Expert warns ‘skincare doping’ is wrecking youngsters’ faces and will trigger severe issues

Teenagers are “doping” their faces with influencer-backed anti-ageing actives while luxury skincare sells unproven “science”, a leading dermatologist exclusively told the Daily Star

Teenagers are “doping” their faces with anti-ageing chemicals in “lunchtime” treatments that can leave damage that’s hard to undo.

That’s according to a top dermatologist who says Britain’s biggest skincare trends are quietly wrecking skin. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Star, Dr Inna Szalontay – dermatologist and founder of Libi & Daughters Clinic and skincare range – warned: “The worst viral skincare trend I see is teenagers treating their skin as though it is already ageing.

She said: “They are layering retinoids, exfoliating acids, serums, rich creams and other active products because they have seen them recommended by influencers, without understanding whether their skin actually needs them.”

Dr Szalontay, who is a sixth-generation dermatologist, said young skin is “a highly intelligent, self-regulating organ”, and piling on heavy actives can backfire dramatically. “When we continually apply products designed to compensate for functions that have not yet declined, we interfere with that natural balance,” she explained.

“I sometimes compare it to giving the skin a form of unnecessary ‘doping’.” Instead of the “glass skin” that social media promises, she says the end result can be a catalogue of problems. The expert told the Daily Star: “The result is often the opposite of what the teenager hoped to achieve.

“Instead of healthier or more youthful-looking skin, we see disruption of the lipid barrier, increased sensitivity, inflammation, congestion, acne flare-ups and pigmentation.” Dr Szalontay revealed more problems: “Some teenagers are using several active treatments and then covering inflamed skin with heavy foundation or BB cream.

“The inflammation is temporarily concealed, but underneath, heat, oil and congestion may worsen the condition.” Her message to teens is simple: stop copying influencer routines and do less.

“Skincare should compensate for what the skin genuinely lacks at a particular stage of life – not provide ingredients simply because they are fashionable,” she said.

Dr Szalontay also had blunt advice for anyone trying to build a routine on £15 a month: don’t waste it on cheap “dupe” creams. “If a skincare product is extremely cheap, in the best-case scenario it may simply do nothing,” she said.

“I always say that it is better to do nothing to your skin than to apply something unnecessary or potentially harmful simply for the sake of having a routine.” Her budget cleanser pick? “Buy a simple baby soap designed for very young children,” she said.

And instead of bargain moisturiser, she suggests a DIY kitchen mask: “Egg yolk, full-fat sour cream and finely blended fresh parsley.” As for a traditional trick that costs pennies, she swears by potato slices under the eyes.

“This very simple remedy can help reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles,” she said. “Many physical scrubs contain rough particles that can act like tiny scratching agents,” she warned, saying they can cause “micro-injury”, strip the barrier and worsen acne, rosacea and inflammation.

And while people hunt for a “skin killer” ingredient, she says some of the biggest destroyers are lifestyle habits – especially sugar. “One of the most underestimated destroyers of skin quality is chronic hyperglycaemia and glycation – in simple terms, persistently excessive sugar,” she said.

“People often search for one miracle cream to reverse ageing, but much of what determines skin quality happens internally and accumulates over many years.”

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