Additional Coverage:
- I won’t allow my daughter to become a ‘Sephora kid’ because I don’t want her self-worth tied to the beauty industry (businessinsider.com)
My Kid Won’t Be a “Sephora Kid”—Here’s Why
As a skincare enthusiast (I even co-founded a beauty brand!), I find myself in a somewhat ironic position. I adore my skincare routine, yet I’m determined to keep my pre-k daughter away from the makeup and skincare craze for as long as possible.
When she eventually becomes a tween and asks for beauty products, my answer will be a firm “no.” Call me unconventional, but here’s my reasoning.
The “Sephora kid” phenomenon—young Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids obsessed with skincare—is causing a stir. Retailers complain about the chaos they create in stores, and some summer camps have resorted to banning skincare products altogether. While many parents set limits on what their kids can buy, I believe makeup and skincare should wait until they’re older.
First and foremost, I want my daughter to understand that makeup doesn’t define beauty. She’s already told me she wants to wear makeup to be beautiful.
My response? Makeup is for fun, for dressing up—it doesn’t make you more beautiful.
I constantly reinforce that she’s already perfect as she is.
Social media plays a huge role in distorting young people’s perception of beauty. Filters and AI editing create unrealistic, flawless images that can fuel insecurity.
Studies link increased social media use to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in teens. I’m proactively teaching my daughter to identify filters and AI manipulation in online content.
My hope is that she’ll develop a critical eye and question the “perfection” presented by beauty influencers.
Another concern is the inappropriateness of many products for young skin. Tweens don’t need collagen-boosting ingredients; their skin is already full of it!
Harsh exfoliants can damage their delicate skin barrier, leading to irritation. Trending ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, designed for aging skin, can be harmful to young people.
I want my daughter to question whether viral trends are truly right for her.
Finally, there’s the issue of overconsumption. I’m trying to set a good example by curbing my own shopping habits and teaching my daughter mindful consumption.
She doesn’t need a bathroom overflowing with cleansers and mascaras. I want her to avoid the dopamine rush of shopping and the “RFOMO” (retail fear of missing out).
The environmental impact of excessive packaging is another important lesson. Every plastic bottle, cap, and pump ends up in a landfill.
Even the CEO of Sephora agrees that teens only need a few essential products. I’m not anti-skincare or anti-beauty; I simply want my daughter’s first beauty counter experience to be age-appropriate, empowered by knowledge and confidence. I hope she never feels the need to label herself a “Sephora kid.”