"Mum, Can I Get the Glow Drops?” – Navigating the Tween Skincare Craze Without Losing Our Minds

By a 41-year-old mum of an 11-year-old who suddenly knows what retinol is 😳

When Did Skincare Become the New Toy Aisle?

A few weeks ago, my 11-year-old daughter came home from a sleepover absolutely buzzing.

“Mum,” she said, clutching her phone, “have you heard of the Glow Drops? Everyone’s using them. They make your skin literally glow. Can I get them? Please?”

Now, as someone who grew up with a bar of soap, some Nivea cream, and a bottle of Impulse body spray, I was floored. Since when did 11-year-olds need a skincare routine?

Welcome to 2025, where tweens are skipping the frosted lip gloss phase and diving headfirst into serums, actives, and jade rollers. It’s the era of TikTok-fuelled skincare hauls, “Sephora Saturdays,” and ten-step routines before they’ve even had their first spot.

And let me tell you: it’s a minefield.

The Problem With “Skincare for Kids” That’s Actually Not for Kids

I started reading labels. Hyaluronic acid. Retinol. Glycolic acid. Fragrance. Dyes. Parabens. Words I can’t pronounce. And these were all in products being marketed with pastel colours, cartoon characters, and sparkly packaging - clearly aimed at young girls.

Some of these ingredients are powerful. Too powerful. Retinol? That’s an anti-aging treatment that I, as a 41-year-old woman, still have to ease into. So what’s it doing on my daughter’s bathroom shelf?

Turns out, many of these high street brands are targeting teens and tweens because, well, it sells. But their developing skin doesn’t need harsh actives or synthetic chemicals. It needs protection, balance, and a little kindness.

The truth is, many of these trendy products are doing more harm than good. Stripping their natural oils. Irritating their skin. And, in the long run, making them reliant on products they didn’t even need in the first place.

Back to Basics: Clean, Simple, and Organic

So I did what most mums do when faced with something completely baffling and a bit alarming: I made a cuppa and went down a rabbit hole of research.

Here’s what I’ve learned (and what I’m gently trying to pass on to my daughter too):

Your skin is smart. It knows what to do if you leave it alone.

Less is more. A gentle cleanser, a light moisturiser, and SPF are plenty for pre-teen skin.

Nature knows best. Look for products made with organic ingredients you can actually recognise - think aloe vera, chamomile, jojoba oil, and shea butter.

Fragrance-free is key. If it smells like a candy shop, it’s probably full of stuff their skin doesn’t need.

We’ve swapped out the neon bottles for a little jar of organic balm that smells like lavender and doesn’t come with a side of chemical confusion. I’ve even started using it myself - and surprise surprise, my skin’s looking happier for it.

What I Want My Daughter to Know

I want her to know that beauty isn’t about a 12-step routine or the latest product going viral.

It’s about feeling good in your skin - not fixing it, covering it, or treating it like a problem.

I want her to know that taking care of yourself is a beautiful thing. But it should feel gentle. Not like pressure. Not like competition. Not like a shopping spree that leaves your skin (and your bank account) raw.

And maybe, as we go through this together—mother learning alongside daughter - we’ll both come out the other side a little wiser, a little more grounded, and a lot more aware of what we’re putting on our skin.

So, to the other mums out there:

If your daughter’s asking for glow drops and night serums before she’s even finished primary school, you’re not alone.

Take a deep breath. Read the labels. Ask questions. And remember - sometimes the best thing we can do is teach them that the simple things are often the most powerful.

(And no, we still don’t need retinol at 11.)