Kids and tweens are developing lifelong issues because of their skincare routines, warns derm the No. 1 culprit

Gen Alpha: Put down the serum bottle.A top dermatologist is sounding the alarm about teenagers’ skincare routines, warning that some product-obsessed middle and high schoolers are doing way more harm than good.And they may be dooming themselves to suffer for the rest of their lives.“Kids and tweens are developing lifelong contact allergies to things like fragrances, which will impact their use of personal care products for the rest of their lives,” Dr.Sandy Skotnicki, author of “Beyond Soap” and co-host of Skin To It podcast, told The Post.

The culprit? Too many ingredients that overwhelm teenage skin, including exfoliants like AHA and retinol, which can can compromise the skin barrier.“Then [they’re] exposing this compromised skin barrier to another 10 products each having 30+ ingredients,” she said.:The math? 300+ ingredients the skin must deal with over a compromised skin barrier.“I had a teen ask me during an acne consult if she could still use her niacinamide, retinol, eye bamboo masks and skin primer under her foundation — she was 15,” Skotnicki added.In fact, teens who are exposed to multiple ingredients from their skincare regimens are more likely to experience irritation and allergic contact dermatitis, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics looking at the skincare routines of teenagers on TikTok.Many young people may pile on the products, thinking it will help their skin.

But too many ingredients overwhelm the skin barrier for anyone — but especially teens and tweens, who have more delicate, sensitive skin.“The skin barrier has a job to do — keep moisture in and irritants out,” Skotnicki said.“When you bombard it with too many ingredients, you break it down — and once it’s compromised, you open the door to redness, burning, itching, breakouts, even long-term sensitivity.”Not only can too many skincare products lead to immediate inflammation, but the effects can go much deeper, especially if the ski...