AP shows damage caused to young girls’ skin and mental health by beauty products promoted on social media

By Jocelyn Gecker and Almaz Abedje

Anybody who visits their local Sephora likely knows growing numbers of young girls have a fixation with beauty products.

Less widely known is the source of the obsession, and the damage it’s causing to preteen girls’ skin and mental health.

San Francisco-based education writer Jocelyn Gecker won the trust of two girls and their families to share their experiences with antiaging products they learned about on TikTok and YouTube. Washington-based video journalist Almaz Abedje shot and produced a social video for the package, including her own interview with the 11-year-old girl, who quit her elaborate skin care routine after noticing damage on her face. Abedje also interviewed a dermatologist on camera, who offered advice for parents.

Two girls, 11-year-old Scarlett and 14-year-old Mia, described to Gecker the pressure they felt to achieve the look of the complexions they saw online and to keep up with friends. Both also ultimately suffered reactions from using adult-strength products not intended for use on young, sensitive skin.

Part of a series on social media and teen mental health, the project explored how the skin care obsession took off as kids spent more time online, subjected to beautiful faces that aren’t even real thanks to filters and artificial intelligence. It explored calls for accountability from a cosmetics industry that has profited from preteen consumers, reached through social media influencers who don’t always mention they are paid by brands to promote products.

Aided by a partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network, the all-formats Be Well package included a solutions-oriented sidebar that featured experts’ advice on what a skin care routine should look like for preteenagers. Gecker spoke with many dermatologists, who shared the advice they offer when parents come to their offices unsure of how to address their children’s elaborate skin care routines.

Judges were impressed by the piece’s deep focus on mental health, instead of just capturing a trend, and its focus on solutions, including sharing dermatologists’ advice.

Customers accessed the package 937 times, and it had 77,000 page views on APNews and a mainbar engagement score of 96/100. The social video had more than 200,000 views on Instagram in the first 24 hours.

A reader emailed Gecker to thank her: “I read your article and goodness. I didn’t know it ran deeper. This is information I shall share, and may it help someone to understand what’s happening.”

For an illuminating and constructive guide to preteens and parents on the dangers posed by adult skin products for young girls, Gecker and Abedje earn this week’s Best of the Week — First Winner.