health
Italy investigates Sephora and Benefit over skincare marketing to children
Italy's competition authority said the LVMH-owned cosmetic brands Sephora and Benefit used an "insidious marketing strategy" to appeal to tween consumers.
TL;DR
- Italian regulators are investigating Sephora and Benefit for marketing skincare to children.
- The brands are accused of unfair commercial practices, encouraging 'cosmeticorexia' in minors.
- Products, including those with anti-aging ingredients, were marketed to children under 10 without adequate precautions.
- An 'insidious marketing strategy' involving young micro-influencers was employed.
- Inspections were carried out at the premises of Sephora Italia, LVMH Profumi e Cosmetici Italia, and LVMH Italia.
- LVMH stated their willingness to cooperate with authorities and reaffirmed compliance with regulations.
- The 'Sephora kids' trend on social media shows teenagers buying numerous skincare products.
- Studies indicate that many influencer skincare videos lack proper promotional tags and contain potentially irritating ingredients.
- This investigation coincides with global discussions and actions regarding social media bans for children and legal cases against social media companies for harms caused to minors.