Navigating TikTok skincare trends

De-influencing and guiding your teen

Quick summary

1️⃣ TikTok skincare trends are everywhere, but some products – like retinols – aren’t right for teen skin

2️⃣ Convincing teens of this fact isn't easy, so it may help to talk to your teen about why certain products may not be suitable and help them find better alternatives

3️⃣ Support their interest in skincare by guiding them toward expert advice and safe, effective routines that actually work for their skin

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With the rise of TikTok, skincare trends have become increasingly popular among teens. 

While this growing interest in self-care can be positive, it also presents challenges for parents where some of these products are extremely expensive at best or genuinely damaging to teen skin at worst. 

This guide will help you navigate TikTok skincare trends, understand the potential impact on your teen, and it'll offer strategies for how best to say “no” to requests for the wrong products.

Understanding the growing interest in skincare among teens

Teens today are more interested in skincare than ever, often influenced by TikTok trends and the aspirational faces perpetuating them. For a broader perspective on social media trends affecting teens, check out this guide to 7 TikTok trends parents should know about.

While this can be exciting for teens, it can also lead to the use of products like retinols and anti-aging skincare, which generally are not suitable for their young skin. To learn more about the potential risks of using retinol at a young age, this guide explains whether retinol is safe for teens.

Here are some key points to consider:

• Increased awareness: teens are becoming more aware of skincare ingredients and routines because they have such easy access to a wealth of information on the internet
• Peer influence: TikTok influencers can significantly impact teens' skincare choices and there's been a boom in influencer marketing in more recent years
• Potential risks: some products, like retinols, can be too harsh for young skin

Helping your teen be “de-influenced”

It's important to guide your teen in making informed skincare choices without feeling like you're dictating their decisions.

Here are some strategies to help de-influence your teen from unsuitable skincare trends:

• Open communication: talk to your teen about why certain products may not be suitable for their skin
• Education: educate them about skincare basics and the potential risks of using advanced products too early – for medically-verified skincare advice, check out this guide to building the best teen skincare routine.
• Expert advice: encourage them to seek advice from reliable sources, such as pharmacists – who can recommend suitable products – or in the case of more serious skincare problems, their GP. Our medical team at luna can provide valuable advice too – you can gift them luna premium, which gives them unlimited access to dermatologist-backed skincare content and they can ask any question they like to our team to help steer them in the right direction

If you’re concerned that social media trends are impacting your teen’s confidence, learn how to spot signs of low self-esteem in your teen.

Navigating the pressure and potential guilt trip

Saying no to your teen’s request for certain skincare products can be challenging, especially when they feel pressured by peers or social media

Here are some ideas to manage this situation:

Empathise with their wish to follow trends

Some conversation starters for this are…

• "I know you’re really into skincare right now, and it’s great that you want to take care of your skin. Can you tell me what you like about these products?"
• "I understand that seeing your friends or influencers using certain products might make you feel like you need them too."

Set boundaries by explaining the risks

Some conversation starters for this are…

• "I’ve read that some of these products can be a bit strong for your skin. Let’s talk about why I’m cautious about them."
• "I want to make sure you’re using things that are safe and effective for your skin. Some ingredients in those products might not be suitable for you just yet."

Help them find better alternatives

Some conversation starters for this are…

• "How about we look into some skincare products that are specifically designed for teens? There are some great options that are gentle and effective."
• "There are also some simple steps we can take, like using a good moisturiser and sunscreen, which are great for your skin."

Encourage their input into the process

Some conversation starters for this are…

• "What do you think about starting with some basic skincare and seeing how your skin responds? We could try some products together and see what works best."
• "Do you have any questions or concerns about your skincare routine? Let’s figure this out together."

Reassure and support them in this process

Some conversation starters for this are…

• "I’m here to support you and help you make the best choices for your skin. We can find a balance between what you want and what’s best for you."
• "You don’t have to follow every trend you see online. Let’s make sure you’re taking care of your skin in a way that’s safe and healthy."

Highlight expert advice

• "How about we check out some advice from experts? The luna app has great information and tips from dermatologists. We can look at that together."
• "I trust the advice from the medical team at luna. They can give us some guidance on what’s best for your skin."

Navigating TikTok skincare trends can be a tricky task for parents, but with the right approach, you can help your teen make safe and informed choices. 

Remember to communicate openly, educate them as best you can about skincare, and know that you really aren’t in this alone – you can always encourage your teen to seek advice from reliable sources, like luna. Together, we can make sure their skincare routine is both safe and effective.