California lawmakers reject bills intended to ban anti-aging products for children.
A proposed piece of legislation in California seeking to prohibit the sale of anti-aging skincare items to minors under 13 faced a setback in the state assembly on Thursday, May 16, following deliberations at an Appropriations Committee session.
The bill, known as AB 2491, was presented by Assemblymember Alex Lee with the goal of addressing concerns surrounding the pervasive influence of online trends promoting extensive skincare routines among young children.
California Lawmakers Reject the Bill To Protect Tweens
In recent times, discussions on social media have surged regarding "Sephora Kids," depicting instances where young children dominate retail spaces like Sephora, engaging in confrontations with adult shoppers over trendy skincare products.
These children, some still sporting baby teeth, have gained significant online followings by showcasing their makeup and skincare routines, often resulting in chaotic shopping scenes.
Health experts have cautioned against the use of certain skincare products popularized on social media, citing potential skin irritations among young users.
Several dermatologists reported a rise in cases where pre-teens experienced redness, dryness, bumps, and itching after using unnecessary skincare items.
The proposed bill, previously approved by the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, aimed to restrict minors under 13 from purchasing over-the-counter anti-aging products containing vitamin A derivatives or alpha-hydroxy acids, substances known to include retinoids, retinol, glycolic acid, ascorbic acid, and citric acid.
Expressing disappointment at the bill's outcome, Assemblymember Alex Lee emphasized his dedication to safeguarding children from the potential adverse effects of anti-aging skincare products in a statement.
Misuse of Anti-aging Products in Children
Twenty California legislators have penned and dispatched a missive to the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), a national trade association representing 600 firms in the cosmetics and personal care industries, as noted by Lee.
These legislators are urging the industry to outline tangible measures they intend to implement to tackle the issue of minors purchasing anti-aging products.
Lee emphasized that the responsibility lies with the multi-billion-dollar beauty industry to take effective action on this matter.
He highlighted in an April press release that anti-aging products containing potent ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid, and ascorbic acid have become increasingly accessible in retail outlets over recent years.
However, in their latest statement, the PCPC advised California lawmakers to oppose the legislation, labeling it a rushed attempt to curb a social media trend.
They cautioned that the bill could lead to excessive regulation of safe skincare items such as sunscreens, moisturizers, and cleansers.
Had the bill been approved, sellers would have been required to implement various reasonable measures to enforce the age limit, including prominently displaying notices indicating the products are not intended for minors under 13, age verification at checkout, and restricting the use of prepaid credit cards for online purchases.
The PCPC spokesperson echoed Assemblymember Lee's concerns about minors using anti-aging products due to social media influence but noted that California AB 2491 posed significant compliance challenges, including the need for cashiers to verify product claims and customer ages during checkout.
