Introduces an age limit on skin care

SMore and more children and young people are spending time, money and effort on partly advanced skin care. Experts warn about the phenomenon, which has also come to Norway.

Now Sweden’s largest pharmacy chain is taking action and introducing an age limit on a number of so-called advanced skin care products.

Can’t be bought

If you are 15 years of age or younger and live in Sweden, you will not be able to buy skin care products containing AHA, BHA, vitamin A and vitamin C at Apotek Hjärtat’s stores.

The age limit therefore applies to products that are anti-ageing and advanced skin care.

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In order to be able to buy these products, the customer must be at least 15 years old, have the approval of a guardian or have a skin condition that requires the use of precisely such products.

– We want to be at the forefront, and take greater responsibility for not helping to promote unhealthy behavior and ideals that have grown up among many young people, says Monika Magnusson, pharmacist and CEO of Apotek Hjärtat.

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The background for introducing an age limit is that the pharmacy chain is concerned about the growing trend of more and more children and young people using advanced skin care.

Annika Svedberg, chief pharmacist at Apotek Hjärtat, points out that it is important to have the right skin care for the right person.

– Which skin care you need is very individual depending on skin type and skin condition, not age. But using advanced skin care that, for example, aims to reduce wrinkles and achieve an even skin tone is not something a child needs. In cases where a child has a skin disease, for example atopic eczema, certain products can also contribute to worsening or reactivating the symptoms.

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She says it can be difficult for children to assess both the effect and potential consequences of advanced skin care.

– It is important to take a stand

The Swedish skincare brand Mantle is also now introducing an age limit on its online store.

If you want to shop here, you must be over 18 years of age.

– Eleven-year-olds using retinoids is just not okay, says founder and CEO of Mantle, Josefin Landgård in a press release from the brand.

– It feels important to take a stand on this phenomenon as I see it growing, continues Landgård, who believes that both brands and retailers must take responsibility.

– Age restriction is a clear and effective directive, continues the skincare entrepreneur.

Dermatologist: – May irritate the skin

Dermatologist Michael Zangani thinks the pharmacy chain’s measures are positive.

– Although of course you can get hold of these products from many other places.

– It is not the pharmacy that is the source for this age group, but it is good to focus on it and it will hopefully start a larger movement in society.

The dermatologist is skeptical that children should use skin care.

– The best skin is precisely when you are a child. And why on earth should a 12-year-old think about preventing wrinkles?

He believes that the ingredients for which an age limit is now being introduced in Sweden should not be used on children’s skin without further ado.

– They will be able to irritate the skin, trigger eczema and allergies, continues the dermatologist.

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– But it is important to point out that we are talking about normal skin. There are a number of teenagers who may have skin problems such as acne and then it is important to take it seriously, he says.

Zangani believes the source of the problem, however, is social media and influencers.

– If you are going to do something about this, you should also look at the source of the problem itself.