Part of Lilly Parker’s daily routine is spent pursuing the kind of “beautiful dewy skin” she sees online.
The Gold Coast teenager is among a growing number of young women who have high-end skincare products at the top of their Christmas wishlists.
Emerging from retailer Mecca Maxima, the 14-year-old can’t put her finger on what it is about the products sold inside that appeal to her.
“It just looks cool,” she says.
For her mother, Sarah, the answer is clear-cut — clever marketing through social media influencers.
“Lilly’s had an interest in ‘Drunk Elephant’, which we just went and had a look at,” Ms Parker says.
The popular skincare brand has products ranging in price from $25 for a single tube up to $738 for an entire rainbow of brightly coloured creams and cleansers.
“I’ve said to her: ‘You might be seeing it all over TikTok with girls your age who are wearing it, but it’s not appropriate for you and we’re not buying it,'” Ms Parker says.
Cleanse. Moisturise. Protect
Dermatologist Leona Yip says many of her patients and friends had sought her advice after feeling pressured into buying their children high-end skincare products promoted by so-called skinfluencers.
Dr Yip says tweens and teenagers consuming “skinfluencer” content need to be reminded social media stars make money through their posts.
“They’re not doing it because they know the science behind skincare or they know anything about skin health,” she says.
Dr Yip says some of the products promoted to teenagers can do more damage than good.
She says anti-ageing serums containing retinol and other harsh irritating ingredients are completely unsuitable for young skin.
“These ingredients can cause skin irritation, affect the skin barrier, and cause more problems with skin sensitivity and in some cases may even flare acne-prone skin,” she says.
“In that age group, there are three basic steps of skin care: cleansing, moisturising and sunscreen.”
For teenagers prone to acne breakouts or oily skin, Dr Yip says supermarket and pharmacy products are more cost-effective and more suitable.
“They work really well — be guided by the pharmacist, or your GP, or dermatologist who can point you in the right direction,” Dr Yip says.
“It does not need to be a $100 cream.”
Rewarding attractiveness
Nakita Evans, 15, admits she spends a lot of time watching Get Ready With Me (#GRWM) videos and beauty content created by influencers.
Her mother, Kasey, says it’s a costly fascination.
“She wants the latest stuff and the latest trends and it’s always expensive keeping up with everyone,” Ms Evans says.
