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Several companies have introduced age limits on advanced skin care after use increases among children. Archive image.
1 / 2Photo: Christine Olsson/TT
After a high-profile debate about increased use of advanced skin care among children, several companies have introduced age limits.
– It can send an important signal – but is not the whole solution, says Elmira Tavoosi at the Medical Products Agency.
It would not be possible to introduce a general age limit for advanced skin care due to the way the current regulations around cosmetics are designed in the EU. But it may not be necessary either, says Elmira Tavoosi, senior investigator at the Medical Products Agency.
– This is a problem, a social trend, with many different underlying factors. The solution probably does not lie solely in the introduction of an age limit, she says.
Advice: Use sunscreen
Not least, parents need to talk to their children about skin care and the consequences of using certain products. In addition, Elmira Tavoosi believes, the trend is probably based to some extent on the beauty ideals that exist today – and which are driven by social media.
– We can help answer questions based on the design of the regulations, but the social problems that have arisen probably need to be tackled in different ways, she says.
The Swedish Medicines Agency’s recommendation is that children should primarily use products that are aimed specifically at children. Often these are milder products that focus on hydration.
– They are often fragrance-free and formulated to be suitable for children. We also recommend using sunscreen as a supplement to the primary sun protection, says Elmira Tavoosi.
Risks vary
What risks children are actually exposed to when using advanced skin care is hard to say. It depends on the type of substances you use and how often, says Elmira Tavoosi.
– If we look at the risk of developing a contact allergy, we know that the earlier and the more often you are exposed, the more the risk increases. The other risks or lack of risks depend entirely on the type and content of substances.
FACTS The companies that introduced age limits
After an attention-seeking debate about increased use of advanced skin care among children, something that, according to dermatologists, can entail risks, several companies have introduced age limits.
Among other things, Apotek Hjärtat has introduced a 15-year limit for advanced skin care products. This applies, among other things, to products with retinol, various acids and enzyme and mechanical peelings.
The beauty company Mantle has introduced an 18-year age limit in its e-commerce on all products, and recommends its retailers to do the same.
The skin care company Aco does not sell directly to consumers and therefore cannot impose an age limit, but they have given their retailers an age recommendation of 15 years for advanced skin care products.
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