Parents Condemn The Entertainer for Stocking 'Creepy' Skincare Products for Children
Britain's biggest toy chain, The Entertainer, has come under fire from concerned parents who accuse it of selling 'creepy' and unsuitable products for kids. The retailer, which operates 160 stores across the UK, has begun stocking items from the beauty brand Sol Beauty, including oils, serums, and moisturisers. These products, available both in-store and online, are marketed as part of a four-step skincare routine designed to give children a 'natural glow up'.
Social Media Outrage Over Inappropriate Displays
The controversy erupted after a shopper posted a picture on X of a Sol Beauty stand in one of The Entertainer's stores. The display showcased serums, cleansers, and body creams, accompanied by the slogan '4 steps to a natural glow up' and a photograph of a young girl cleansing her face. Parents quickly took to social media to express their dismay, with one reply describing the setup as 'sad'.
Another user wrote, 'Also calling it a 'glow up'…why do kids need to have a 'glow up', let them have a childhood ffs. it's so sad.' Agreeing, a further comment stated, 'So very, very depressing.' Many labelled the display as 'just plain creepy', with one person noting, 'Then again, with Claire's closing down maybe The Entertainer sees an opening, bizarre as it seems…'
Criticism of Owners and Product Appropriateness
Some parents directed their anger at The Entertainer's owners, Catherine and Gary Grant, who are known as devout Christians. One woman pointed out, 'When discussing how their Christian faith influences what they stock, the owners of The Entertainer said they only want to stock ‘wholesome’ products. What the f**k is wholesome about having little girls grow up too quickly by making them think they need skincare routines.'
Others echoed this sentiment, with comments like 'this is so weird' and 'ok year that is strange.' A particularly strong reaction came from a user who exclaimed, 'Can we not just let kids be kids anymore? For f**k sake!'
Defence and Retailer Response
Not everyone agreed with the backlash. One user argued, 'It's skin care stop acting like it's s*x toys.' Another supported this view, adding, 'I don’t see nothing wrong with this . It’s skin care. What’s wrong with that? Superdrug and Boots sell skin care /make up aimed for teenagers!'
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for The Entertainer stated, 'As a national retailer we seek to serve a wide range of tastes and preferences with a great variety of high quality and safe products. These include some branded skincare products that are widely available at other UK retailers and comply fully and without exception to UK cosmetics regulations, with full details available for customers to view.'
The spokesperson also mentioned, 'Following feedback from some customers, we are undertaking additional review processes with all our suppliers of skincare products.' This move indicates the retailer is taking the concerns seriously, though it remains to be seen how this will affect future stock decisions.
