Pau Bartoli’s Post

Really interesting article by TheIndustry.fashion & TheIndustry.beauty on the TikTok campaign Dove has launched to educate the younger generation on anti ageing skincare. It is great seeing big brands like Unilever tackling the growing use of anti ageing products in Generation Alpha, but from the research we have been doing at The Mix Global, we have found there is more to it than just the media focused headlines around "Tweens using retinol" #skincare #generationalpha #marketresearch #beauty

It could be beautiful that children are finding joy in personal hygiene, taking care of one's skin via products like sunscreen, & the science behind beauty as a vehicle for fostering interest in STEM, but it has gotten out of hand with the $300 multi-step skincare routines including powerful chemicals like retinol. Maybe a fun clean beauty face mask could be a rare sleepover treat or parent-child bonding moment, as an acceptable first entry into skincare, but what is appropriate needs to be set and enforced by parents. I think it is particularly an interesting point in time because it seems now more than ever aesthetic preferences are converging across generations, from alpha through gen z to millennial, all have a similar preference for how products are branded. The Consumer Aesthetics Research Institute details the aesthetic 'Curly Girly' which was a popular preteen aesthetic from the 90s to the mid 2000s, where you could think of references like Bratz, Barbie, or squiggly & flowery motives. What does it mean to be a pre-teen girl today, what consumer aesthetic replaced this? Do girls watch Euphoria now instead of something like Lizzie McGuire? People who build brands have a huge impact on culture, and when brands (and therefore culture) neglect(s) girlhood, girls turn to the retinol skincare routines. No space really exists right now for girls to be girls, and society, despite the progress that has been made since I was a child, still constrains rather than creates open spaces of free expression.

I recently came across an article by Jo Allen discussing #genalpha, and it's refreshing to see the conversation shifting towards the youngest generation. While the industry, especially in Germany, tends to focus on the 45+ demographic—understandably due to their purchasing power and familiarity with traditional marketing strategies—the emergence of a new generation of skincare users is happening faster than anticipated. Based on our data, more than 70% of our young users perceive their skin as "Bad" or "Mehh," yet in many discussions with corporates, I find it puzzling why this information isn't receiving more attention. While Gen Z may still dominate the beauty market on #tiktok, it's Gen Alpha that has been gaining attention in recent months. Reports of 10-year-olds following multi-step skincare routines and controversies like the 'Sephora kids controversy' highlight Gen Alpha's intense interest in skincare. Despite the astonishment surrounding their passion for beauty brands, it's not surprising given their constant access to information and influence. This generation is growing up faster than previous ones, learning not only from brands but also from influencers, customer reviews, and experts. With their access to information and their inclination to learn from various sources, it's essential to pay attention to their preferences and behaviors in the skincare industry.

While tweens might be obsessed with skincare, I believe it’s us who are obsessed with anti-aging. On the heels of the outrage surrounding Sephora kids, videos about Gen Z “aging like milk” began to go viral… I can't help but ponder the irony. On one side, there is discourse berating tweens for even thinking about anti-aging, but on the other, videos have gone viral shaming Gen Z for (allegedly) aging too fast — comparing them to milk. While I believe tweens' interest in skincare transcends anti-aging (as shared in the article), it seems that it might be the adults who are overly fixated and anxious about the inevitability of looking older. 🪞 Perhaps it’s time again that we critically examine this cyclical discourse around 'anti-aging' and the seemingly impenetrable criteria of what it takes to have 'great skin'. https://lnkd.in/e54Xu-xJ

A lot of the debate about tweens and teens’ growing obsession with skincare products has focused on what parents should be doing and what retailers such as Sephora and Ulta shouldn’t be doing. But there hasn’t been as much focus on the companies that are making, marketing and selling these products. So I took a look at how brands are navigating the surge in demand for skin care from kids as young as eight and nine years old.  One brand, Bubble Skincare, told its under-14 fans not to buy its exfoliating serum because it’s too harsh for their skin. Another brand, Drunk Elephant, published a list of its products that are safe for kids, some of which cost as much as $60. “NONE of this is appropriate for children,” one online commenter. Pushback like that has made big companies like The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and L'Oréal wary. So they’ve responded with a kind of anti-marketing. Brands owned by both companies have talked about how teens don’t need multi-step skincare routines. Some people have applauded that response. But by showcasing they’re not marketing to children, the brands are - by extension – appealing to parents. They’re the ones, after all, who are buying kids most of these products. Another reason big cosmetics companies are wary about selling directly to young people? They know there are stricter standards to market to people under 13 in the US. Some smaller brands don’t seem as well versed in federal standards. And to set the record straight: Dermatologists say that most tweens and teens only need a cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. They don’t need to use 10 products. And neither do adults, by the way. We just need face wash, a morning and evening treatment to prevent or correct any damage, moisturizer and, most importantly, sunscreen. Check out our video, too: https://lnkd.in/eeTSM6c9 Thanks for the insights Shai Eisenman, Oshiya Savur, Ivy Lee, Laura Brett, Dona J. Fraser, Jacqueline Flam Stokes and Diana Melencio.

The resurgence of teen-focused brands like indu marks a significant shift in the beauty and fashion industries—a welcome change from the past decade's oversight of the adolescent demographic. Reflecting on the disappearance of teen-centric stores like Limited Too and Wet Seal, this moment feels like a renaissance of sorts, acknowledging teens not just as consumers but as co-creators of their beauty narratives. This pivot raises intriguing questions: How will this influence teen self-esteem and identity? Can the industry sustain this inclusivity and continue to innovate for young consumers? How do we foster a healthy dialogue around teen beauty and fashion? Let's discuss how we can support this positive shift towards inclusivity and understanding, shaping an industry that celebrates and caters to all ages. #TeenBeauty #InclusiveBeauty #FashionRenaissance #BeautyIndustry #YouthEmpowerment #BrandInnovation #SocialMediaInfluence #ConsumerTrends #EmpoweringTeens

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 In recent times, the allure of skincare and the quest for a flawless complexion has taken social media by storm, with platforms like TikTok influencing trends at an unprecedented rate. However, a growing concern among dermatology experts is the impact of these trends on our youngest generation. The British Association for Dermatologists has raised an important flag regarding the suitability of certain skincare products being marketed to children. With a surge in the promotion of anti-ageing and other skincare products aimed at achieving youthful skin, it's crucial to recognise that these products may not be appropriate for young, developing skin. Many of these products contain potent ingredients designed to combat signs of ageing, ingredients that can be harsh and potentially harmful to the delicate skin of children. The dermatological community warns that the misuse of such products at an early age could lead to a host of skin issues, disrupting the natural balance and health of young skin. As parents and guardians, it's essential to guide our children in understanding the importance of skincare while ensuring the products they use are safe, gentle, and age-appropriate. Encouraging a simple skincare routine that focuses on cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting the skin from the sun is a foundational step in promoting long-term skin health. Before introducing any new skincare products to your child's routine, consider consulting with a dermatologist to ensure they are suitable and safe for their skin type and age. #ChildSkincareSafety #DermatologyAwareness #HealthySkinStartsYoung https://lnkd.in/e_QcuuTk

#Skincare Insights

Skincare for kids is making headlines and I just couldn’t keep quiet! As a mum of a 7 year old girl and the founder of a skincare brand that was created for gen z & alpha, it’s something i’m super passionate about. Skincare should be about creating healthy habits practicing selfcare and doing good for your skin. So, here’s our take on the headlines, and what Glow Hub will be doing to help you navigate skincare in a way that’s fun and effective! £60 on a moisturiser for a 10-year-old? Retinols on sensitive already baby soft skin? A 7-year-old using an anti-aging eye cream? Has the (skincare) world gone mad?! Maybe… Glow Hub is ALL about everyone of all ages loving & being educated on skincare (obviously), creating healthy selfcare & skincare habits is amazing! BUT we’re really focusing on one word here – EDUCATION & there’s a whole lot of misinformation being spread right now. Kids don’t need to spend a crazy amount of money on harsh made-for-adults, anti-aging products in the search for perfect skin. Because guess what… perfect skin doesn’t exist! And in fact, all those active (not made for kids) ingredients are likely causing more harm than good! SO, if you / your kids are drunk on the hype BUT you a. don’t have the budget or b. actually want to use products that have been created for young skin, you might want to take a look at glow hub instead… We’re made for young skin - vegan, cruelty free, made in the UK & dermatologically tested. We’re honest & educational.  From our easy-to-understand packaging to our messaging, we want to teach you about skincare & help you get the perfect routine for you. Come join one of our weekly TikTok lives, our expert team will give you bespoke recommendations made for you we’re affordable – ranging from £8 - £14 We’re inclusive - we want to give gen z & alpha a platform to amplify their voice & create a community that represents them. AND coming soon, we’ll be launching a NEW educational skincare hub. A one stop spot for everything kids / tweens/ teens & their parents, sharing all you need to know about skincare. #beautytrends #skincare #tiktok #beautyindustry #glowhub #skincareforkids

As the first US line of clean beauty for tweens (GOOD FOR YOU GIRLS) since 2008 it is always disheartening to be excluded from coverage like this. We were dedicated to tweens before it was hip and cool and there were no safe or age appropriate options for them. The reality, I guess, is that small DTC brands like Good For You Girls are invisible to the media. That never used to be the case. In any event, I do like the coverage about ingredients that are not good for young skin but it really goes beyond just "anti-aging" ingredients. For us it's also about ingredients that have been shown to mimic estrogen in the body that should be avoided during puberty. We do like the articles attention on "influence" and "social media" having detrimental effects on young girls. We continue to focus on educated parents who want the safest products and play an active roll in their child's wellbeing who understand that they are their daughter's true "influencer".