California bill aims to ban the sale of potent antiaging products to shoppers under 18
Calling the trend of children buying antiaging skin care 'ridiculous and a paradox,' a state legislator has introduced a bill that would ban the sale of such beauty products to customers under the age of 18.
The recent obsession among so-called Sephora Kids for skin care containing potent chemicals has alarmed parents and dermatologists, who say anti-wrinkle serums, exfoliants and peels are too harsh for sensitive young skin.
Under a bill introduced Tuesday by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San José), retailers would be prohibited from selling cosmetic products to shoppers under 18 if they contain vitamin A and its derivatives, including retinoids and retinol. Products containing an alpha hydroxy acid, including glycolic acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and citric acid, would also be covered.
'Children who are 10 years old, 12 years old, shouldn't have to worry about wrinkles,' Lee said in an interview with The Times. 'The viral trend of Sephora Kids is better marketing than any company could ever pay for. The multibillion-dollar industry is willingly profiting off this trend, even though they themselves admit and know that those products are not safe for children.'
For more than a year, a fast-growing army of kids, many still in elementary school, have been swarming into beauty stores around the country and showing off their skin-care hauls and elaborate morning and nighttime regimens on TikTok and YouTube.
The skin-care phenomenon among Gen Alpha — typically defined as those born between 2010 and 2024 — is leading to a windfall of unexpected business for the booming global skin-care industry, which historically has targeted women, not girls.
Cosmetics brands and the retailers that carry their products are facing a delicate balancing act as they figure out how to market to a growing cohort of impressionable customers. Many are rolling out kid-friendly skin-care products with colorful, eye-catching packaging, while noting that they do not promote products with active ingredients to children.
Dermatologists encourage kids to get into the habit of using age-appropriate products such as a daily sunscreen, gentle cleanser and hydrating moisturizer.
But they draw the line at potentially harmful skin care intended to slow the aging process in adults, and worry 'skinfluencers' are pushing children to splurge on expensive products they don't need. They're also concerned the craze is kick-starting an unhealthy fixation with physical appearance.
'If someone is just trying to start incorporating skin care into their routine and they don't have any concerns like acne, then definitely try to stay away from active ingredients,' said Dr. Jayden Galamgam, a pediatric dermatologist at UCLA Health. 'They can cause a lot of irritation for kids' skin.'
Sephora did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lee introduced the bill, AB 728, after an earlier version failed in May. The new iteration goes a step further than last year's bill, which sought to ban the sale of antiaging products to shoppers under 13.
The earliest AB 728 could be signed into law would be October.
Lee acknowledged that some young consumers will inevitably try to get their parents or older friends to buy the products for them, but that it was 'important that we send a strong market signal' nonetheless.
'Just because someone will try to cheat the system, it doesn't mean we don't have over-18-and-plus laws on marijuana, on alcohol, on tobacco,' he said. 'Because the reality is there are a lot of kids today who are able to purchase something that is harmful for them and there's nothing stopping them.'
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Educators ask state for support in the classroom
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One particular student had a 'massive' behavioral health issue. He would leave the classroom, punch and kick the walls in the hallway and run out of the school, if given the opportunity. Kim Amen headshot On July 15, 2024, former vice president Kim Amen assumed the role of president for the Wyoming Education Association. One of Amen's goals is to strengthen the association through communication and increasing membership numbers. 'That was a rough year for her,' Amen said. 'When I asked her why she submitted her resignation, she said, 'Because I can't do this anymore. It's not helping my mental health. I'm not a good mom, I'm not a good wife. I can't keep doing this.'' Smaller classroom sizes make a big difference for teachers, the WEA president said. It allows the educator to build better relationships with their students and engage in their learning. A classroom of 23 first-graders with no support staff 'is unmanageable,' Amen said. And this case is not an anomaly — it's an issue happening across the state, she said. 'Students are not the same as they were 15 years ago,' Amen said. 'As you know, they're a great thermometer for our culture.' Increased exposure to social media, such as YouTube and TikTok, has changed how younger students behave and pay attention in the classroom, she said. Since the issue is 'here to stay,' schools need to change how they approach supporting teachers during instruction. One question was asked by committee members multiple times: What is the state's role in this? Teacher Bill of Rights Some states have drafted a Teacher Bill of Rights, a state law that outlines rights, protections and working conditions for K-12 public educators in the classroom. Wyoming is a member of the Education Commission of the States, and state Department of Education Chief of Staff Dicky Shanor said this commission was willing to collect information on bills from other states and present it at the committee's next meeting. Co-chairman Rep. Ocean Andrew, R-Laramie, said the Teacher Bill of Rights seemed 'elusive.' Rep. Ocean Andrew, R-Laramie (2025) Rep. Ocean Andrew, R-Laramie 'If we are going to … ask our staff to draft something, we probably need some more specific suggestions of what the actual lines of statute would look like,' Andrew said. 'We keep bringing it up as a very abstract concept.' Amen said she supported the idea of a Teachers Bill of Rights, but only if it's done in a way that supports teachers without harming students. WEA Governmental Relations Director Tate Mullen echoed his colleague's concern. 'We want to keep (teachers) in the profession, but we also want to make sure that we're not giving up on students,' Mullen said. 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'Is there some type of revision or maybe more flexibility for the districts? Should it be less prescriptive from the state, top down?' Rothfuss echoed Kelly's concern in his question to Amen, who said she didn't have an answer. 'I do know that that is a topic that's been discussed for years, and I know the State Board of Education has been working on reducing the state standards,' Amen said. '... We have to take some things off the plate, but we don't know which ones.'
Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
35 Beauty Products For Anyone In Their 30s
Olay Super Serum Body Wash that will make anyone with dry or dull skin REJOICE — this is packed with niacinamide, shea butter, and collagen peptides to nourish your skin for 24-hour hydration that will make you feel ~luminous~. (Psst — this is the body wash version of their TikTok-famous, super effective facial Super Serum, so you KNOW they mean business.) Mielle's Rosemary Mint strengthening oil, a reviewer-beloved, TikTok-famous beauty prod that lives up to the hype — this is infused with biotin so it doesn't just strengthen hair, but helps encourage growth. Reviewers who use this consistently swear by it for thinning hairlines, sparse hair at their part, bald patches, and even their eyebrows! And Boldify Hairline Powder for anyone who's like, "Hmmm. Wasn't there ... a lot more hair there before??" when they're styling their roots. This "makeup for hair" helps effortlessly fill in the gaps in your hairline so you don't have style around it. Reviewers also swear by this for touching up their roots between appointments! Ocusoft Lid Scrub Pads that reviewers with dry, itchy, and irritated eyes swear by — they're designed with a modified version of coconut oil to not only cleanse your eyes, but soothe and refresh eyelid discomfort. Yes, even the "I just spent 12 hours staring at Big, Medium, *and* Little Screen" kind. Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder to absorb oil and blur pores so effectively that you'll be like, "Oh ... witchcraft??" Might be the only explanation for how this can matte-ify your complexion while still keeping it radiant and glowy ✨. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which became the internet's holy grail — now in four shades! — for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes so fast that everyone's old concealers are doing double takes. This lightweight color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference. Plus Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel, a cult-fave product for your beauty arsenal that will quickly help minimize eye puffiness and swelling thanks to its winning combo of caffeine and hyaluronic acid. It's basically an alarm clock for your eyeballs, because boy howdy are they awake now!! Biodance's TikTok-beloved Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask for an overnight ~refresh~ to help firm skin, boost elasticity, and minimize pores. Reviewers mention noticing a visible difference even after one use! You are about to become the definition of "I woke up like this" ✨. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey that you're definitely going to want to stock up on *now*, before TikTokers go feral again (guilty as charged). This cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status — it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it subtly transforming entire beauty looks with just a few swipes. E.l.f's Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes. This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required. Eos' Cashmere Skin Collection Shave Oil — yes, that's right, the astronomically TikTok-famous Eos "cashmere" body lotion now comes in shave oil form, so you can lock in that ridiculously compelling whipped vanilla, musk, and soft caramel scent *and* protect your skin from razor burn. Reviewers are notably impressed by how close of a shave they can get with this, particularly in sensitive areas! L'Oréal Paris BB Cream, a FAST-acting, anti-redness moisturizer with results that feel like legitimate magic — especially considering its competitor, the Dr Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Cream, is over twice as expensive. Reviewers especially love this as a base for their makeup, because it leaves skin super soft and primed. A TikTok-beloved "Soft" perfume rollerball that honestly has no right smelling so delectable and layering so well considering it's only five cash dollars. Reviewers are obsessed with the scent's warm sweetness with a hint of citrusy zest, comparing it to waffle cones, lemon pound cake, and warm vanilla scones ... and this $65 bottle of Pink Sugar 👀. Lumify Eye Drops, a product so beloved by TikTok that despite being more $$ than other brands, it's the number one selling brand on Amazon right now. Reviewers swear by this for instant reduction in redness in their eyes, with visible differences within a minute of use. Mighty Patch Nose Patches for overnight use to help kick "nose gunk" to the curb — this extra-large hydrocolloid patch helps lift sebum to reduce the appearance of pimples, pores, and oil. You can even see all the satisfyingly gross evidence for yourself when you pull it off in the a.m. 👀. A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo that thousands of reviewers swear by for helping restore their hair and promote healthy hair growth over time. It also includes nourishing ingredients like rosemary oil, zinc, and coconut oil to help moisturize locks and give them a fuller, more volumized look. Londontown "Nail Veil" Protectant, which is designed not only to protect your nails, but to act as a sheer tint to enhance their natural look. It's basically "no makeup makeup," but for your fingernails. An "Exfoliate & Glow" premium scrub mitt for that oh-so-squeaky clean sensation that comes with sloughing off dead skin. No, for real — one reviewer saw all the dead skin left in their shower floor and dubbed themselves a "Lizard Person" after shedding it. This is great for helping even out skin texture and tone, preventing ingrown hairs, calming keratosis pilaris, and removing self-tanner, too! MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation, which lives up to its name and THEN some — one quick spray of the foundation on the included brush, and it glides so smoothly and subtly over your skin texture that you'll feel like a makeup artist did it for you. Reviewers in their thirties, forties, and up especially swear by this lightweight but effective formula, and love that it's ridiculously easy to use. Skala's Mais Cacho Hair 2-in-1 Conditioning Treatment, the holy grail of curly hair products — you can either use it as a conditioning treatment, or wear it all day in your curls both to style and condition for all-day hair repair. Reviewers swear by it for healthier, bouncier, more well-defined curls, and love how gently it helps detangle, too. A "flossing toothbrush" with two layers of bristles — regular firm bristles, and longer ones that are ten times thinner to clean deep in between your teeth and gums to mimic flossing. Reviewers love how deep the clean feels, and also how soft it is on sensitive teeth! A set of collagen-infused forehead patches to deeply hydrate your skin and improve its elasticity to minimize fine lines and give you a ~refreshed~ vibe when you wake up in the morning. Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm, a game-changing makeup remover made with a blend of pearl barley and vitamin E that reviewers adore for getting that ✨ CLEAN clean✨ feeling — it's designed to leave zero residue or oiliness, *plus* brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots. People compare it to pricey versions like Farmacy Green Clean, Dermalogica, and Elemis! A deliciously soothing, super gentle Briotech spray reviewers compare to the pricier Tower 28 SOS Spray. It's similarly designed with hypochlorous acid, which targets bacteria that causes acne, skin irritation, and blemishes *without* drying your skin. Reviewers swear by this handy little spray for helping not just with acne, but rosacea, eczema, dryness, dermatitis (scalp included!), and even toenail fungus. Glossmetics' Lychee Overnight Lip Mask, a Laneige or Tatcha alternative that's already a cult-fave in the making — you can wear this non-stick, ultra glossy lip shine during the day or overnight as a lip treatment to help hydrate, soften, and condition your lips. Not to mention you will taste *delectable* all day and night. (Just ask the many lychee martinis I have downed on this here earth!) A Benzene-free, travel-friendly applicator of I Dew Care's dry shampoo powder so easy to use that you can just dab it on your hairline and rub it in for an instant, oil-absorbing refresh. Now your "no wash" days are a secret that you and your roots will never tell 👀. Etude's delightfully multipurpose Dear Darling Water Tint, which a lot of reviewers compare to Benefit's Lip Tint. This smudgeproof formula is designed primarily to be a natural-looking, weightless lip stain, but reviewers use it as a blush as well! A quick-drying top nail coat, because sometimes you just have to get the show on the road, nail polish situation be damned — this helps dry your wet nails within two minutes so you can get back to business (read: sticking your hand in a chip bag without fear). A pack of cult-favorite Clean Skin Club Clean Towels — these ultra-soft, chemical-free disposable towels are ideal for drying your face or pairing with a makeup remover or face wash to gently remove makeup at the end of the day. A lot of folks with sensitive skin *swear* by these, particularly because it helps prevent exposing their skin to bacteria that may collect in ordinary reusable towels. A beautifully packaged, travel-friendly Touchland Power Mist hydrating hand sanitizer for anyone who's like "mindfully practicing health and safety, but make it fashion." Unlike other sanitizer sprays, it's infused with aloe vera to keep your skin hydrated and has the most luxurious floral scents. TruSkin vitamin C serum that just short of startles reviewers for how fast it visibly brightens and firms skin even from the first use, and how well it reduces wrinkles and the appearance of dark spots over time. This may be on the pricier side of skincare, but reviewers compare the cult-fave blend of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to the $182 SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum. With over 95,000 5-star reviews on Amazon and dozens of before-and-after reviewer photos, the hype is more than earned. Mixsoon's Bean Essence, a TikTok-beloved K-beauty staple for exfoliating and hydrating that anyone chasing the ~glass skin~ look will want to know about immediately. You can use this as a low-maintenance, high results exfoliant by massaging it into your skin two to three times a week for a smoother, brighter, more even complexion. Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Milky Leave-In Conditioner to not only defrizz your hair, soften it, and protect it from heat, but to leave you smelling like the oh-so-scrumptious, wildly-beloved Cheirosa 62 "sunshine" fragrance — you know, that pistachio, jasmine, and vanilla scent that has the OG Bum Bum Cream and Hair & Body Mists constantly on the verge of selling out. Nyx's Pore Filler Targeted Stick, a holy grail option for anyone with sensitive skin who may have had it up to HERE with other pore fillers and their promises. This has a "blurring" effect to reduce the appearance of pores and smooth your skin without causing any extra shine you have to blot out. Essence's "What the Fake!" Plumping Lip Filler to give your lips a lil' extra ~vavoom~ — this tingly formula not only volumizes your lips, but it's made with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to leave them extra moisturized and hydrated.
Health Line
6 hours ago
- Health Line
What Is ‘Skinny Tok?' Experts Debunk the Harmful TikTok Trend for Weight Loss
' Skinny Tok,' an extreme form of dieting that equates thinness with health, continues to trend on TikTok. Experts warn that the trend perpetuates negative body image and toxic diet culture. Extreme calorie restriction has mental and physical consequences. There are many sustainable, evidence-based ways to achieve a healthy weight. A harmful and misleading body image trend continues to surface on TikTok. So-called 'Skinny Tok' is a controversial corner of the social media platform where proponents tout extreme thinness under the guise of wellness and lifestyle advice. Leading the Skinny Tok movement is Gen Z influencer Liv Schmidt, who rose to internet fame by sharing what she referred to as 'skinny girl hacks.' Her content, which included low calorie 'What I Eat in a Day' videos, sparked widespread concern about its potential to normalize disordered eating. After being banned from TikTok in 2024 for violating the platform's community guidelines, Schmidt resurfaced with a new username. Skinny Tok content continues to gain traction. There are currently over 74,000 videos shared under the #skinnytok hashtag, many of which share extreme calorie deficits and regular body checks, where users document their shrinking bodies. Skinny Tok: A dangerous way to lose weight Registered dietitian Emily Van Eck, described the trend as a 'dangerous' and 'extreme' take on weight loss and health. 'Glorifying thinness as a marker of morality, health, or discipline is harmful to physical, emotional, and mental health,' she told Healthline. 'Dieting is a major risk factor for eating disorders, and the younger someone starts, the higher their risk. Because these videos often feature teenagers and young adults, they're especially concerning.' Van Eck noted the vilifying of essential macronutrients (in particular carbohydrates and fats) as another red flag. 'Our bodies need these nutrients,' she said. Lindsie Meek, founder of HumanMend, an eating disorder and anxiety psychotherapy practice in New York City, said the trend perpetuates harmful diet culture, celebrates extreme thinness, and promotes unrealistic body standards. 'The 'What I eat in a day' content is particularly harmful because it suggests all bodies have the same nutritional needs,' she told Healthline. 'These posts don't take into consideration individual body factors, such as genetics and health needs.' Risks of extreme calorie restriction Some influencers promoting this trend share very low calorie diets. Both experts agreed that extreme calorie restriction has mental and physical consequences. 'On 800 calories per day, it's virtually impossible to meet your body's nutrient needs,' Van Eck said. 'Deficiencies in iron, B12, and calcium are common, which can lead to fatigue, low mood, poor sleep, and muscle loss. Over time, undernourishment can cause immune dysfunction, hypothalamic amenorrhea (which causes infertility), and bone loss,' she noted. From a mental health perspective, Meek said dieting to the extreme could contribute to 'exaggerated or limited mood fluctuations and obsessive thoughts about food and body image.' Many of these videos frame weight loss and extreme thinness as the ultimate sign of health, a narrative that is dangerous and misleading. 'Weight is not a reliable indicator of health status,' said Meek. 'Health is multifaceted and cannot be determined by appearance alone. 'People in thin bodies may or may not be healthy, just as people in larger bodies may or may not be healthy,' she continued. Meek noted that true health isn't a body size; it encompasses physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Healthy weight loss vs. disordered eating Not all weight loss is bad. There are healthy, sustainable ways to reach a healthy weight, but with so much conflicting advice online, it can be difficult to know what's helpful and what's extreme. Van Eck agreed. 'The line between intentional weight loss and disordered eating can be blurry, especially online, where extreme behaviors are often framed as wellness and get rewarded with massive attention due to their polarizing nature,' she pointed out. For Van Eck, health-supportive behavior change feels like part of a broader self-care routine. 'It's flexible and rooted in nourishment, not fear or punishment,' she said. Disordered eating on the other hand, often shows up as rigid food rules, food guilt, and obsessive control. 'If someone feels anxious deviating from a plan, skips meals to earn food, or thinks about food and their body constantly, that's disordered, even if it's normalized online,' Van Eck said. If in doubt, Meek recommended assessing how the behaviors impact your daily life. 'If weight loss is the goal, it's important to consistently assess flexibility and anxiety levels when plans change, as disordered patterns are often rigid and distressing,' she said. 'Disordered eating also typically interferes with relationships, work, and life enjoyment, whereas balanced approaches enhance overall well-being.' Achieving a healthy weight Despite recent strides made by the body positivity movement, mainstream culture continues to conflate thinness with health. According to Van Eck, part of the issue may be tied to misconceptions about healthy body weight. 'Healthy weight is a term I often find problematic. The metrics we use, like BMI, are deeply flawed and don't account for natural, individual variation,' Van Eck said. 'If we define it more functionally, a healthy weight is the range your body naturally lands when you're eating enough, moving in ways that feel good, and not caught in the restrict-obsess-repeat cycle.' There are many sustainable, evidence-based ways to get into this healthy zone. 'If someone wants to support their health long term, the most sustainable approach is to focus on behavior, not the weight. 'That includes eating regular, balanced meals with enough energy, fiber, protein, and fat to support fullness and satisfaction,' she said. It also means honoring hunger cues, finding enjoyable movement, and addressing sleep, stress, and emotional health. Another way to support yourself is to ditch the idea that foods are inherently good or bad. 'Virtually everyone in our culture has been influenced to some extent by toxic diet culture. Healing involves rejecting food morality by challenging the idea that certain foods are good or bad,' said Meek. Diet trends like Skinny Tok can reinforce dangerous ideas around weight loss and health, but true wellness is multi-dimensional. 'Equating thinness with health ignores human complexity and reinforces weight stigma,' Van Eck said. manage stress, sleep, and connect with others, than it is in a size.'
