California bill targets ‘Sephora kids’ with skincare ban for children younger than 13

A proposed bill in California aims to prohibit the sale of certain anti-aging skincare products to children under 13 years old.

Introduced by Assemblymember Alex Lee, a Democrat from a district near San Jose, California bill AB 2491 passed the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on April 23. It is scheduled for an appropriations hearing on Thursday.

“Kids don’t need anti-aging products, and AB 2491 will protect children and preteens from potential harms that could lead to short- or long-term skin issues,” Lee stated in a news release.

However, the Personal Care Products Council, representing companies like Sephora and Ulta, argued that the bill would be “largely impossible” to enforce. They claim the bill would overregulate essential skincare products, including sunscreens, moisturizers, and cleansers. The council added that its member companies aim to educate tweens and preteens about age-appropriate products.

Sephora did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

At an April 23 hearing, Lee was joined by a 10-year-old girl who shared her negative experience with skincare products. The girl testified that she had used products with terms like “glow,” “hydrating,” and “anti-wrinkling,” which led to a painful skin rash requiring medication. She still suffers from bumps and redness, which affect her self-esteem.

“I wish I had known these products could harm me. If I did, I never would have used them,” she said.

The bill mandates that businesses take reasonable steps to ensure customers are at least 13 years old. This could involve signage, asking for customers’ birthdates, or checking IDs.

Experts have noted a rise in skincare popularity among young people, with many tweens following extensive skincare routines inspired by social media tutorials. Dermatologists have warned that products containing ingredients like retinol, commonly used for anti-aging, can make young skin more sensitive to environmental damage. Retinol is generally unnecessary for those under 20 unless prescribed by a medical professional for conditions like acne.

Instead, experts recommend sunscreen as a safe and effective anti-aging measure for children.