CBS News California Investigates: "Sephora kids" concerns
Get-ready-with-me videos saturate social media feeds, targeting young girls with multi-step skincare routines where popular brands partner with kid-fluencers to create viral skincare products. The skincare industry is cashing in on so-called "Sephora kids," fueled by Gen Alpha (kids under 12). But dermatologists warn that many viral products contain anti-aging ingredients that can harm young skin, and it's hard to tell the products apart.
A California lawmaker wants to restrict the sale of some anti-aging products for kids under 18. Critics say that's misguided. So, CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and the CBS News Confirmed team to examine the risks and the proposed solutions.
| How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skinA CBS News Confirmed analysis of a dozen skincare influencers' accounts found that many featured ingredients not suitable for kids and were undisclosed brand partnerships or sponsored posts. |
| "Sephora Kids" Investigation: California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors dies without voteCBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and CBS News Confirmed to examine the risks and what is being done to protect children. |
Behind the investigation: Interviews & chats
CBS News 24/7 chat with Elizabeth Cook
Julie Watts gives the backstory on how CBS News California's "Sephora kids" investigation began at Disneyland.
Good Day Sacramento chat with Courtney & John
Julie Watts discusses the undercover shopping spree she went on with her daughter and her daughter's friends for products with anti-aging ingredients.
Social media reporting to share
TikTok
@cbssacramento A new investigation from CBS News California Investigative Correspondent Julie Watts explores the dangers of anti-aging products on tweens and the growing "Sephora Kids" trend, a movement documented in TikTok and Instagram that has seen children to pour into beauty stores. Some of the beauty products they're seeking out could be harmful to their skin. California has introduced a bill that, if passed, would ban minors from purchasing anti-aging beauty products. But will it make a difference? Stream online with CBS News Sacramento or tune in to CBS13 tonight at 5 and 10 p.m. to see the full results of her investigation.
♬ original sound - CBS Sacramento - CBS Sacramento
@kcalnews CBS News California Investigates Correspondent Julie Watts sent her 5th-grade daughter and some classmates (with parents' permission) undercover shopping for skincare products to see what would happen when the kids tried to buy products that, according to dermatologists, contain anti-aging ingredients that could harm their young skin. From bubblegum cleansers to kid-fluencers promoting viral brands, the skincare industry is cashing in on the so-called "Sephora kids" trend. And while industry says it doesn't market adult skincare to kids, most shoppers wouldn't know that by looking at the shelf or even the fine print on the fruit-shaped and brightly colored packaging. On top of all that, the ongoing trend is also coming on the heels of a recently failed attempt to limit the sale of certain skincare products to children in California. #skincare #california #news #sephorakids
♬ original sound - KCAL News
@kcalnews CBS News, reporter Julie Watts and her daughter's entire fifth-grade class went to the State Capitol to investigate California’s failed “Sephora kids" bill, which aimed to restrict the sale of anti-aging skincare products to minors. They listened in as supporters and critics battled over the bill, before taking their questions directly to lawmakers regarding the ethics of skincare brands making billions of dollars a year seemingly selling products, some of which dermatologists say are harmful for minors, to tweens. #skincare #sephorakids #california #investigation #sephora #ulta
♬ original sound - KCAL News
@cbsnews What's with tweens running to Sephora to buy skincare? CBS News Confirmed analyzed top “kidfluencer” accounts posting about these beauty products and found that 94% of their posts weren’t labeled as ads. Many of the products featured contain anti-aging ingredients like retinol, formulas dermatologists warn aren’t safe for kids. #sephora #makeup #skincare
♬ original sound - cbsnews
@cbsnews Fifth graders walked into a store and left with anti-aging skincare meant for adults. In an undercover investigation, Julie Watts found just how easy it is for children to buy products that dermatologists warn can damage young skin. While it’s legal to sell to kids, experts say the risks are real. #sephora #makeup #skincare
♬ original sound - cbsnews
@cbsnewsconfirmed Kids are heading to Sephora to buy anti-aging skincare products as a part of the viral "Sephora kids trend." A joint investigation by CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts and CBS News Confirmed found that kid influencers are posting about products that can harm young skin.
♬ original sound - CBS News Confirmed
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