Has the world (wide web) officially gone mad? A 14-year-old TikToker has just shared her entire “anti-ageing skin care routine” and we have questions (and concerns). First and foremost, why?
Look, don’t get us wrong, we love seeing our youth educating themselves and stayin’ out of trouble. But surely we can all agree that the woes of our early teens should be reserved for schoolyard musings and not wrinkle-preventing actives, right?
That’s not to say that teens don’t require a basic skin care routine. However, the focus should be leaning toward developing proper cleansing habits, acne treatment (where required) and, of course, sun protection.
The TikTok video, which quickly garnered millions of views, appears to have since been deleted from the app.
But in case you missed it, here were some of the “things that I do to slow down the ageing process as a 14-year-old,” as demonstrated by the TikToker who says she began the regime two years prior (at the age of 12!?).
What does this 14-year-old’s anti-ageing skin care routine involve?
To begin, she said she takes two apple cider vinegar pills twice a day, uses retinol day and night, and applies a face mask twice a day.
The multi-step routine also includes using sunscreen, “three fingers worth” (can’t argue with that) and drinking “green tea with honey” in a bid to tackle inflammation.
The routine, which has a clear emphasis on SPF protection, also involves taping a piece of paper to her car window to block out UV rays when on long road trips. Hey, we might actually steal this technique…
What has the reaction of the public been?
Unsurprisingly, seeing young girls focussed on “slowing down the ageing process” has triggered concern among the public.
Many have since taken to Twitter, calling out the beauty industry and social media for setting unrealistic standards for the younger generations.
Image credit: @freyaindiaa, @ycsm1n and Insider
Main image credit: Getty
How does this anti-ageing routine make you feel?
I think it’s quite sad, there are so many other things to be focusing on at that age.
To each his own I guess althought anti aging is a bit much.
I agree – I’m glad I didn’t grow up with social media
same Miss19
Me 3 🙋🏻♀️
Me too, the social pressure would have been too much and to deal with being a teenager at the same time
I think she should refer to it as a skin care routine rather than an anti-ageing routine. Most of it sounds sensible, especially the sunscreen, although it is important to still get your vitamin D.
Nothing wrong with sunscreen routine but enjoy your youth. Be ity friends, study, party, learn who you are…more fun things as a teenager
That’s why I don’t do Tik Tok , so ridiculous and unrealistic. I bet she has plenty of followers which is really sad.
Social media is having a negative influence on these young girls thinking that they need to focus on “anti ageing”. This preoccupation with looks and beauty at that age is concerning
at that age people didn’t know if i was a boy or a girl. I had zero interest in anything “beauty”.
Hahaha this made me laugh out loud. Me too.
I agree with the other comments, skincare is good but anti-ageing is a bit much. Great she’s using sunscreen although I think the paper on the window is a bit of overkill, at first I thought she was the driver but then realised that at 14 she is a passenger!
Taping paper to her car window is a bit extreme in my opinion. Isn’t that what window tint is for?!
Get out of town! My child is this age, enjoy your lovely skin while you can. My only advice where sunscreen daily and wash it off at the end of the day.
Retinol at the age of 14 ? In her case, 12 . Ridiculous and a waste of money.
At the age of 13 and 14 I was breaking out with acne. I doubt retinol would have helped the situation. Most probably it would have aggravated it. I can understand why Tik Tok deleted her post from their app.
Can we please stop shaming a young girl for wanting to care about her skin early.
I don’t think that’s the problem Ethelinde, IMO what’s more alarming is her using retinol at an age where she doesn’t need it. (The face mask thing is also overkill, but you do you.)
I agree with taking care of your skin from an early age, and using sunscreen, but I think this young girl has gone overboard.
Sunscreen is the best preventative measure at her age, but it’s too soon for retinol.
They are so young! They have all the collagen in the world! Stick to Cetaphil!
LOL. 14 is way too young to care about ageing.
Exactly. I would think sun safety would be more important at that age.
love the taping of paper to the car window idea!
If it’s really anti ageing, what a genius
Too young for retinol in my opinion.
Seen way too many tiktoks of very young girls doing these massive Mecca hauls and find it such a waste of probably their parents money. But each to their own I guess.
I blame the overuse of filters targeting impressionable teens.
Totally Lucy 16 .They should be having fun with their friends and too busy to get involved in this.
This is so ridiculous. Anti-ageing routine at 14!
I totally agree. What a thing to be thinking about when you are 14!!
I hate that she was concerned with anti-aging but I mean taking care of your skin from a young age is great. Hopefully it is just her terminology not her actual mindset.
This is a problem and goes along with body obsession.
Sunscreen and a good moisturiser should do the trick at that age.