'My 9-year-old asked to borrow my skincare. What she said next floored me.'

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When Kathy's nine-year-old daughter Ajda handed her a printed tween girl morning routine she'd found online, at first she didn't think much of it.

It was just another thing Ajda would be "so enthused about" for a little while.

"I think it came from a friend who got given the Bubble brand, which has beautiful packaging, all the pastel colours, and the girls go, 'Oh wow, look at that. I want that'," Kathy told Mamamia.

It went something like this:

• Wake up.

• Get out of bed when your alarm goes off.

• Take a moment to start the day with a smile.

• Freshen up and wash your face.

• Have a shower.

• Do your skincare — cleansing, hydration, masks.

• Have a healthy breakfast.

It seemed harmless enough at first, until Ajda started talking about the extras she wanted to add.

Aloe vera eye masks. Rose quartz rollers.

"What nine-year-old needs to use a roller on their face to drain fluid?"

Kathy reinforces that makeup is for special occasions, but Ajda loves playing with it. Image: Supplied.

Kathy knew it was time to talk.

"That's when I started saying, 'Ajda, you just need water and sunscreen'," Kathy said.

Kathy's message has always been simple: "Drink lots of water, put on sunscreen and eat healthy."

"Talking about skincare before the teenage years is not such a bad thing," she said.

Ajda has always loved being a "fancy" girl.

"If her friends come over, she's the one who will do their hair," Kathy said.

While Kathy's not one to wear much makeup herself, Ajda loves playing with it.

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Despite Kathy's efforts to keep Ajda away from social media and influencer marketing, her daughter's love of all things beauty continues to flourish.

For the most part, it doesn't bother Kathy. In her eyes, a little lip gloss and nail polish — all received as presents or bought with gift cards — on special occasions won't hurt.

"I feel like it's an extension of her love for drawing," Kathy said.

"As long I, as her mum, keep an eye on it, keep those positive body messages, then I think it's okay.

"I'm not spending my money on it, but I'm not making it a taboo."

Ajda loves herself inside and out and finds beauty fun. Image: Supplied.

What's important is Ajda's confidence is sky-high, bolstered by Kathy's messaging that self-love is important.

"She loves herself inside and out," Kathy said.

But when she noticed Ajda wanted to start using mascara, she intervened.

"I did buy her some cleansing wipes, but it's time to make that mascara disappear," Kathy said.

"I always say to her, it's for special occasions. I don't wear makeup every day."

While an interest in beauty and skincare is not cause for concern, focusing on products that are "obviously not needed", such as face masks, is a step too far for Kathy.

Kathy doesn't spend money on beauty products, but Ajda's collection seems to grow through presents and gift cards. Image: Supplied.

Moshy dermatologist Dr Ludi Ge agreed that parents should keep it simple when it comes to children's skincare.

"Young skin is delicate and still developing, which is really important to keep in mind for tweens and teenagers who are starting to use skincare products," Dr Ge said.

"The skin's collagen and barrier are still strong and introducing actives or facial tools like rollers can pose more risks than benefits."

If tweens are interested in using skincare, Dr Ge said the safest approach is a simple cleanse and moisturise routine and, of course, SPF.

"Exposure to skincare marketing and influencers can lead kids to try products that are unnecessary or potentially harmful," she said.

For teenagers, Dr Ge suggested opting for a simple cleanser morning and night.

For Kathy, it all comes back to communication. She knows every family has a different approach when it comes to beauty, but for her and Ajda, an open dialogue is the best way.

"She believes she is beautiful on the inside and outside and that's more important than, 'Does she use a lipbalm?'"

Feature image: Supplied.