California Bill Would Keep Children From Buying Adult Skin-Care Products

Young people with their phones in New York City on June 10, 2024. A California bill would prohibit minors from buying adult skin-care products. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

A California lawmaker filed a bill Feb. 18 aimed at protecting children from cosmetics that can damage their skin.

Assembly Bill 728 would make it illegal to sell anti-aging, wrinkle-reducing, and brightening products to buyers under 18. Assemblyman Alex Lee (D-Milpitas), who introduced the measure, said the products are designed for adults and contain potent and harsh ingredients.

“Kids don’t need anti-aging products,” Lee said in a statement. “The beauty industry knows that, and some companies have acknowledged the issue. But their statements—absent real and meaningful action—are performative and fall short of responsible behavior.

“It’s time we take action, and my bill is a common-sense measure to protect kids,” he said.

Dermatologists have started speaking up about the skyrocketing use of anti-aging products by children, mostly young girls, according to Lee, adding that their interest is driven by beauty influencers on social media.

Market research companies expect the teen and tween skin-care market to reach $200 billion by 2030, while children born between 2010 and 2024 were expected to total 2.2 billion consumers worldwide by the end of 2024, according to Schieber Research, a market trends research organization.

According to research company NielsenIQ, U.S. households with teens and tweens are outspending the average consumer when it comes to skin care products, including treatment, toner, moisturizers, and cleansers.

The top beauty brands purchased by parents were e.l.f., Sol de Janeiro, Rare Beauty, Drunk Elephant, Bubble, Tarte, Milk Makeup, Glow Recipe, and Summer Fridays, Schieber Research reported.

Lee’s ban would cover products that contain vitamin A and retinoids, including retinol. It would also cover products that contain an alpha hydroxy acid, including glycolic acid, ascorbic acid—or vitamin C—or citric acid.

A man holds a phone displaying the TikTok app. The number of young consumers interested in skin-care products has soared mostly because of social media influencers, according to the latest research. Oleksii Pydsosonnii/The Epoch Times

A report published by the University of California–Los Angeles in January 2024 indicated many products with active ingredients—such as salicylic acid, retinol, and peptides—are meant for older skin.

“They are more suitable for mature skin to target wrinkles or skin with specific concerns like acne,” UCLA Health dermatologist Dr. Carol Cheng said in the report. “These ingredients can do damage, irritate the skin, and cause the reverse effects they are hoping to achieve.”

Cheng suggests parents ask their children what they’re looking to achieve. Products promoted on social media may not be necessary, she said.

Retinols can cause retinoid dermatitis, a type of scaly rash, pediatric dermatologist Dr. Jayden Galamgam said in the report. They can also make people more susceptible to sunburn and sun damage.

According to Lee, children have more sensitive skin than adults, with a thinner epidermis, weaker skin barrier, weaker immune system, higher pH level, and faster skin-cell turnover. This makes their skin more vulnerable to irritants, environmental factors, and allergens, he said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency do not require testing of cosmetic products, such as anti-aging creams, on children. Only products specifically sold for use by children, such as baby lotions, sunscreens, and medications, undergo age-appropriate testing, according to Lee’s office.