08/31/2026
UNPOPULAR OPINION:
That Sephora skincare haul might be damaging your kid’s skin barrier.
We love that younger generations are interested in taking care of their skin.
What we don’t love?
The idea that a 9, 10 or 12-year-old needs a shelf full of serums, acids, exfoliants and trending actives to have “good skin.”
Young skin has different needs, and more skincare does not equal better skincare.
Over-cleansing, over-exfoliating and layering ingredients their skin doesn’t need can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to:
• Dryness + irritation
• Redness + sensitivity
• Breakouts and congestion
• Burning or stinging
• A cycle of adding even more products to “fix” the problem
For most tweens and young teens, skincare should actually be pretty simple.
Gentle cleanser.
Moisturizer.
SPF.
Targeted acne care when appropriate.
Professional guidance when their skin needs more.
We love all the amazing makeup stores and the goods they sell! But, we want kids to understand that skincare should be chosen because their skin needs it, not because an algorithm told them they do.
At CFE, we’re helping our younger patients build healthy skin habits early, with age-appropriate products, treatments and professional guidance designed around their skin.
Use the link in bio or call 408-865-1777 to schedule a teen consultation and let us help educate on the RIGHT treatments and why.