Worked Cited:
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/teen-hygiene
https://www.parents.com/safe-skin-care-products-for-kids-tweens-8425849
https://www.drunkelephant.com/philosophy/
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/jan/11/uk-parents-urged-not-to-buy-children- anti-ageing-skin-products
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