Which skin care products should young girls use? Dermatologists recommend this simple routine

Girls are bombarded on social media with advice from influencers touting elaborate skin care routines with high-priced serums, mists and creams. But what is the right skin care routine for preteens?

Simple is best, dermatologists say. Before puberty hits, most kids only need three things: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and sunscreen.

“That’s it. Full stop. You don’t need anything else,” says Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness, a Minneapolis-based dermatologist.

She and other dermatologists around the U.S. have seen growing numbers of teen and preteen girls using anti-aging skin care products. In some cases, the adult-strength products have damaged young girls' skin. And the obsession with achieving the looks they see online has raised concern about the impact on their mental health.