A bill in California aimed to ban the sale of anti-aging skin products to children under the age of 13 failed to advance in the state Assembly. The bill, AB 2491, was introduced by Assemblymember Alex Lee as a response to the growing trend of young children purchasing and using these products influenced by social media. The internet has been flooded with accounts of young children causing chaos in stores like Sephora, fighting over trendy skin care products, and sharing their routines online. Experts have warned that some of these products can cause irritation and allergic reactions in young skin.
The bill would have prohibited children under 13 from purchasing over-the-counter anti-aging products containing certain active ingredients like vitamin A derivatives and alpha hydroxy acids. Despite passing the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, the bill did not pass in the Appropriations Committee. Assemblymember Lee expressed disappointment in the outcome but remains committed to protecting children from the potential harm of using unnecessary anti-aging products. Additionally, twenty California state legislators sent a letter to the Personal Care Products Council, urging the industry to take concrete action to address the issue of children buying these products.
In April, Lee highlighted the accessibility of anti-aging products with potent active ingredients in retail stores. The bill aimed to enforce an age limit for purchasing these products and required sellers to take steps to enforce the restriction, such as placing notices next to products, age confirmation at checkout, and prohibiting prepaid credit cards for online purchases. The Personal Care Products Council opposed the legislation, calling it a hasty response to a social media trend and warning that it could lead to overregulation of safe skin care products like sunscreens and moisturizers.
The PCPC urged California legislators to vote against the bill, arguing that it could have unintended consequences for the industry and consumers. In response to the failed bill, Lee remains dedicated to protecting children from the potential risks associated with using anti-aging products at a young age. The decision not to advance the bill signals ongoing debate and concerns about regulating access to skincare products for minors influenced by social media trends. The discussions around this bill highlight a growing awareness of the impact of social media on consumer behavior, particularly among young children, and the need for industry and regulatory action to address these challenges.
