logo
Viral Beauty Routines Are Damaging Tween and Teen Skin, Study Warns

Viral Beauty Routines Are Damaging Tween and Teen Skin, Study Warns

Newsweek6 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
"Get ready with me" videos are overflowing on TikTok, drawing millions to watch influencers and the like walk through their skincare routines.
But lately, a new wave of content creators is entering the frame: middle schoolers or even children as young as seven layering serums, eye creams and exfoliants onto already delicate, youthful skin.
Now, new research has confirmed these types of videos can put teens at risk of lifelong skin allergy.
Young teenager recording 'Get Ready With Me' beauty blog from cozy bedroom applying clay facial mask.
Young teenager recording 'Get Ready With Me' beauty blog from cozy bedroom applying clay facial mask.
Mariia Vitkovska
The new peer-reviewed study from Northwestern Medicine, published today on June 9 in Pediatrics, is raising red flags about the popular trend of teen skincare routines shared on social media.
The study is the first of its kind to examine the dermatological and psychological risks tied to these viral beauty regimens.
Authors found girls between the ages of seven and 18 are applying an average of six different skincare products daily, with some layering more than a dozen.
"It's problematic to show girls devoting this much time and attention to their skin," said corresponding author Dr. Molly Hales, a postdoctoral research fellow and board-certified dermatologist in the department of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
The financial cost is also concerning. The average teen skincare routine costs $168 a month, according to the study, with some reaching upward of $500.
Despite the hype, the routines often neglect the basics: only 26 percent of daytime regimens included sunscreen—a critical oversight, especially for developing skin.
Yet it's not just money being wasted. The study found that the top-viewed skincare videos featured an average of 11 potentially irritating active ingredients.
This cocktail of acids, retinoids and fragrances increases the risk of allergic contact dermatitis—a lifelong skin allergy that can permanently restrict a person's use of certain soaps, shampoos and cosmetics.
"That high risk of irritation came from both using multiple active ingredients at the same time, such as hydroxy acids, as well as applying the same active ingredient unknowingly over and over again when that active ingredient was found in three, four, five different products," Hales said.
In one analyzed video, a content creator applied 10 separate products in just six minutes. By the end of the clip, her face was visibly red and irritated.
"As she's applying the products, she begins to express discomfort and burning, and in the final few minutes, she develops a visible skin reaction," said senior author Dr. Tara Lagu, adjunct lecturer of medicine and medical social sciences at Feinberg and a former Northwestern Medicine hospitalist.
The researchers also observed an unsettling pattern in the aesthetics and messaging of these viral videos.
"We saw that there was preferential, encoded racial language in some cases that really emphasized lighter, brighter skin," Lagu said. "I think there also were real associations between use of these regimens and consumerism."
The videos tend to offer little to no health benefit for the children watching them, researchers concluded. Yet they're virtually impossible for parents or pediatricians to monitor, thanks to the untrusted algorithms that power TikTok's "For You" page.
"We're setting a very high standard for these girls," Hales said. "The pursuit of health has become a kind of virtue in our society, but the ideal of 'health' is also very wrapped up in ideals of beauty, thinness and whiteness. The insidious thing about 'skin care' is that it claims to be about health."
Funding for the study was provided by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (grant number 5T32AR060710-11). Other Northwestern authors include Drs Amy Paller and Walter Liszewski, and medical student Sarah Rigali.
Newsweek reached out to TikTok via email on 06/06/2025.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

VA Marks Benefits Milestone For Veterans
VA Marks Benefits Milestone For Veterans

Newsweek

timean hour ago

  • Newsweek

VA Marks Benefits Milestone For Veterans

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that its mobile app has now accumulated more than 3 million downloads since its launch in 2021. The Health and Benefits app, which has 1.4 million active users, provides veterans access to information on health care and benefits. It allows users to refill and track VA prescriptions, review appointments, review claims and appeals status, submit evidence for claims and appeals, review VA payment and direct deposit information, locate the closest VA facilities, access the Veterans Crisis Line and show proof of Veteran status. VA Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Acting Chief Information Officer Eddie Pool said: "VA's Health and Benefits app gives Veterans fast and convenient access to a host of important information, from appointments to prescriptions and benefits. We encourage all VA-enrolled Veterans to stay connected and informed by downloading the app." File photo: the Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington. File photo: the Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington. Charles Dharapak/AP This story will be updated.

Nurses Were Covid Heroes. Now They're Being Squeezed by Medicaid Cuts
Nurses Were Covid Heroes. Now They're Being Squeezed by Medicaid Cuts

Newsweek

time2 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Nurses Were Covid Heroes. Now They're Being Squeezed by Medicaid Cuts

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New York City nurses are calling for reforms as an industry plagued by a "broken" health care system threatens their livelihoods and the future of their profession. Why It Matters Nurses were considered vital and lauded as heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, when at the outset the National Institutes of Health highlighting their "critical roles and responsibilities" that included front-line patient care in hospitals; ensuring personalized, high-quality services irrespective of infectious conditions; and engaging in planning for outbreaks stemming from coronavirus-related outbreaks that could overwhelm health systems. "These are issues that have preceded the pandemic and will continue until hospitals make serious efforts to recruit and retain nurses and invest in safe patient care," Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), told Newsweek. "We're also witnessing the effects of a broken healthcare system," she said. "Patients can't afford care, so they put it off, and they come into hospitals much sicker than they ever were. The looming Medicaid cuts will only make this worse. NYSNA nurses are trying to hold hospitals accountable and also do as much as possible on the policy front to expand access to care." What To Know Hagans said that she and other nurses have complained about a nursing shortage for years. "NYSNA nurses have always maintained that there are more than enough nurses, but hospitals refuse to make real efforts to recruit and retain nurses," Hagans said. "We are seeing many more grads entering the profession than nurses leaving. Through better working conditions, safe staffing, and pay and benefits that respect nurses, hospitals could address whatever staffing issues they create." However, NYSNA, New York's largest union and professional association for registered nurses, which represents over 42,000 nurses and health care professionals, has been vocal about recent actions by some hospital systems that are cutting costs as well as jobs. New York City nurses and organizations have warned for years that staffing reductions and dwindling budgets are negatively impacting the profession long-term. New York City nurses and organizations have warned for years that staffing reductions and dwindling budgets are negatively impacting the profession long-term. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva Montefiore Moses and Weiler In February, dozens of Bronx nurses at Montefiore Moses and Weiler spoke out about purported overcrowding and minimized services in emergency departments and hospital floors, as well as some surgical and palliative care services. Montefiore recorded a 0.2 percent operating loss in the first quarter of 2025. The statement, provided to Newsweek, says that while finances remained consistent year over year, "the proposed changes to reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid are drawing the attention of healthcare providers across the country." "As one of the largest employers and providers of healthcare in the Bronx and Westchester, we are navigating a challenging and uncertain healthcare environment," Montefiore officials said. "Yet, we remain committed to providing the highest quality care to our communities, and to evaluating opportunities to reduce expenses and diversify our payer mix. "We implore elected officials to continue partnering with institutions like ours, serving a patient population that is 85 percent covered by government payor, to ensure sustainable funding." NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital In May, the NYSNA criticized NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, a nonprofit academic medical center in New York City, following the announcement of a 2 percent staffing cut across their system—calling it "outrageous and deeply offensive" due to NYP being the city's wealthiest hospital system and one of the country's most financially stable. "Given current macroeconomic realities and anticipated challenges ahead, we have made the difficult decision to reduce our workforce by approximately 2 percent," an NYP spokesperson told Newsweek. "Where possible, we are working diligently to identify new and similar roles for impacted team members. "To elaborate, the healthcare environment continues to evolve, including changes to Medicaid and cuts to research grants to our medical school partners. In addition to these external factors, we are seeing fewer inpatients than expected and incurring higher expenses than projected. Focusing on improving efficiencies and managing expenses is a prudent action that will enable us to continue our mission of providing excellent care for our patients and communities." Hagans said that hospitals like Presbyterian, "with hefty amounts of cash on hand and historic executive pay," should be doing all they can to maintain and expand care rather than cut it. Albany Medical Center On June 5, nurses at Albany Medical Center called out the hospital for its ongoing refusal to address the staffing crisis and protect patient care. The criticism was in response to the nurses providing an update on the hospital's responses to a State Department of Health (DOH) report that found more than 500 violations, including 480 relating to safe staffing standards and 24 procedural violations. The violations were found across 26 different units, including 32 specifically within the neonatal intensive care unit, according to NYSNA. Almost a year after its initial investigation, and following several rejected correction plans, the DOH has yet to issue fines or prompt substantive change from the hospital, according to NYSNA. They called on the Albany Med Board of Directors to hold the hospital accountable. Nearly a year after its first investigation and several rejected correction plans, the DOH has yet to issue fines or spur substantive change from the hospital. Roughly 1,000 nurses signed a petition calling on Albany Med to negotiate a fair contract that will help address the staffing crisis. "There have been no nursing cuts at Albany Medical Center," Sue Rajchel, spokesperson for Albany Med, told Newsweek. "That is why we welcomed 300 new nurses in 2024 and are committed to hiring 400 nurses in 2025. "Our workforce is our greatest asset. We are continuing to negotiate with the union in good faith. We remain confident that our most recent contract proposal, which includes robust wage increases and enhanced benefits, is strong and fair. We will continue to listen to our nurses and advocate for them as we always have." What People Are Saying Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association, told Newsweek: "Less nurses compromises care. Period. The recent layoffs at Presbyterian will affect children and vulnerable patients most dramatically. Presbyterian has said that the impacted services will continue at other campuses, but for many, traveling long distances for care puts that care out of reach." What Happens Next "For nurses who know these cuts will negatively impact their communities, it's extremely demoralizing. But NYSNA nurses will keep fighting," Hagans said.

Americans Told to Stay Indoors in Three States
Americans Told to Stay Indoors in Three States

Newsweek

time3 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Americans Told to Stay Indoors in Three States

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Air quality alerts were in effect for three U.S. states on Monday morning, with officials cautioning that heightened levels of air pollution could present a health risk to certain members of the population. Sensitive groups, such as older adults, children, and those with respiratory conditions are at particular risk during periods of poor air quality, experts say. The National Weather Service (NWS) published alerts for Maine, Ohio, and New Hampshire. An alert for Maine warned that smoke from Canadian wildfires would linger in the state's Northern region through Sunday evening. Smoke from Canadian wildfires can be seen partially obscuring the skyline of downtown Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Smoke from Canadian wildfires can be seen partially obscuring the skyline of downtown Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Nick Ingram/AP Photo "The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects," it advised. "People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, the elderly, those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma, those with heart disease and anyone who is working hard outdoors," it added. This is a developing story and will be updated shortly.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store