When you think about all the things you should consider when raising your children, skincare may not be at the top of your mind. However, instilling good skin health habits in your kids early can help prevent challenges later. As a parent, teaching the skill through example is the most effective way to instill the importance of healthy skincare habits.
Importance of Teaching Skin Health
The habits children learn early on tend to stick with them into adulthood. Teaching kids skincare routines will create healthier teenagers and adults. Skin care can also help prevent or mitigate risks of skin cancer, which is a significant concern, particularly in areas exposed to harsh sunlight.
Children’s skin is also more sensitive than adults’, making it more vulnerable to risks such as sun exposure or chemicals. Their skin is thinner, underdeveloped and more vulnerable to irritants found in certain products. It’s essential to avoid harsh products to protect the delicate barrier and maintain children’s skin health, instilling good habits along the way.
Lead By Example
Your children observe you constantly. Leading by example is crucial, particularly when it comes to skin health. Self-care of any kind is important for parents to avoid exhaustion, so use your own relaxing skincare routine as an opportunity to teach your children its importance.
Take them into the bathroom or bedroom with you while you do your skincare routine. Show them each step and explain why you are doing it. Answer any questions they have thoughtfully and encouragingly. Since you are older, you might use harsher products with ingredients like retinol. Explain to children why they need a simpler, less aggressive product.
Create a Simple Routine
Because children have sensitive skin, a simple routine is best. Create one and stick to it, ensuring they complete the routine every night to create a healthy habit. Show them how to wash their skin with lukewarm water. If they have excessive dirt or sweat on their face, add a little soap. Purchase gentle products without dyes, harsh chemicals or smells.
Grime like dirt, bacteria and germs linger on skin if not properly washed. When choosing products, pick ones based on ingredients and quality. Some chemicals to avoid include retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids. These chemicals aim to prevent aging, which is not a concern for children — instead, it can dry out their skin. In some cases, certain elements cause burning or itching.
It is best to choose products without harsher ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide is a helpful, cleansing alternative. Be wary of bottles featuring cartoon characters. Just because they are marketed for children does not mean they are safe.
Extra Precautions
Playing outside is a great pastime for kids, but the harsh sun can damage their skin without proper precautions. A general rule is to use no less than SPF 30 any time you’re in the sun — even on cloudy days. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours, or more often if your child is excessively sweaty or swimming. You can also dress them in longer clothes to minimize skin exposure. Even in warmer weather, thinner fabrics offer breathable options that still protect their skin.
As children age into tweens and teenagers, they might develop acne or face blemishes. Encourage them to resist scratching or picking at their skin by explaining how this will cause scarring in adulthood.
Reward System
Sometimes, kids require more motivation than warnings about skin diseases or scarring. For skincare routines, create a chart for each day of the week. Each week that the child does their skincare every night, reward them with a prize of their choice. This can be anything from an extra hour of screen time or a new toy at the store, anything that motivates your child to foster this healthy habit.
Start the reward system while they’re young to help the habit stick as they get older. Skincare is especially crucial for teens and tweens due to the effects of puberty and acne. Conditions like eczema may also appear, which require more intensive care and possibly the attention of a dermatologist. Some skin issues are genetic and can be managed with proper skincare, while others can be prevented by maintaining healthy habits.
Beauty Influencers
With the rise of social media and beauty influencers, kids are learning skincare routines and techniques from grown adults or older teenagers. Because of this, the skincare industry will likely expand to $145 billion by 2028. Children are engaging in skincare routines to emulate their favorite influencers or to fit in with their friends. Parents should pay attention to watch for the use of harmful products or if they become overly obsessed with their appearance.
Encourage your kids to try new things, but monitor them closely. You can watch your child’s favorite beauty influencer’s videos together and engage in conversation. Discover why they like the influencer. When your child requests a new product, ask why they want it. Understanding their motivation can tell you whether the new influence is harmless or hurtful.
A red flag that your kid is negatively impacted by beauty influencing is an overobsession with their skin or excessive product use. Children do not need intense, aggressive products since their faces are still developing. A child who applies too many products to their skin can damage their face, possibly causing dermatitis or allergic reactions. Catching this early and addressing it can prevent long-lasting skin damage for your kid.
Check on your child as well. Excessive skincare might be a result of low self-esteem. Opening up the conversation can inspire them to share these doubts. Together, you can work on inspiring confidence. Children who feel confident in their own skin are less likely to resort to harsh chemicals and excessive routines in pursuit of beauty.
Skincare for Children
As skincare becomes an increasingly important part of overall culture, children must learn how to take care of their skin early on to develop healthy habits for the future. Having a routine of your own and motivating them to do the same goes a long way.
