Only 1 in 4 Teen TikTok Routines Include Sunscreen, New Pediatrics Study Finds
Your tween's viral multi-step routine may be skipping the one product that matters while stacking ingredients that raise sun sensitivity.
The June 2025 Pediatrics study found that teen TikTok skincare routines averaged 6 products and an average of 11 potentially irritating active ingredients, yet only 26% of daytime routines included sunscreen.
The dermatology researchers behind the study caution that elaborate routines aimed at young skin often layer irritating actives while omitting sunscreen - a combination that can raise the risk of irritation and sun sensitivity rather than improve skin health.
Questions we get a lot
How many teen TikTok routines actually included sunscreen?
Only 26% of the daytime routines analyzed in the June 2025 Pediatrics study included sunscreen. That means roughly three in four skipped the one product dermatologists consider essential for daytime sun protection. The finding came from Northwestern researchers studying content aimed at girls aged 7 to 18.
Why are these viral routines considered risky for kids?
The study found routines averaged 6 products and 11 potentially irritating active ingredients, such as exfoliating acids, layered together. For young skin this raises the risk of irritation and increased sun sensitivity, especially when sunscreen is omitted. Researchers warned the routines were often expensive and offered little benefit.
What should a simple, safe routine for a tween look like?
Experts cited in the coverage recommend stripping routines back to basics: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and - crucially - a daily sunscreen. Avoiding multiple strong actives reduces the irritation risk the study flagged. The emphasis is on protection and simplicity over the elaborate viral routines.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'My 11-year-old wants a 10-step Sephora routine from TikTok - what's actually safe for her age?'