Young girls are becoming obsessed with skincare and makeup – why is this happening?
Social media, marketing and social norms around appearance are fuelling an unhealthy fixation on skincare and makeup among young girls, which can have consequences for both their skin and self-worth.
An unhealthy fixation on skincare and makeup among young girls is becoming increasingly common, driven by social media, marketing, and societal norms regarding appearance. This phenomenon, known as cosmeticorexia, can have detrimental effects on both the girls' skin and self-esteem. One example is a seven-year-old girl who showed her mother how to apply her mother's skincare and makeup products.
Dr. Lynn Chiam, a dermatologist, explained that cosmeticorexia is an obsession with achieving flawless skin, which can lead to excessive and inappropriate use of cosmetics by young children. This behavior is evident in stores like Sephora, where girls aged seven to 14 spend time browsing and purchasing skincare and makeup. Some girls have even mastered advanced skincare and cosmetic procedures, using products like retinoids, exfoliating acids, and Botox, despite their young age.
Dr. Chiam noted that some girls become distressed if they miss a step in their multi-step skincare routine and spend considerable amounts of money on new products to address perceived flaws, sometimes sacrificing basic necessities. Associate Professor Mark Koh, head of dermatology at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, stated that social media aggressively targets girls with complex anti-aging products, including retinoids and exfoliating acids, which are typically formulated for adult skin.
These ingredients can damage a child's skin barrier, causing rashes, allergic reactions, and chemical irritation. Lim Shoon Yin, executive director of AWARE, pointed out that cosmeticorexia raises concerns about how the next generation will relate to their bodies when young people's insecurities become a market to be exploited. Clinical psychologist Dr. Annabelle Chow observed an increase in pre-teen and teenage patients expressing a stronger interest in skincare and makeup, driven by the timeless need to fit in and look good.
She emphasized that children, whose brains are still developing, may lack the capacity to make sensible decisions and are more impulsive and eager to follow and impress their friends.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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