If your tween is like most, there’s a good chance they’re riding the GRWM (get ready with me) wave sweeping through social media feeds like wildfire. You know, the videos where beauty influencers share their skincare regimens filled with popular products found at beauty behemoths like Sephora and Ulta. While taking care of your skin isn’t new and is certainly important, some young kids have been coveting viral products that can actually be harmful.
Dr. Brooke Jeffy, a tween and teen skincare expert, has spoken on this topic before, and she’s returned with a guide to help parents navigate the world of Sephora products: Some are safe for tweens and tweens, and some should be avoided at all costs.
@brookejeffymd What you should and should not buy your tweens & teens at Sephora according to a #dermatologist ❌ Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ❌ Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream ❌ Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream (contains retinol) ✅ Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray (you can find cheaper options on Amazon) ✅ Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser ✅ Inkey List Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 ✅ innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 #sephora #teenskicnare #tweenskincare #sephoratween
♬ original sound – Dr. Brooke Jeffy
Sephora Products Tweens and Teens Should Avoid Avoid
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
Drunk Elephant is one of those lines that tweens and teens are obsessed with, but the brand isn’t formulated with young skin in mind. Jeffy says this night serum is a no because it’s got exfoliating acids, which she says will destroy skin barriers in young users.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream
Another viral product from the popular skincare line is also a hard pass for Jeffy, as tweens and teens with normal skin absolutely shouldn’t use retinol on their skin. Here’s a list of other types of skincare Jeffy says kids don’t need.
Sol de Janeiro Beija-Flor Elasti-Cream
If your kid wants some sort of Sol de Janeiro product, stick with the popular hair and body mist products. “Tweens don’t need Bum Bum Cream, and this one contains retinol,” Jeffy says.
Sephora Products That Are Okay for Tweens and Teens to Use
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Jeffy likes this one! “Safe and effective,” she says. An acid is included as an ingredient, but it’s a good one— hypochlorous acid—which has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that soothe and protect skin. It’s 100% natural and dermatologist-approved.
Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser
This is another Sephora product that got Jeffy’s approval. This hydrating cleanser removes makeup and dirt, locks in moisture, and continues to hydrate hours after using. “It’s great for young skin,” Jeffy says.
Inkey List Dewey Sunscreen SPF 30
Another pick from the popular clean beauty line, this sunscreen is formulated with polyglutamic acid and squalane for protected, primed, and dewy skin. Jeffy says this is an ideal SPF for all ages.
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
This K Beauty sunscreen is only found at Sephora and has Jeffy’s approval. It’s fragrance-free, made without oxybenzone, and since it’s a green-tinted sunscreen with eight types of hyaluronic acid, it reduces redness while soothing and hydrating.
If you’re wondering what other advice Jeffy might have for steering your kids toward a solid skincare regimen, check out her tips on teen skincare and learn the skincare mistakes she made as a teen—you might be surprised!
