So, it turns out teens, tweens and twenty-somethings are shaking up the skincare game these days! Data compiled in a 2024 Vagaro survey shows that young people today aren't just following TikTok trends – they're seriously committed to keeping their skin healthy.
Want to know what's interesting? Generation Z (that's teens and early-to-mid 20s) and Generation Alpha (12 and under) are getting into skin care way earlier than earlier generations. They're not just grabbing whatever's in the bathroom cabinet, either. Younger consumers are doing their research, creating their own routines. Not only that, they are convincing their parents to invest in quality products!
Whether it's daily SPF, safe cleansers, or understanding ingredients, these skincare-savvy kids are proving that good habits start young. And honestly? We're kind of impressed!
Check out survey insights HERE, and read on for an even deeper dive!
How Are Gen Z and Gen A Different?
Before diving into what sets these two trendsetting demographics apart, let’s get to know them a bit better.
Gen Z: Born between 1996 and 2007, Z's are currently in their teens and twenties (ages 13-27). They grew up alongside social media, making them the first true digital natives. This generation embraces individuality and seeks out brands in the beauty industry that reflect their values, especially in areas like inclusivity and sustainability.
Gen Alpha: The youngest skincare enthusiasts, A's were born between 2010 and 2024 (ages 0-12...yes, 0). While they may seem a bit young to influence beauty trends, they’re surprisingly knowledgeable. In fact, our survey showed that nearly one-third of their parents say their kids know more about skin care than they do! With access to influencers, tutorials, and innovative products, this group is shaping the future of beauty earlier than ever.
Whether you’re perfecting your routine or a parent of a skincare prodigy, these two generations are making waves in the beauty world.
What Do Gen Z and Gen Alpha Want from Skin Care?
While both generations share common goals like hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier, their ingredient preferences reflect their unique needs and stages of life.
Why the Difference?
Age plays a key role in skincare priorities. For Generation Z, the teenage years, and even early adulthood often come with battles against acne, blackheads, oily patches, and dryness. Meanwhile, Alpha, the youngest skin care adopters, are more focused on gentle care and prevention, favoring soothing and moisturizing ingredients.
Let's explore this further by exploring the sought-after ingredients for both demographics.
Your A-to-Z Guide to Skincare Ingredients - What's Hot Right Now!
Whether you're dealing with breakouts, trying to get that perfect glow, or just starting your skincare journey, our survey showed what ingredients are trending (and work!).
Let's break it down by age group:
Teens & Early 20s (Team Z): Your Must-Have Ingredients
What we know already is that you want clear, glowing skin that looks amazing in selfies and IRL! Here's what our survey said are your favorite ingredients.
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Vitamin C (13% of you swear by it!): Think of it as your brightness bestie! It helps fade those annoying dark spots from old breakouts and gives your skin that main-character energy.
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Hyaluronic Acid (10% can't live without it!): Need that dewy, plump look? This is your secret weapon! It's like a drink of water for your face, giving you that fresh, bouncy skin everyone's after.
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Salicylic Acid (10% say it's their holy grail!): Breakouts? Bye! This ingredient goes deep to clear out the gunk that causes acne and clogged pores. You'll usually find it in toners and spot treatments.
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Peptides (10% are obsessed!): Consider these the building blocks for healthy skin! They help keep your skin firm and support natural healing - think of them as your skin's personal trainer.
The 0-12 Crowd (Gen Alpha): Your Preferred Skin Solutions
Those just starting out with skin care the following ingredients are perfect for your delicate skin—and are the most sought after, according to our survey:
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Hyaluronic Acid (19% of younger skincare fans love this!) This approachable hydrator keeps your skin soft and healthy without feeling heavy or sticky. It's basically a big hug for your face!
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Aloe Vera (14% say it's essential!): When your skin feels irritated or sensitive, aloe vera is like a cool, calming bestie. Perfect after a day in the sun or when your skin needs some TLC!
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Vitamin C (14% can't get enough!): Protects your skin from everyday stress (like pollution) while giving you a natural glow. It's like a shield and highlighter in one!
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Green Tea Extract (14% are totally into it!): This natural ingredient is packed with good stuff that helps calm redness and protect your skin. Think of it as your daily green smoothie, but for your face!
Parents: These ingredients are dermatologist-approved and okay for young skin. They help build healthy skincare habits without overwhelming young skin barriers. Plus, they're perfect for preventing future skin concerns!
However, everyone's skin is different, so what works for your bestie might not work for you. Always patch test new products and introduce one ingredient at a time!
What Skincare Tools Are Taking Over Gen Z & Gen Alpha's Bathrooms?
We've covered ingredients, but what about tools? Ever wonder what beauty tools are worth the hype? Let's break down what these two age groups love now, according to our survey!
Team Z (That’s Teens & Early 20s) Is All About:
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Sheet masks (23% swear by them!)
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Pimple patches (23% can't live without these lifesavers)
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Face cleansing brushes (17% are hooked)
Well, this all makes total sense. When you're dealing with acne breakouts and oily skin, you want tools and beauty products that get the job done!
Meanwhile, Team Alpha (The Young’uns) Is obsessed With:
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Face cleansing brushes (19% are fans)
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Jade rollers (19% love that cooling effect)
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Gua sha tools (19% are into that face massage life)
The plot twist here? This age group is MORE into some of these beauty products and tools than their older siblings!
Brand Love: What's In Their Shopping Carts?
So, we know what ingredients and products they use to reach skincare goals, but what major skincare brands get the most love from younger consumers, and why? Not surprisingly, the strengths of each brand play to the major needs of each of these demographics.
Gen Z's Top Skincare Brands:
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CeraVe (20% are loyal fans): Because who doesn't love affordable skincare products that actually work? Their ceramide-packed formulas are basically skin barrier superheroes!
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The Ordinary (15% can't get enough): When you want specific ingredients without the fancy packaging markup, this is your go-to
Among Gen Alpha, Favorite Skincare Brands Include:
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Bubble (24% are obsessed): Clean, gentler formulas made specifically for young skin? Yes please!
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BYOMA (15% are into it): New(ish) brand on the block making waves with their barrier-friendly skincare products.
And the beauty industry brand bringing everyone together? Drunk Elephant! Both age groups love their clean, fragrance-free approach to skincare products. (Z at 17% and A at 15% - pretty close!)
The big takeaway is that Z and A know their stuff. Young consumers aren't swayed by flashy packaging but science–backed formulas that help their skin. And honestly? We could probably learn a thing or two from them!
How Much Are Z & A Spending on Skin Care?
TikTok and YouTube aren't just for dance challenges anymore. Among other things, these platforms are changing how young people think about—and value—skin care. And guess what? Kids aren't just influencing their own bathroom shelves – they're changing what their whole family buys!
Here's the tea on spending habits:
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Generation Z (teens and early 20s) went all in in 2024, with 39% dropping $300-$500 on skincare this past year
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The younger crowd (Gen Alpha) is starting smaller, with most spending $50-$100 (probably with a little help from Mom and Dad's wallet but then, collecting a paycheck at 12 is evidence of child labor law violations in most states.)
Parents, if you're reading this, heads up! Over 70% of parents in the survey showed that skincare definitely hit their kids' holiday wish lists. So don't be shocked later this year when your kid asks for that viral cleanser, moisturizer, or that jade roller everyone's talking about!
Fun fact: Parents in the survey admitted their kids are teaching them about skin care. Looks like the students have become the masters!
Pro tip: Whether you're a teen managing your own skincare budget or a parent navigating your kid's growing interest, remember that expensive doesn't always mean better (something the older cohort has realized). It's all about finding what works for your skin (and your wallet)!
So, What's The Big Picture Here?
With so much skin in the game (sorry, sorry...), let's break down what we're seeing with these skincare-savvy generations:
On the face of it (REALLY sorry...), Gen Z skincare is all about targeting specific skin concerns - they're reaching for those power-packed ingredients like niacinamide to tackle breakouts head-on. (Just remember: these ingredients are like spices - a little goes a long way! Too much and your skin might throw a fit).
Meanwhile, Gen Alpha's skincare emphasizes the long game! They're focused on keeping their skin happy and healthy from the start with gentler, hydrating products. Think of it like building a house - they're making sure the foundation is solid before adding any fancy features!
It’s important to remember that whether you're dealing with active breakouts or just wanting to keep your skin healthy, both approaches make total sense. The key is finding what works for YOUR skin!
And parents - this is why your Gen Z teen might be begging for that salicylic acid serum while your younger Alpha kiddo is obsessed with their gentle moisturizer. Different skin, different needs!
Avoiding Pitfalls & Embracing a Healthy Routine
Let's keep it real – while we love seeing young people take charge of their skin health, there are some common mistakes we should talk about. To create a skincare routine that works, younger generations need to avoid the following.
Overdoing Active Ingredients
While ingredients like salicylic acid and vitamin C are great (and we see you, Gen Z, loving these!), too much of a good thing can damage your skin barrier. Think of active ingredients like spices in cooking – a little goes a long way! Start with gentler concentrations and gradually work your way up if needed.
The "More Is More" Myth
So, we get it – with so many amazing products out there, it's tempting to use everything at once. But layering multiple active ingredients or using too many products (especially potentially "harsh chemicals" like alpha hydroxy acids) can irritate your skin. Remember: a simple, consistent routine often works better than a 12-step skincare marathon.
Chasing "Anti-Aging" Too Early
Looking at you again, Gen Z. We see those anti-aging products in your cart! While prevention is great, you don't need intense anti-aging products that prevent spots and wrinkles in your teens and early 20s. Your skin is still producing plenty of collagen, and overuse of harsh anti-aging serums (which often contain Retinol) can be counterproductive at your age. In fact, this has already raised a few eyebrows [1].
Instead, focus on the basics: cleanser, moisturizer, and (most importantly) sunscreen.
Fixing What Isn't Broken
Attention Alpha kids: While it's awesome that you're interested in skincare, you don't need to "fix" your moisture barrier if it's healthy! At your age, you generally have a perfectly healthy skin barrier and natural moisture retention.
A focus on "repairing" or "improving" their moisture barrier (especially among young girls) is usually unnecessary and could potentially disrupt their healthy skin function. Gentle cleansing and moisturizing are usually all you need. Save those intensive treatments for when your skin needs them.
The Social Media Trap
To members of BOTH generations: Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are full of trending products skincare advice, but not all of it is legitimate. What works for your favorite influencer might not work for you, and some trends can harm your skin.
Always:
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Consult a dermatologist before trying intensive treatments
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Be skeptical of "miracle" skin care products or overnight solutions
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Remember that most social media stars use filters and perfect lighting
Parents Corner
Parents, while it's great that your kids are skin-conscious, help them avoid these common pitfalls:
Resist pressure to buy expensive makeup and skincare products. Price doesn't always equal quality, and this is a valuable lesson that older consumers have already learned. Help your kids understand that their skin is still developing and doesn't need intensive treatments.
Encourage consulting with healthcare professionals rather than following social media trends. Monitor for signs of skincare obsession, anxiety about skin appearance, body dysmorphia or other causes for concern.
Remember: Healthy skin is a marathon, not a sprint. The best skincare routine is one that's sustainable, non-harsh, and right for your age and skin type. When in doubt, consult a professional – dermatologists are the real skincare influencers!
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