Tween make-up obsession harmful - study

17 per cent of young girls refuse to leave the house without make-up on. Photo / Thinkstock

Girls as young as 12 are afraid to leave home without wearing a full face of make-up, new research has revealed.

A new study has found that over half of 12 to 14-year-olds wear make-up most days and 17 per cent refuse to leave the house without make-up on.

The new research also reveals that over 63 per cent of 12-14 year olds even go to bed with their make-up on at least once a week with 38 per cent of them simply 'forgetting to take it off' and 36 per cent leaving it on because they are 'too tired'.

So obsessed with cosmetics are these young girls that 45 per cent of them will touch up their make-up throughout the day, especially if they have bad skin.

The research also revealed that, despite this, having clear and healthy skin was very important to 81 per cent of young girls.

Over two-thirds of mothers (70 per cent) say they regularly hear their daughters complain about their skin.

Skincare experts warn that applying too much make-up at a young age not only worsens existing and immediate skin problems but can also have a detrimental effect on long-term skin health and condition - not to mention confidence and self-esteem.

A spokesperson for Simple, who commissioned the research, said: "Applying too much make-up from as young as 12 years old without first using skincare products can cause sensitive skin to become dry and irritated.

"Skincare products such as face wash and cleanser help ensure that skin is clean and prevent build-up of spot-causing bacteria, while moisturisers are key for ensuring skin is hydrated and often contain SPF to protect against damaging UV rays."

She continued: "The results of this research suggest that while good skin is clearly very important to young girls, they are caking on make-up to cover their imperfections which unfortunately, enters them into a vicious circle as this excessive use is actually creating more problems for themselves.

"Applying layers of make-up will only serve to block pores, create and harbour more bacteria and inevitably, lead to greater skincare problems as well as confidence and self-esteem issues.

"While most teenage girls recognise that they have sensitive skin, there seems to be a genuine lack of awareness and education among young girls on how to look after their skin's health today and protect it for years to come."

- Daily Mail