⭐ Part 1 Too Young to Glow Up: Why Early Skincare Is Getting Earlier

There’s a growing wave of “Sephora Kids” — children as young as 8, 9, even 10 asking for serums, exfoliants and anti-ageing products they’ve seen online or in shops. Some are layering actives that many adult skins struggle with. The pressure to “glow up” is appearing earlier and louder.

The truth is simple:
young skin doesn’t need rescuing, refining or retexturising.

Childhood skin is still developing. It’s naturally soft, springy and barrier-rich — until it’s disrupted. Many trending products can lead to dryness, redness, bumps and self-consciousness that never needed to begin.

What most young skin actually needs:

At night
• A gentle cleanse to remove the day
• A basic, barrier-friendly moisturiser only if the skin feels dry

In the morning
• A quick wipe with a damp flannel often does enough
• Moisturiser if needed
• SPF 30+ when UV is 3 or above, every day it applies

Nothing “advanced.”
Nothing anti-ageing.
Nothing with strong actives.

Why this matters

To my knowledge, there are currently no national guidelines in the UK for everyday skincare in children aged 5–12. Baby skin is well covered. Sun safety is well covered. Puberty gets a little attention.

But the middle years — 5 to 12 — are a public-health void.
Families are left to piece it together alone.

And children absorb what they see around them: products, influencers, the glow-up culture, older siblings, shop displays. Not because they’re vain — but because nobody has taught them the basics of skin.

The good news is that parents are intuitive. You know your child. And simple, gentle routines go a long way.

⭐ Part 2: Skin Is Not Separate

Your child’s skin isn’t just something on the outside.
It’s part of a much bigger internal picture.

Skin is connected to nearly every major system in the body:

• The gut – influenced by variety and balanced nutrition
• The lungs – sensitive to air quality and pollution
• The heart and muscles – supported by movement and play
• The nervous system – calmed by sleep and emotional safety
• Hormones – shifting as they grow

Skin is a signal system.
It reflects what’s happening inside and responds to the world around it.

That’s why environmental and lifestyle factors matter so much — and why many common childhood skin issues are shaped, worsened or eased by everyday things we can support.

When skin is nurtured simply and appropriately, it tends to thrive:

• A varied, gut-friendly diet
• Enough rest and sleep
• Regular movement and fresh air
• Sun protection and gentle care
• A routine suited to their age — not grown-up products

⭐ Why young skin doesn’t need help to glow

Childhood skin is beautifully active and self-sufficient. It’s working around the clock to protect, renew and stay balanced without needing much interference.

Right now, your child’s skin is naturally producing:

• Lipids and natural oils that protect
• Ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol that support the barrier
• Water-loving molecules to hold hydration
• New skin cells at the perfect pace
• Collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in abundance

In short: their skin is already doing the job brilliantly.

With the best intentions, we sometimes introduce products that interrupt this natural balance. Scrubs, masks, and strong actives can overwhelm a barrier that doesn’t need help.

That’s when we start to see sensitivity, dryness, breakouts and confusion about what the skin actually needs.

The takeaway:

Keep it simple. Protect what’s working.
Let young skin stay healthy without the noise.