Influencer debuts new skincare for kids, and backlash ensues

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Experts say products could create unnecessary beauty standards

In November, influencer Shay Mitchell did something that got a lot of attention, and not all of it was good.

She launched a skin-care line for kids called Rini.

The first product? A sheet face mask.

While some loved the idea, many on the internet questioned whether the skin-care line would create unneeded beauty standards for kids, and whether skin care for kids was even necessary.

Turns out, there’s some truth to that.

CBC Kids News spoke to a dermatologist who said that although some skin care for kids is helpful, many products marketed toward kids aren’t needed.

A social media post from Shay Mitchell about her skincare line “Rini”

(Image credit: Shay Mitchell/Instagram)

Shay Mitchell says products are age-appropriate

Shay Mitchell, who is best known for her role on Pretty Little Liars and for Beis, a line of travel bags, stood by her line despite the backlash.

“I have a lot of questions, as I’m sure you both do, when anything that involves our kids, with what they eat, with what they put on their skin. I didn’t think this would be any different,” she said in an interview with Jenna & Friends.

“Skin care starts from birth. We moisturize, we soothe, we comfort their skin as newborns. This is the same thing, it’s just in a different format that’s more fun and, I feel, very age appropriate.”

A post that says: Please explain to me why literal toddlers need face masks and skin care and to be sitting in front of a makeup mirror looking at themselves? They should have playing and getting dirty and not caring what their skin looks like at that age. Sigh. This just seems so unnecessary.

(Image credit: Rini/Instagram)

What skin care do kids need, if any?

Dr. Cheryl Rosen is the head of dermatology at University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario.

She said that when it comes to skin care for kids, there are really only two products that are necessary.

“They basically need to wash their face with a gentle cleanser and wear sunscreen in the summer or when playing in the snow,” she told CBC Kids News.

She said there can sometimes be concerns with using products outside those essentials.

Some kids, for example, might be allergic to ingredients in a product or find it dries out their skin.

She said the hydrogel ingredient in one of Rini’s masks is an example of something that could be drying.

Kids don’t need skin care to be cool

Part of the criticism is that marketing skin care to kids might make them feel as though it’s something they need or something that they need to join in on in order to be cool.

Rosen said that isn’t the case, particularly for young kids.

She pointed to last year’s Sephora Kids trend as an example of children using unnecessary makeup and skin care.

“Kids do not need to look younger and preserve their skin at this point,” Rosen said.

“They don’t need to do anything. We do not need to tell them that there’s something they should do to look better.”

Rosen also called out Mitchell’s “after sun face mask” from the new line.

“All you need is sunscreen,” she said. “You don’t need a product like that. You just need to be careful in the sun. You are telling kids they need to do something to make their skin look or feel better. Kids have enough to do. It’s not necessary.”

Hannah Edwards, a 13-year-old from Cold Stream, British Columbia, agreed with Rosen.

She said she doesn’t spend a lot of time on skin care and thinks it’s especially unnecessary for kids younger than she is.

“When it comes to skin care for kids … for little kids it’s stupid. But for kids that actually need it or have a lot of acne, then it might be OK for them.”

So, what do you think?

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TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Rini/Getty Images

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