Kids Don’t Need Skincare
I grew up with perfect skin. In my teens, my entire routine was a cleanser and a moisturizer. No seven-step routine, no serums, no masks. I never thought much about skincare back then, and I certainly wouldn’t have at three years old. At that age, your skin is untouched by hormones, stress, makeup, or pollution. It’s pure and is still learning to exist in the world. So when I saw Shay Mitchell launch a skincare brand for children as young as three, it made me pause.
Her line, Rini, is positioned as a safe and gentle introduction to skincare, inspired by her daughters, who wanted to join in on their mommy’s routine. And while I don’t doubt the sincerity behind it, I can’t help but wonder what messages we’re starting to send. I get it. Kids imitate what they see. Skincare can be a bonding experience, but when that ritual becomes branded, complete with packaging, marketing, and routines, it starts to feel like we’re teaching kids not just how to care for their skin, but why they should. And that why it's often tied to appearance.
When I was younger, I never felt the need for skincare beyond basic care. Ironically, it wasn’t until adulthood that I started struggling with acne for the first time. That experience changed how I saw beauty and myself. It taught me that skin goes through seasons, and that not every stage needs to be fixed. Some things take time, and that’s okay, which is why it worries me when we introduce skincare to children who haven’t even had the chance to grow into their own reflection yet. We’re rushing them into a world that already moves too fast, a world that tells us to improve before we even understand who we are.
Through my doctoral research, I examine how emotions and identity are experienced through the body, and how these feelings influence our connection to brands. Skincare and beauty routines aren’t just physical acts; they’re emotional ones. They can bring comfort, confidence, or even a sense of control. But when introduced too early, they can also plant insecurities, the idea that something about us needs maintenance or change. And that’s a heavy story to hand to a child.
This isn’t about criticizing a brand. It’s about reflecting on where beauty culture is headed and how early it now begins. When does skincare stop being self-care and start being self-consciousness? When does introducing wellness turn into introducing worry?
As someone who has experienced the emotional side of skincare, including breakouts, frustration, and the learning curve, I can tell you this: your relationship with your skin is something that unfolds over time. It’s something you grow into, not something to rush. Kids don’t need routines; they need reassurance. They don’t need to start early; they need to feel enough as they are.
There’s a time for everyone to discover skincare, and when it comes naturally, it feels empowering, not pressured. Until then, maybe the best thing we can do for kids is let them just be kids.
- Dania Khalife
