Teens and Tweens the new Big Spenders

When it comes to personal care products, teens and tweens are a demographic you cannot ignore.

Cosmetic Design today shared some facts from a report by Packaged Fact that show incredible growth in sales for the personal care category for both teens and tweens, increasing by 16% to reach $8 billion by 2009. (Current US sales are at $6.9bn.) This is from the increased spending power from this group, who ask for "pocket money" from their parents - and receive it.

Marketing and advertising campaigns fuel their spending, as do the influences of their slightly older peers. They write, that "the more developed market for teenage personal care products has helped to feed the market for tween products...One of the main reasons for this is that tweens often want to mimic the habits of their older peers and siblings in the teenage category, leading to demand for similar products."

Which products? In skincare, it is mostly facial care products, hand and body lotions, acne treatments, body washes, and deodorants. Some of these are the most sensitive parts of the body, especially for young girls, and we're left wondering what kinds of chemical ingredients they are applying on their bodies. Because I don't think they teach words like "thimerosal" in fifth grade English class.