Swedish pharmacy

bans sale of anti-ageing skincare to children

A leading chain of Swedish chemists

is introducing age restrictions

on anti-ageing skincare amid rising concerns across Europe over

the potentially damaging effects

on children of their turning

to such products prematurely.

Apotek Hjärtat, which has about

390 pharmacies in Sweden, is to stop selling “advanced skin care” products (including the ingredients AHA acid,

BHA acid, vitamin A, vitamin C

and enzyme peeling) to customers

under 15 unless they have parental consent or a relevant skin condition.

It comes amid reports of a skincare boom among children in Sweden aged under 13, driven by social media. One beauty chain told broadcaster SVT that 20-40% of its customers are now aged under 13.

Experts fear the craze could be having

a detrimental physical impact

on such young skin and are concerned about the psychological impact

of children obsessing over ageing.

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