British teenagers are developing a pathological fixation on skincare routines, a condition dubbed ‘cosmeticorexia’ by dermatologists, prompting health authorities to issue an unprecedented warning. The trend, driven by social media influencers and a multi-billion-pound beauty industry, has seen adolescents as young as 12 adopting elaborate multi-step regimens involving acids, retinoids, and other active ingredients typically reserved for mature skin.
The term, coined by Dr. Emma Craythorne, a consultant dermatologist at King’s College London, describes an obsessive preoccupation with skin appearance that leads to compulsive product use, often resulting in chemical burns, allergic reactions, and long-term damage. NHS data shows a 200% increase in dermatology referrals for teenagers with skincare-related issues since 2019.
Health chiefs at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have today issued guidance for parents to recognise warning signs: secrecy about product purchases, ritualistic application patterns, and visible skin irritation. “These are not beauty habits; they are addictive behaviours with clinical consequences,” said Dr. Craythorne.
The UK’s advertising regulator, the ASA, is reviewing its rules on influencer marketing after a review found that 78% of skincare promotions targeting under-18s used unsubstantiated claims. Meanwhile, major retailers including Boots and Superdrug have voluntarily agreed to restrict sales of high-strength chemical exfoliants to under-16s.
The phenomenon reflects a broader cultural shift where self-worth is increasingly tied to physical perfection, amplified by algorithmic content. Campaigners are calling for a digital duty of care to protect young consumers from what one MP termed “a public health emergency in waiting”.
