Latest news with #social media influencers
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Are Beauty Supplements Safe for Teens? Experts Break Down the Facts
Medically reviewed by Candice W. Jones, MD FAAP Once upon a time, teen beauty routines were all about sparkly lip gloss, butterfly clips, and the occasional peel-off mask—but beauty supplements? Not exactly on the radar. Today, it's not uncommon to see teens reaching for gummies, powders, and vitamins that promise clearer skin, stronger hair, or glowier everything. With TikTok trends and social media influencers advertising beauty supplements to image-conscious teens, many parents are left wondering if these products are safe, effective, or even necessary. We talked to experts to find out whether the most popular beauty supplements are safe for teens, the risks and potential benefits, smart alternatives, and how to navigate conversations around body image—plus when it might be time to consult a health care provider. What Are Beauty Supplements? A quick search for 'beauty supplements' on TikTok reveals that people of all ages are thanking various gummies, powders, and capsules for their flawless skin or glossy hair. So what are they, exactly? 'Usually, [beauty supplements] are oral products marketed to enhance the appearance of skin, hair, and nails,' explains Joel Schlessinger, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon and founder of the Schlessinger MD Skin Research Center. 'They typically contain a mix of vitamins like biotin, vitamin C, and vitamin E, along with collagen peptides, zinc, and various botanical extracts such as horsetail or bamboo silica,' he explains. 'Some contain vitamin A derivatives, which require careful attention to dosing.' Unlike prescription drugs, which must be proven safe and effective before they hit the market, beauty supplements (classified as dietary supplements) don't need FDA approval before being sold to consumers. How Safe Are Beauty Supplements for Teens? Beauty supplements are generally safe when taken as directed, but typically aren't necessary for healthy teenagers, says Daniel Schlessinger, MD, a fellow board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Schlessinger MD Skin Research Center. 'It really depends on what is in the supplement and whether you are getting that from your diet or other multivitamins,' he says. Registered dietitian Elisabetta Politi, CDCES, MPH, RD, notes that research studies have yielded mixed results on the effectiveness of supplements, and they are not a substitute for a healthy diet. 'If a teen insists on taking them, I recommend choosing a product with the USP mark on the label (United States Pharmacopeia, indicative of a safe and reliable product) and not to exceed the recommended daily dose,' she says. It is especially important to monitor vitamin A intake due to its potential for toxicity, advises Dr. Schlessinger. 'Excessive intake can lead to a variety of health issues depending on the dose,' he says. Politi notes that excessive vitamin A intake is associated with decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures, and the recommended daily maximum dosage is 900 mcg. However, the biggest challenge for beauty supplements is the lack of safety monitoring, says Dr. Schlessinger. 'They are simply not regulated, so the consumer is taking the word of the manufacturer that they contain safe ingredients.' Helpful (and Safe) Supplements for Teens For healthy teens, most beauty supplements probably aren't necessary (and may not do much at all). That said, there are a few instances when teens may benefit from targeted ingredients found in supplements. 'For acne, vitamin A-containing supplements like Jane Iredale Accumax do help,' says Dr. Schlessinger. He also recommends a Heliocare Antioxidant Supplement for sun sensitivity. '[It's] an antioxidant that helps protect against burning in the sun by reducing free radicals. It is also all-natural,' he explains. Still, oral supplements shouldn't be the first line of defense. 'I always tell parents to focus on what we know works—proven topical treatments,' says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. For skin, he recommends dermatologist-developed products that contain active ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid. For hair or nail issues, he points to clinically studied options like Viviscal and Dermanail. Politi adds that supplements may also provide benefits if they address problems such as low vitamin D levels or iron deficiency. Everyday Habits That Support Skin, Hair, and Nail Health Luckily, there are plenty of simple ways teens can support the overall glow they're looking for, and it starts with daily habits. 'I emphasize avoiding damaging behaviors,' says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. 'No picking at skin or popping pimples, avoiding overly tight hairstyles, and leaving cuticles alone.' Nutrition also plays a big role. Politi recommends staying well-hydrated and eating a well-balanced diet rich in lean protein, healthy fats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress can also make a big difference. Here are a few more ways teens can support their beauty goals without supplements: For Healthy Hair: Keep ponytails and braids loose; use soft or covered hair ties. Limit heat styling and harsh chemical treatments. Rinse and condition after swimming to remove pool chemicals. Wear a wide-brimmed hat in the sun to protect your hair and scalp. For Healthy Nails: Keep nails clean and dry to prevent bacteria and fungus. Cut nails straight across and round the edges slightly. Don't bite nails or pick at cuticles. Avoid using nails as tools (like opening cans). Trim toenails regularly to avoid injury or ingrown nails. Don't try to dig out ingrown toenails (see a doctor if needed). For Healthy Skin: Apply sunscreen every day before going outside. Avoid smoking, as it speeds up how quickly your skin ages. Use self-tanners instead of tanning outside or using a tanning bed. Wash your face in the morning, before bed, and after sweating. How to Talk to Your Teen About Body Image It's completely normal for teens to feel self-conscious about how they look, especially as their bodies change and they're exposed to highly unrealistic beauty standards on social media. If your teen is concerned about their appearance, what matters most is creating an open and judgment-free space for them to ask questions and express their feelings, and Dr. Joel Schlessinger's advice focuses on just that: 'I tell parents to validate their teens' concerns about appearance—these feelings are real and important to them. Rather than dismissing their interest, I suggest redirecting to focus on a quality multivitamin instead, or [safe] supplements. Focus the conversation on establishing good skincare routines and healthy habits rather than criticizing their interest in beauty products.' Here are a few more tips for helping your teen navigate negative feelings about their body: Encourage them to find things they like about their body—and to point out at least two of them every time they look in the mirror. Help them focus on the incredible things their body can do, whether it's playing a sport, dancing, swimming, or everyday movements like running, climbing, and walking. Remind them to speak to themselves as they would to a friend: kindly, respectfully, and encouragingly. Most importantly, help your teen understand that what they see on social media doesn't always reflect reality, especially when it comes to beauty advice. Dr. Daniel Schlessinger explains, 'Much of the demand [for beauty supplements] has been artificially created through influencer marketing, which is biased and based on paid endorsements and unrealistic beauty standards, not medical science.' The bottom line? If a product seems too good to be true, it probably is. As Dr. Joel Schlessinger points out, 'Beauty supplements are often invented products with claims that are absolutely not tested or even realistic.' When to Contact a Health Care Provider If your teen is experiencing persistent hair, skin, or nail issues, such as acne, rashes, or hair loss, it's best to consult a medical professional for evaluation. For acne in particular, Dr. Daniel Schlessinger's advice is simple: 'There is no benefit in waiting it out. Early intervention prevents acne scarring, which can be permanent. If over-the-counter acne treatments aren't showing improvement after six to eight weeks, it's time to see a dermatologist.' For some teens, physical issues are not the only concern—it's their mental health that struggles. Body-image issues can increase vulnerability to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. If your teen is showing increased stress, withdrawing from social activities, or resorting to risky behavior in an attempt to improve their appearance, it's important to contact a mental health professional. Read the original article on Parents
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Adults in the UK: tell us about your nostalgic toy purchases
Adults interested in nostalgic toys such as Pokémon trading cards are behind a rise in UK toy sales, data shows. 'Kidults,' or buyers aged 12 and over, are often linked to the fortunes of the UK toy industry, however it's over-18s who appear to have driven the increase in sales in the first half of 2025. Market research company Circana said games and puzzles, including Pokémon cards, are enjoying a fresh wave of popularity among nostalgic adults, helped by social media influencers brandishing their rare finds. We'd like to hear from adults in the UK about their nostalgic toy purchases. What have you bought and why do you think they are so popular among adults? How much, on average, do you spend a month, and what is your most expensive purchase? You can tell us about the toys you have bought by filling in the form below, or messaging us. Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. Contact us on WhatsApp at +447766780300. For more information, please see our guidance on contacting us via WhatsApp. For true anonymity please use our SecureDrop service instead. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Palestinian reporters killed, international reporters banned – Israel's other Gaza war is over narrative
Israel is running two Gaza campaigns: one for military control of the strip; another for narrative control of how the world understands what happens there. In theory, Palestinian journalists and social media influencers documenting starvation, mass killing and other Israeli war crimes in Gaza are protected civilians under international law. But those paper protections have meant little on the ground in Gaza, by far the most dangerous place in the world to be a reporter, where more than 180 Palestinian journalists were killed in 22 months of war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Even though it is illegal to target journalists, the CPJ said that over the same period 26 reporters were victims of targeted killings, which it described as murders. The most recent was the 28-year-old Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, killed on Sunday in his makeshift newsroom outside a hospital, along with four colleagues. Press freedom groups and journalists say those killings are part of a campaign of intimidation to shut down vital reporting, which Israel has justified internationally with smears and false claims that the targets were undercover Hamas fighters. With international reporters barred from independent reporting in Gaza – a handful have been allowed in under Israeli military escort, but they are not allowed to move freely or speak to Palestinians – the work done by journalists in Gaza is critical. Coverage of the war in Gaza is constrained by Israeli attacks on Palestinian journalists and a bar on international reporters entering the Gaza Strip to report independently on the war. Israel has not allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza since 7 October 2023, unless they are under Israeli military escort. Reporters who join these trips have no control over where they go, and other restrictions include a bar on speaking to Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinian journalists and media workers inside Gaza have paid a heavy price for their work reporting on the war, with over 180 killed since the conflict began. The committee to protect journalists has determined that at least 19 of them 'were directly targeted by Israeli forces in killings which CPJ classifies as murders'. Foreign reporters based in Israel filed a legal petition seeking access to Gaza, but it was rejected by the supreme court on security grounds. Private lobbying by diplomats and public appeals by prominent journalists and media outlets have been ignored by the Israeli government. To ensure accurate reporting from Gaza given these restrictions, the Guardian works with trusted journalists on the ground; our visual teams verify photo and videos from third parties; and we use clearly sourced data from organisations that have a track record of providing accurate information in Gaza during past conflicts, or during other conflicts or humanitarian crises. Emma Graham-Harrison, chief Middle East correspondent 'I have no doubt that the prevention of international access, the killings of journalists, the targeting of media facilities, the punishment of [Israeli] outlets like Haaretz is part of a deliberate strategy on the part of Israel to conceal what is happening inside Gaza,' said the CPJ chief executive, Jodie Ginsberg. She pointed to a recent incident when a BBC crew reported from a Jordanian military plane dropping humanitarian aid into Gaza – but was barred by Israel from filming the devastation below. 'We had the example of the international news crews being allowed to film the airdrops but not the devastation when the doors opened.' In July, Sharif, one of the most prominent journalists still working in Gaza, went viral on social media when he broke down on air covering starvation. Passersby urged him to keep going because he gave Gaza a voice. Soon after, an Israeli military spokesperson revived allegations – first aired in 2024 – that he was a militant, including accusing him of faking mass hunger in a 'false Hamas campaign on starvation'. The CPJ issued a stark warning that those Israeli claims were a death threat. 'These latest unfounded accusations represent an effort to manufacture consent to kill Sharif,' CPJ regional director Sara Qudah said at the time. 'This is not the first time Sharif has been targeted by the Israeli military, but the danger to his life is now acute.' Sharif had also anticipated his own death and described it as retaliation for his reporting in a statement released on social media. 'If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice,' he wrote. Israel has published a dossier of documents it says were recovered from Gaza and link Sharif to Hamas. They end in 2021, two years before the war began, and do not even attempt to address his regular appearances live on camera. A role as one of the most prominent journalists in one of the most closely surveilled places on Earth would be strikingly difficult to combine with command of a Hamas unit during an all-out war. Documents Israel published after killing another Al Jazeera journalist last year claimed Ismail al-Ghoul was given a military rank when he was 10 years old. While they marshalled contradictory and unconvincing evidence, the existence of those files reflected Israeli concerns about pressure from western allies, and the need for at least the appearance of compliance with international law. Despite international pressure, Israel has not offered any explanation for the deaths of Sharif's four colleagues, protected civilians killed in their workplace. Ginsberg said she feared that was a warning that already unimaginable risks had escalated further. 'What's astonishing to me is they've not even attempted to justify the other killings,' she said. 'So they're admitting to murdering those journalists, knowing they were journalists. 'I think this is deliberately intended to have a chilling effect to show that Israel can do what it likes, and nobody will take any action. 'If we are now at a stage where Israel can so brazenly target an entire news crew, what does that mean for the safety of any of the other journalists who are operating there. Who is next?' French historian Jean-Pierre Filiu, given rare permission to enter Gaza for academic research during the conflict, said a month researching there had also convinced him that Israel is trying to silence reporting from Gaza. 'Now I understand why Israel is denying the international press access to such an appalling scene,' he said in an interview with Haaretz after the trip. 'Even though I have been in a number of war zones in the past, from Ukraine to Afghanistan, via Syria, Iraq and Somalia, I have never, but never, experienced anything like this.'
The Guardian
11-08-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Palestinian reporters killed and foreigners barred in Israel's battle for Gaza narrative
Israel is running two Gaza campaigns: one for military control of the strip; another for narrative control of how the world understands what happens there. In theory, Palestinian journalists and social media influencers documenting starvation, mass killing and other Israeli war crimes in Gaza are protected civilians under international law. But those paper protections have meant little on the ground in Gaza, by far the most dangerous place in the world to be a reporter, where more than 180 Palestinian journalists were killed in 22 months of war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Even though it is illegal to target journalists, the CPJ said that over the same period 26 reporters were victims of targeted killings, which it described as murders. The most recent was the 28-year-old Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, killed on Sunday in his makeshift newsroom outside a hospital, along with four colleagues. Press freedom groups and journalists say those killings are part of a campaign of intimidation to shut down vital reporting, which Israel has justified internationally with smears and false claims that the targets were undercover Hamas fighters. With international reporters barred from independent reporting in Gaza – a handful have been allowed in under Israeli military escort, but they are not allowed to move freely or speak to Palestinians – the work done by journalists in Gaza is critical. Coverage of the war in Gaza is constrained by Israeli attacks on Palestinian journalists and a bar on international reporters entering the Gaza Strip to report independently on the war. Israel has not allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza since 7 October 2023, unless they are under Israeli military escort. Reporters who join these trips have no control over where they go, and other restrictions include a bar on speaking to Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinian journalists and media workers inside Gaza have paid a heavy price for their work reporting on the war, with over 180 killed since the conflict began. The committee to protect journalists has determined that at least 19 of them 'were directly targeted by Israeli forces in killings which CPJ classifies as murders'. Foreign reporters based in Israel filed a legal petition seeking access to Gaza, but it was rejected by the supreme court on security grounds. Private lobbying by diplomats and public appeals by prominent journalists and media outlets have been ignored by the Israeli government. To ensure accurate reporting from Gaza given these restrictions, the Guardian works with trusted journalists on the ground; our visual teams verify photo and videos from third parties; and we use clearly sourced data from organisations that have a track record of providing accurate information in Gaza during past conflicts, or during other conflicts or humanitarian crises. Emma Graham-Harrison, chief Middle East correspondent 'I have no doubt that the prevention of international access, the killings of journalists, the targeting of media facilities, the punishment of [Israeli] outlets like Haaretz is part of a deliberate strategy on the part of Israel to conceal what is happening inside Gaza,' said the CPJ chief executive, Jodie Ginsberg. She pointed to a recent incident when a BBC crew reported from a Jordanian military plane dropping humanitarian aid into Gaza – but was barred by Israel from filming the devastation below. 'We had the example of the international news crews being allowed to film the airdrops but not the devastation when the doors opened.' In July, al-Sharif, one of the most prominent journalists still working in Gaza, went viral on social media when he broke down on air covering starvation. Passersby urged him to keep going because he gave Gaza a voice. Soon after, an Israeli military spokesperson revived allegations – first aired in 2024 – that he was a militant, including accusing him of faking mass hunger in a 'false Hamas campaign on starvation'. The CPJ issued a stark warning that those Israeli claims were a death threat. 'These latest unfounded accusations represent an effort to manufacture consent to kill al-Sharif,' CPJ regional director Sara Qudah said at the time. 'This is not the first time al-Sharif has been targeted by the Israeli military, but the danger to his life is now acute.' Al-Sharif had also anticipated his own death and described it as retaliation for his reporting in a statement released on social media. 'If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice,' he wrote. Israel has published a dossier of documents it says were recovered from Gaza and link al-Sharif to Hamas. They end in 2021, two years before the war began, and do not even attempt to address his regular appearances live on camera. A role as one of the most prominent journalists in one of the most closely surveilled places on Earth would be strikingly difficult to combine with command of a Hamas unit during an all-out war. Documents Israel published after killing another Al Jazeera journalist last year claimed Ismail al-Ghoul was given a military rank when he was 10 years old. While they marshalled contradictory and unconvincing evidence, the existence of those files reflected Israeli concerns about pressure from western allies, and the need for at least the appearance of compliance with international law. Despite international pressure, Israel has not offered any explanation for the deaths of al-Sharif's four colleagues, protected civilians killed in their workplace. Ginsberg said she feared that was a warning that already unimaginable risks had escalated further. 'What's astonishing to me is they've not even attempted to justify the other killings,' she said. 'So they're admitting to murdering those journalists, knowing they were journalists. 'I think this is deliberately intended to have a chilling effect to show that Israel can do what it likes, and nobody will take any action. 'If we are now at a stage where Israel can so brazenly target an entire news crew, what does that mean for the safety of any of the other journalists who are operating there. Who is next?' French historian Jean-Pierre Filiu, given rare permission to enter Gaza for academic research during the conflict, said a month researching there had also convinced him that Israel is trying to silence reporting from Gaza. 'Now I understand why Israel is denying the international press access to such an appalling scene,' he said in an interview with Haaretz after the trip. 'Even though I have been in a number of war zones in the past, from Ukraine to Afghanistan, via Syria, Iraq and Somalia, I have never, but never, experienced anything like this.'
