Cosmeticorexia: Young Girls and Skincare
Tuesday, 2026/06/09159 words2 minutes1480 reads
A new trend is worrying health experts: young girls are becoming obsessed with skincare routines. Children as young as eight are using multiple beauty products daily, influenced by social media content.
Ellie-May, now 13, began posting skincare videos at age eight during lockdown. Her TikTok account has grown to over 330,000 followers, earning her family more than £50,000 annually. She demonstrates multi-step routines using toners, serums, and moisturizers.
Dermatologists have created a term for this phenomenon: "cosmeticorexia" - an unhealthy obsession with achieving flawless skin. Research shows that nearly half of children aged 9-12 use multiple skincare products weekly. The average cost of these routines featured in TikTok videos is £125.
Dr. Jean Ayer, a consultant dermatologist, warns that these products are designed for anti-aging and can damage young skin. She's seeing more children with skin reactions and conditions caused by unnecessary cosmetic use. "At best, they don't need these products. At worst, they contain harmful ingredients," she explains.
