In today’s digital world, social media plays a powerful role in shaping how young people see themselves, their skin and their beauty routines. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are filled with skincare trends, beauty influencers, and “must-have” products, making it easier than ever for tweens and teens to discover and want to try new skincare products.
As mothers and founders of Frasique, we understand how difficult it can be for parents to navigate this rapidly changing skincare landscape. We’ve looked closely at the research around children, social media and skincare, and want to share what we’ve learned about kids' skincare, social media beauty trends and how parents can encourage healthy skincare habits from an early age.
More Than Just a Trend: The Rise of Social Media Skincare
Skincare can be a wonderful way for children to learn about self-care, confidence and healthy habits. We believe that skincare should be a ritual of self-love and confidence, not fueled by unrealistic, viral trends. But in today's world of endless scrolling, where skincare becomes driven by viral trends, unrealistic beauty standards or the pressure to achieve “perfect” skin, the focus can shift from caring for skin to constantly trying to change it.
The Hype vs. The Harm
It’s easy to see why tweens and teens are drawn to social media skincare routines. Beautifully packaged products, influencer recommendations and satisfying “before and after” videos can make complicated routines appear fun, necessary and completely normal.
But not every skincare product or ingredient promoted online is appropriate for young, developing skin. A routine designed for an adult may contain active ingredients or multiple products that are unnecessary for younger skin.
When More Isn't Better
One of the biggest messages we want parents and young people to hear is that a longer skincare routine isn't necessarily a better skincare routine.
Using too many products or following viral skincare trends without understanding the ingredients can potentially cause irritation, dryness or sensitivity. For young people who are still learning about their skin, starting with a simple, age-appropriate routine is a much better approach.
Why Age-Appropriate Skincare Matters
Young skin deserves thoughtful care. Tweens and teens are also at an important stage of developing their own routines, preferences and understanding of beauty and self-care.
Young skin is fundamentally different, and so is the way pre-teens and teens process information. Social media can add another layer of influence, particularly when young people are exposed to highly curated images and persuasive beauty marketing every day.
The Influence of Social Media
The combination of developing skin and cognitive skills means that following digital advice can be riskier than we think. When a popular creator recommends a product, it can feel like a trusted personal recommendation rather than advertising and young people may not always recognise when content is sponsored or designed to sell a product.
While teenagers might feel confident making their own skincare choices, their decision-making skills are still developing. Peer pressure and the search for social validation can lead to impulsive product choices. Their brains aren’t fully equipped to evaluate risks properly, especially when influenced by the glamorous, often unrealistic images shared by influencers online.
This is why helping children develop social media and advertising literacy is so important.Encourage them to ask:
- Who is recommending this product?
- Is this content sponsored or paid for?
- Is the product actually designed for my age group?
- Do I really need this product?
- Is the advice based on evidence or simply a viral trend?
The Pressure to Achieve “Perfect” Skin
Social media can also influence how young people perceive their own skin. Filters, carefully edited images and highly curated beauty content can create unrealistic expectations about what healthy skin should look like.
Healthy skin does not need to be completely poreless, perfectly even or free from every blemish. At Frasique, we believe skincare should be about caring for skin rather than correcting perceived imperfections. Age-appropriate skincare should help children feel comfortable and confident in their own skin — not make them feel that they need to constantly fix or improve themselves.
This is why we focus on gentle, effective ingredients that respect the delicate balance of young skin.
How Parents Can Navigate Social Media Skincare Trends
Parents, you don't need to know every viral skincare trend or every ingredient being discussed online. Instead, focus on helping your child develop simple, healthy skincare habits and the confidence to question what they see online.
1. Keep Their Skincare Routine Simple
For many tweens and teens, a simple routine is a great place to start. A basic routine can include the following steps:
Cleanse → Moisturise → Protect
A gentle cleanser to remove everyday dirt, oil and impurities, and a suitable moisturiser to help support the skin barrier. During the day, sun protection is also an important part of caring for skin.
Note that the right routine will depend on the child's age, skin type and individual needs.
2. Don't Follow Every Viral Trend
Just because a product is trending on TikTok or Instagram doesn't mean it is necessary or suitable for young skin.
Encourage your child to pause before adding a new product to their routine and think about whether they actually need it.
3. Become Ingredient-Aware
You don't need to become a skincare expert overnight. Start by reading product labels and looking for age-appropriate skincare products specifically formulated with young skin in mind.
When introducing new products, keeping the routine simple also makes it easier to identify what works well for their skin.
4. Talk About What They See Online
Instead of simply telling them to avoid social media skincare trends, use this as an opportunity for conversation.
Ask what they like about a particular product or routine and why they want to try it. This can help children develop critical thinking skills while creating an open environment where they feel comfortable asking questions.
5. Seek Professional Advice When Needed
Every child's skin is different. If your child is experiencing persistent acne, eczema, significant sensitivity, irritation or other skin concerns, it's best to speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist for personalised advice.
Building Healthy Skincare Habits From the Start
We believe the goal of tween and teen skincare shouldn't be about achieving flawless skin. It should be about teaching young people how to care for themselves in a simple, positive and age-appropriate way.
By helping children understand the difference between skincare and beauty marketing, encouraging simple routines and talking openly about what they see on social media, we can help them develop healthier relationships with skincare and their own appearance.
At Frasique, this is at the heart of what we do. We created our range specifically with young, growing skin in mind, and a focus on gentle, safe and simple skincare that makes building a daily routine feel positive and enjoyable.
Because skincare should be a moment of self-care — not another source of pressure!
By guiding our kids with empathy and evidence-based advice, we help them build the confidence they need to navigate the world. We are so excited to have you on this journey with us. From our family to yours, let’s help the next generation shine.
Unleash your shine!
xx Ana & Barbara
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References & Further Reading
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Arefin, S., & Al Alwany, H. M. A. (2025). Skin-care obsessed kids: The hidden risks and healthy alternatives every parent should know. Clinical Medicine and Health Research Journal (CMHRJ), 5(1), 1082–1086. https://www.cmhrj.com
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Brinks, A. L., Needle, C. D., Pulavarty, A., Kearney, C. A., Maguire, C. A., Calderón, D., Sharoff, A. N., Shapiro, J., Orlow, S. J., Lo Sicco, K. I., & Oza, V. S. (2025). Exploring the rise in pediatric “skincare routines” on social media. International Journal of Dermatology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17666
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Parikh, A. K., & Lipner, S. R. (2024). Glow or no-go: Ethical considerations of adolescent and teen skincare trends in social media. Skin Research and Technology, 30(9). https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.70029
