A recently introduced bill in California is calling for skincare products labeled as “anti-aging” to be illegal to purchase by minors.
Democratic assembly member Alex Lee of San José introduced this bill, targeting products formulated with active ingredients such as vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin A — including retinol and retinoids.
These ingredients are frequently used to address or prevent wrinkles, fine lines and other aging concerns. In consequence of this, stores would be required to check the ID of the customer buying any related products before purchase.
This bill has been proposed in response to the younger generation’s spike in interest in skincare and anti-aging products across social media. An inestimable amount of influencers and users promote these commodities and express their interest in botox as well as the weight-loss drug Ozempic across nearly every platform.
As a result of this, preteens and children who have access to this media are unintentionally being propagandized into wanting to look younger or to fit into society’s ever-changing beauty standards. Furthermore, the ingredients within these containers are harmful to adolescents — causing skin irritation, acne and hormone disruption, among other issues.
Although restrictive, Lee’s bill is necessary and provides context as to how large of an issue this matter is. Children, whose minds are still developing and vulnerable, having access to skincare and anti-aging products proves harmful both mentally and physically.
The beauty industry constantly exploits the youth and convinces individuals of all ages to purchase and try millions of different products. Although there are many diverse brands, they all share the same goal of commercialization and are competing for the public’s attention.
This trend has continued for many decades and will continue indefinitely. However, this bill has the potential to halt it temporarily, by blocking adolescents’ chance of buying them independently.
Beyond this, owners or developers of each respective social media or app should be held accountable for allowing children under 13 years of age to create an account on their website. Measures of security should be tightened or guaranteed, and it should not take a new proposed legislation for others to consider protecting the innocence and naivety of the young, upcoming generation.
rross1@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @thegardensmal, Instagram
