My horror at the TikTok trend filling tween Christmas stockings this year

Of all the defining moments in a relationship, this was a particularly unexpected one. “She’s obsessed with skincare,” my friend added, “They all are.” Spoiler alert: I did not buy the ten year old retinol eye cream. “As the owner of a natural beauty brand I’m fascinated by how many well educated adult women have no idea what’s in any of their skincare products, so how can we expect their 13 year old daughters to?” says NEOM Wellbeing’s founder Nicola Elliott. “We blindly trust that brands stocked by big shops are safe and good, and that’s not always the case, especially as everyone’s skin is different and reacts differently.” Aspirational beauty store Sephora launching in the UK back in March 2023 appears to have been another important milestone in this worrying craze – finally brands like celebrity favourite Drunk Elephant, that tweens had only seen on social media, were now readily available to them. I think TikTok pushed it over the edge, but that feels like it’s been in the last two years or so.” Dermatologist Dr Brooke Jeffy, who specialises in tween skincare, made an online video stating in no uncertain terms that, “Drunk Elephant products may be fine for adult skin but for kiddos, it is definitely not!” She went on to explain that, “Tween skin deserves gentle care, not a pricey, extensive skincare routine… harsh chemicals aren’t meant for those in-between years.” But is anyone listening to these warnings?