Hollywood star Shay Mitchell’s toddler skincare line sparked backlash, igniting a debate on whether young children need beauty products. Dermatologists and mothers are divided, with many experts emphasising that toddlers’ naturally soft skin requires minimal intervention, prioritising hygiene and natural remedies over cosmetic routines. In hopes of including toddlers and fuelling their curiosity, Hollywood star Shay Mitchell launched her skincare brand targeted to kids, nay toddlers. It drew instant backlash for being tone deaf and sparked a debate. Launching panda-face sheet masks, she wrote on Instagram, “Kids are naturally curious and instead of ignoring that, we can embrace it. With safe, gentle products parents can trust, and sweet moments that bring us closer.” She responded to the backlash saying that it isn’t about beauty at all. “I think this is coming down to it not being a beauty thing,” she said. “Kids don’t look at masks and think about fixing, they think about it being a cooling sensation and a shared moment.”The intention is to educate kids about self-care while the underlying issue gets “masked” (pun intended). In our latest #TalkingPoint, we ask mothers and dermatologists, do toddlers even need skincare? Is this peer pressure? Are we forgetting the sensitive skin of toddlers? Is skincare for toddlers the next big thing in beauty? Mothers are divided – a healthy habit or forced beauty standards.

Social media is filled with children and teenagers using active ingredient skincare and makeup

Child’s skin is naturally soft: dermatsDr. Navjot Arora, dermatologist says, “Toddlers do not need skincare in the cosmetic or beauty sense. At this age, a child’s skin is naturally soft and well-hydrated. Their skin is also far more sensitive and permeable than an adult’s, which means unnecessary products can actually cause irritation, allergies, rashes, or long-term sensitivity. Introducing beauty-oriented products such as face masks, scrubs, or sheet masks is neither medically needed nor developmentally appropriate.”“Toddlers have naturally soft, healthy skin. Their skin barrier is new, strong, and doesn’t need extra products like facemasks, serums, toners, or treatments. Healthy food, sleep, and play are the best “skincare” at this age. Toddlers don’t need skincare routines. Their skin is already perfect,” Dr. Geeta Grewal, cosmetologist, adds. ‘Early exposure to beauty standards creates pressure’“These products may unintentionally send a message that appearance needs “enhancement,” even before a child understands what beauty standards are. Early exposure to such practices can create pressure, fuel comparisons, and shift a child’s focus toward looks instead of play, creativity, or learning. When beauty becomes a performance for social media or branding, kids are pulled into a culture they are too young to navigate,” Dr. Arora adds.

Gen Alpha follows trends instead of trusty skincare, and grabs viral products

‘Dadi maa ke gharelu nuskhe are best for small kids’Social media influence is the prime suspect for skincare for toddlers becoming a point of debate. Zaib Khurram Habib, a mother of three, shares, “There is a lot of peer pressure among kids about looks and it is largely due to social media where physical appearance is considered to be of primary importance. The manufacturers are riding on this craze and targeting kids through advertisements on the platforms kids are exposed to.” She adds that the OG ‘dadi maa ke gharelu nuskhe’ are the best for small children and toddlers. Gen Alpha follows trends instead of trusty skincare, and grabs viral products. Social media influencers’ increasing purchasing power makes them more independent than ever. According to Mintel, it is projected to reach an astounding $5.5 trillion by 2029—and that’s hard to ignore. ‘Kids are now vanity-conscious and possessive about their products’Millennial mothers note a stark generation gap with their Gen Alpha kids. Hamna Kamal, a teacher and mother of two, shares, “There is definitely a shift in the obsession rate of children about their skin. I see the way my 11-year-old daughter interacts with her friends, these kids are very self-conscious. Am I looking good? Is my skin looking dry? Is my scalp dry? When I was at this age, I did not have an idea of dry scalp or skin! But my daughter is very particular, the cream that she uses should not be used by anybody else. But she is so possessive about it that no one else should use it.”‘I don’t let people touch my toddler, skincare toh door ki baat hai’Mothers caution their toddlers not just from strangers, but strange hands too. Immunity and germ concerns have been heightened post-pandemic. Mohaddesa Zaidi, mother of a toddler, says, “I wouldn’t even want people touching my child’s face without washing their hands, skincare toh door ki baat hai. Their skin is delicate, and hygiene matters way more than any so-called “routine.” Kids need care, not beauty pressure. They should be learning confidence and comfort in their own skin, not thinking something needs to be “fixed.” I don’t think any child needs them.” She believes toddlers should be playing, exploring, and enjoying childhood, not following beauty routines.

On the flip side are mothers who believe skincare routines can teach kids about discipline and self-care early on (Pic: iStock)

‘It’s about healthy habits from the start’On the flip side are mothers who believe skincare routines can teach kids about discipline and self-care early on. “For me, skincare for kids (and for adults) should be less about ‘beauty’ and more about self-care. I have a 4-month old, but as he grows, that’s how I would like him to think about skincare as well – building healthy habits around it and making it more about care than appearance,” shares Soumya Luthra, a stay-at-home mom. ‘Products are fine, but shouldn’t follow trends blindly’Echoing the sentiment, Isha Jaiswal, an accountant and content creator says, “If a gentle product helps with dryness or sensitivity, it’s fine. But people shouldn’t follow trends blindly. As a new mother, I feel toddler skincare should always focus on health and safety, not beauty or perfection.”For Vandana Paswan, it may not be that bad. “Skincare, if presented to children as self care with its benefits, will carry the necessary message and not be deemed as an obsession. A skin care routine does give a sense of responsibility to the kids. It also gives them a sense of control which they love. As they grow they also become more independent in the long-run.”Big expectations for little mindsA teenager’s mom and psychologist Jyoti Sharma thinks it’s all too much too soon. “I don’t think even teenagers need skincare products beyond a face wash and mild moisturiser. Toddlers using skincare is a big no for me. Chote bachhon ki skin already bohot achi hoti hai. 11 saal tak they have baby skin. They need minimum products and it’s ideal if they’re household products like coconut oil and olive oil.”“Parents and caregivers should prioritize skin health over beauty trends. Stick to dermatologist-approved basics—gentle cleansers, adequate hydration, sun protection for outdoor exposure, and avoiding any unnecessary cosmetic products. Preserve the innocence of childhood by keeping beauty pressures at bay,” Dr. Arora says.Inputs by Riya Sharma