Teens Obsessed with Anti-Aging: The Alarming Skincare Trend Sweeping Gen Z

According to a report published on November 13, 2025, the tween and teen skincare obsession has reached new heights, with concerning consequences beyond just superficiality. As teens put anti-aging potions on their Christmas lists and celebrities launch skincare lines for kids as young as 3, experts warn this trend could have serious health and mental health impacts.

The article highlights how the pressure to look perpetually youthful has intensified, with women of all ages feeling the need to erase any signs of aging. A survey found that one in four under-8s now use skincare products, and 10% of 8-year-olds use eye cream. Retailers are even selling toy spa sets for toddlers, further normalizing this obsession from an early age.

Dermatologists warn many of the products being marketed to children contain potentially irritating ingredients that could damage their still-developing skin. One study found an average of 11 such ingredients in TikTok skincare routines aimed at tweens and teens. The mental toll of constant messaging that equates beauty with flawless, filtered skin is also deeply concerning.

The article's author, a mother of four daughters, struggles with her own insecurities about aging while trying to instill body positivity in her children. She fears the pressure they face is even more extreme than the "heroin chic" ideals of her own youth, with the anti-aging industry now seeping into every aspect of their lives.