Do you think using anti-aging skin care products is a problem among young people? Does more need to be done to address it?
In “California Bill Seeks Age Minimum on Anti-Aging Skin Care Products,” Jordyn Holman and Madison Malone Kircher write about a proposed law that would make it illegal for companies to sell over-the-counter anti-aging products to shoppers under 18 years old:
In February of last year, as videos of tweens racing to Sephora for beautifully packaged creams and serums that contained anti-aging chemicals flooded TikTok, a legislator in California tried to end that trend by introducing a bill that would stop stores from selling those products to them. It failed.
Now, even though the chatter around tweens using these products has quieted down, the same legislator has reintroduced the bill, with a few tweaks.
The assembly bill, which will receive a formal name on Tuesday, would make it illegal for companies to sell over-the-counter anti-aging products to shoppers under 18 years old. It would cover products with ingredients like vitamin A and its derivatives, including retinoids and retinol. It would also cover cosmetic products that have alpha hydroxy acids, including glycolic acid, ascorbic acid and citric acid.
Toral Vaidya, a dermatologist in New York City, said she regularly sees young patients seeking “products that are geared toward anti-aging or exfoliating,” many of which contain ingredients listed in the bill.
“These are products that can be great for a different age range,” Dr. Vaidya said. “But for younger kids, they actually can wreak havoc on their skin.” She said the products, when used on juvenile skin, could cause redness, itching and irritation.
If passed, the law in California would require stores to verify the buyer’s age and identity through methods such as checking a driver’s license or state-issued ID.
Students, read the entire article and then tell us:
What is your reaction to the proposed bill in California? Does there need to be an age minimum for purchasing anti-aging skin care products? Would such a ban work?
In general, should the government impede young people’s ability to purchase certain products? Can you think of other examples for which the government already does so? How do skin care products compare with those examples?
Do you ever feel pressure to look a certain way? Do you have a fear of aging, getting wrinkles or looking older? If so, where do you think that fear comes from? What role, if any, does social media play?
Do girls, boys and nonbinary students face different pressures when it comes to appearance? Why do you think that is?
If you think tweens and teens using anti-aging products is a problem, what ideas do you have for addressing it? What role could parents, doctors, teachers or peers have in the conversation about this issue?
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.
