Image by Silvia from Pixabay

July 12, 2024 - Anti-aging products can be harmful to children’s health, potentially damaging their sensitive skin. Even so, the skincare and beauty industry has failed to take meaningful action in preventing kids from purchasing anti-aging products. In response, Assemblymember Alex Lee is leading an effort in calling for the industry to address the issue. 

Nearly two months ago, 20 California state legislators sent a letter to the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the national trade association representing the beauty and skincare industry. The legislators urged the council to curb the alarming trend of kids buying anti-aging skincare. While the industry has previously acknowledged that they “do not support children using anti-aging products,” PCPC has yet to respond to the letter from state legislators as of July 10, 2024.

The letter is part of Assemblymember Lee’s broader effort to protect children from the risks of anti-aging products. This year, he introduced legislation to ban the sale of anti-aging products that contain powerful active ingredients like retinol and alpha hydroxy acids to kids under the age of 13. 

“Anti-aging products offer no benefits to kids,” said Assemblymember Lee. “Without knowledge of the potential consequences, children are influenced by social media to use anti-aging products that aren’t suitable for their skincare needs. The multi-billion dollar beauty industry in the U.S. is profiting off of kids who are buying and using these products. If they’re serious about protecting the health and safety of our youth, the industry should take concrete actions to safeguard kids from the unnecessary risks of anti-aging products.”

Additional references: 

Assemblymember Lee’s explainers on AB 2491 and the harms of anti-aging products

Press coverage of the trend of kids using anti-aging products 
Source: Assemblymember Alex Lee