'This is why 10-year-olds shouldn’t go to Sephora'

A dermatologist has weighed in after seeing the tween's shocking clip that's left thousands of parents horrified. 

If you have a tween in your life, you may have first hand experience of their love for visiting the mall on the weekend to check out all things skincare.

‘Drunk Elephant Tweens’ as they have become known, are taking over chains like Sephora and Mecca for high end skincare products once reserved for the adults, and experts are warning that this obsession can be dangerous.

In a TikTok shared by dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jeffy, an upset 10-year-old girl looks into her bathroom mirror with a very red face after washing off some product.

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The tween alongside Dr Jeffy. Image: TikTok.

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“A chemical burn”

“Oh my God, this is a chemical burn,” Dr Jeffrey says in the TikTok.

“She has completely destroyed her skin barrier.

“It is going to be itchy and red. She’s going to peel. It will take two to three weeks for this to resolve.”

In the caption below the TikTok, Dr Jeffy explains why this is a scary reminder for parents and tweens that they need to use age-appropriate skincare.

“This young girl experienced a chemical burn from using products not designed for her delicate skin,” Dr Jeffy writes.

“In my practice, I often see young individuals suffering from severe skin ailments as a result of using harsh acids, retinols, and other adult skincare products.

“It’s a harsh reminder of the need for safe, appropriate skincare choices to prevent long-term damage, discomfort, and destruction of the skin barrier.

“Remember, simple is best for young skin.”

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“It happened to me”

Many users in the comments expressed their concern for the youngster, while sharing they have experienced similar reactions.

“That happened to me one time, I never used my mom’s facemasks again,” one commenter wrote.

Others were worried about the trend of tweens shopping for expensive brands.

“Sephora kids only exist because their parents allow them to. The trend pressure nowadays is so stupid,” one riled user wrote.

"A waste of money"

Back in March, Kidspot chatted with former LA-based celebrity facialist Ingrid Seaburn, who has been in the skincare space for over two decades. 

“The rise in social media influencers and marketing towards tweens is dangerous. Tweens under the age of 12 simply do not need active anti-ageing products or rich chemically based moisturisers or masks,” she told Kidspot earlier this year. 

Not only could these products irritate their skin, but they’re also essentially useless on young faces, which don’t need creams and serums that target fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation or dullness. 

“They’re a waste of money,” she notes. 

In addition, Ingrid says many people don't know that using these products prematurely could lead to more skin problems later on.

“If they use these things before their skin needs them, they potentially risk creating long-term sensitivity and damage to their skin,” she says. 

“It’s not worth the potential risk of making your skin worse in the future.”

Originally published as 'This is why 10-year-olds shouldn’t go to Sephora'