Cosmeticorexia: How girls are falling down a skincare rabbit hole
Fuelled by social media, the market for children's skincare is booming. Experts fear for the long-term impact on girls
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"Being content creators has transformed our lives."
— Sophie , Other
"Women in their 30s and 40s have long been targeted by skincare companies, telling us that ageing is a problem and selling us a solution."
— Brooke Erin Duffy , Academic
"But this is a marked shift. Now young girls are being put under that same pressure."
— Brooke Erin Duffy , Academic
"Monitor the ingredients of the products and avoid exposures to harmful items."
— Sophie , Other
"Ser criadores de conteúdo transformou nossas vidas."
— Sophie , Other
"Las mujeres de entre 30 y 40 años han sido durante mucho tiempo el objetivo de las empresas de cuidado de la piel, que nos dicen que el envejecimiento es un problema y nos venden una solución."
— Brooke Erin Duffy , Academic
"Ετοιμαστείτε μαζί μου για να πάω στο σπίτι της κολλητής μου, λέει η Έλι-Μέι γεμάτη ενθουσιασμό στην κάμερα."
— Έλι-Μέι , Influencer
"we do not market to this audience"
— Artemis Patrick , Executive
Key People
Artemis Patrick is the chief executive of Sephora North America.
An associate professor and social media researcher at Cornell University.
A young social media influencer who shares her skincare routine.
Giovanni Damiani is an Italian dermatologist at the University of Milan.
Ellie-May's mother who manages their family's social media content.
Έλι-Μέι είναι μια 13χρονη influencer που ξεκίνησε να διαφημίζει προϊόντα skincare από την ηλικία των 8.
Tags
All Coverage
Fuelled by social media, the market for children's skincare is booming. Experts fear for the long-term impact on girls
Experts warn that many skincare products marketed to youth contain irritating ingredients that can harm sensitive skin.
Observers warn that a booming multi-billion-pound beauty industry may be shaping children’s perceptions of appearance and fuelling an early obsession with 'perfect' skin.
An article discussing the rise of 'cosmeticorexia,' a trend where young girls, influenced by social media, adopt extensive skincare routines, leading to concerns about potential long-term impacts on their health and well-being.
An article highlighting the phenomenon of 'cosmeticorexia,' where young girls, some as young as 9 or 10, engage in complex skincare routines influenced by social media, raising concerns among experts about potential skin damage and mental health issues.
An article discussing the trend of 'cosmeticorexia,' where young girls, influenced by social media, adopt adult-like skincare routines, leading to concerns about potential skin damage and mental health issues.
An article discussing the phenomenon of 'cosmeticorexia,' where young girls, influenced by social media, engage in extensive skincare routines, raising concerns about potential long-term impacts on their health and well-being.
A study highlighting the phenomenon of 'Cosmeticorexia,' where young girls become obsessed with skincare routines, leading to potential health risks and self-esteem issues.
An investigation into Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics over claims their marketing strategies may be promoting 'cosmeticorexia' among young girls.
An article discussing the trend of 'cosmeticorexia,' where young girls, influenced by social media, adopt complex skincare routines, leading to concerns about potential skin damage and mental health issues.
Dermatologistas alertam para o fenômeno 'cosmeticorexia', onde meninas buscam obsessivamente uma pele 'perfeita' desde cedo, impulsionadas pelas redes sociais.
El término 'cosmeticorexia' describe la obsesión poco saludable de los adolescentes por lograr una piel perfecta mediante rutinas complejas de cuidado de la piel.
Dermatologists and academics are raising alarm over 'cosmeticorexia', an unhealthy obsession with achieving 'flawless' skin through excessive use of cosmetic products by children as young as primary school age.
Health specialists express concern over the rise of 'cosmeticorexia' on social media, where girls adopt complex beauty routines designed for adults, leading to potential skin damage and psychological issues.
An article discussing the rise of 'Cosmeticorexia,' a trend where young girls engage in extensive skincare routines influenced by social media, raising concerns about potential long-term impacts on their well-being.
Italian regulators are investigating Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics over the apparent use of 'covert marketing strategies' to sell beauty products to young girls that might be fuelling an unhealthy skincare obsession known as 'cosmeticorexia'.
An exploration of how social media influences young girls to adopt complex skincare routines, leading to concerns about the long-term impact on their health and self-image.
Fuelled by social media, the market for children's skincare is booming. Experts fear for the long-term impact on girls.
An examination of how young girls are increasingly adopting complex skincare routines influenced by social media, raising concerns among experts about potential physical and psychological risks.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Beauty Pie LED mask ad banned over misleading anti-wrinkle claim
The mask is not "clinically proven to reduce wrinkles in four weeks", the advertising watchdog finds.
June 9, 2026 at 11:03 PMFrom Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children's social media access - Reuters
From Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children's social media access Reuters
June 8, 2026 at 04:11 PMSocial media on trial: Four important cases to watch
Social media firms face thousands of lawsuits, the BBC looks at four which could be significant.
June 11, 2026 at 05:02 AM'A little goes a long way': New York's candy stores sweeten economic gloom
While US consumer confidence is at an historic low the Big Apple's sweet shops are expanding.
June 10, 2026 at 11:01 PMParents find lifeline in 50p kids' clothes shop
A second-hand shop selling cheap baby clothes sees rising demand as families cut costs.
June 11, 2026 at 05:07 AMChina cracks down on soft porn, violence and materialism in viral micro dramas
Micro dramas have surged in popularity, but drawn criticism for often sensationalist content.
June 5, 2026 at 05:16 AM