# Cosmeticorexia: How girls are falling down a skincare rabbit hole
Social media platforms are driving young girls toward excessive skincare routines in what experts call "cosmeticorexia," an emerging obsession with perfecting skin through overuse of products. The children's skincare market has exploded as brands target increasingly younger consumers through influencer marketing and algorithmic feeds that promote cosmetic content.
Dermatologists warn that this trend carries real consequences. Dr. Anjali Mahto, a consultant dermatologist, notes that excessive skincare routines can damage the skin barrier, leading to irritation, sensitivity, and paradoxically, more breakouts. The developing skin of adolescents requires minimal intervention, yet girls report using 10-plus step routines featuring serums, toners, essences, and treatments meant for adult skin.
The psychological toll mirrors eating disorders. Girls fixate on perceived skin flaws, check their appearance obsessively, and experience anxiety when unable to complete routines. Mental health experts recognize this as a body-focused compulsive behavior tied to social media's role in amplifying insecurity. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram algorithmically surface skincare content to users showing interest, creating echo chambers where elaborate routines seem normal and necessary.
The "glass skin" trend epitomizes the problem. This social media-driven aesthetic presents poreless, translucent skin as achievable through products, despite being digitally filtered and unrealistic. Young girls pursue it relentlessly, spending significant money on unproven treatments while their skin actually worsens from over-stripping and irritation.
Dermatologists recommend a radically simpler approach. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF 30 sunscreen suffice for healthy adolescent skin. Anything beyond this typically causes harm rather than benefit.