Key takeaways
- Pipa Skin Care was founded by Kristi Kubler, a licensed esthetician with 10 years of experience, after she couldn't find safe, age-appropriate skincare for her own tween daughter.
- Every Pipa product is formulated specifically for ages 8 to 13, not adapted from an adult or baby line, and is reviewed by chemists, dermatologists, pediatricians, and endocrinologists before launch.
- Tween skin should avoid four categories of ingredients: exfoliating acids (AHAs, BHAs), retinoids, synthetic fragrance, and sulfates. These are common in adult and "clean" teen brands but inappropriate for developing skin.
- A complete tween routine is simple: cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. If it takes more than two minutes, it's too much for this age group.
- Best entry points into the line are the Start Young Bundle for first-time routines and Skin Saver for targeted breakouts, post-sport irritation, and sensitive skin.
When Kristi Kubler's 10-year-old daughter, Pipa, started asking for a real skincare routine, Kristi did what any mom with ten years of esthetician experience would do: she read the labels. What she found on Sephora and drugstore shelves was a problem. Retinol. Glycolic acid. Synthetic fragrance. Actives designed for 40-year-old skin.
That realization became Pipa Skin Care, a clean skincare line built specifically for kids ages 8 to 13 and named after her daughter. Since launching in early 2024, Pipa has been featured in British Vogue, Good Morning America, Oprah Daily, The New York Times, and FranceTV, growing almost entirely through word of mouth. Below, Kristi walks us through why she started the brand, how she formulates every product, and the questions parents ask most often before they buy.
Meet Kristina Kubler
Kristina Kubler is a licensed esthetician and mom of three. She has over ten years of experience in the beauty industry, working with clients across all ages and skin types. Originally from Venezuela, she studied business before pursuing her passion for beauty and eventually specializing in skincare after moving to the United States.
She is the co-founder and product formulator of Pipa Skin Care, which she started after recognizing that nothing on the market was appropriate for her own tweens' developing skin. The brand is named after her daughter's nickname.
The interview
Why did you create Pipa?
When my daughter asked for skincare, nothing on the shelves felt right. Adult products were too harsh and full of strong actives, and the so-called "kid" skincare wasn't effective. It felt more like play makeup than real skincare.
As both a mom and an esthetician, I felt that gap deeply. I wanted something safe, effective, and age-appropriate that my daughter could actually use without a fight. I created Pipa so parents like me could finally feel confident putting these products in their kids' hands.
What do you look for when creating a new product?
First, I ask myself: would I want this for my own kids? Every formula starts with a real need, like calming skin after sports practice or creating a quick routine that kids can do on their own. From there, I work closely with dermatologists and labs to make sure every formula is clean, non-toxic, dermatologist-approved, and rigorously tested. If my own daughter doesn't love it, it doesn't make the cut.
How do you make sure Pipa products are truly safe?
Safety is everything to me. I work with a team of experienced chemists, board-certified dermatologists, pediatricians, and endocrinologists to check every single ingredient before it ever goes into a formula.
We only partner with fully certified, carefully vetted labs that hold themselves to the highest standards for both safety and effectiveness. Then comes testing: every Pipa product is tried on hundreds of kids and tweens, including our team's own children, some of whom have very sensitive skin. If it doesn't pass the expert review and the real-world kid test, it never makes it to market.
The full list of what we avoid and why is laid out in our guide to ingredients to avoid in tween skincare.
How does Pipa compare to adult or luxury skincare brands?
Honestly, our standards are just as high as the adult and prestige brands out there. The difference is that we strip away the things young skin doesn't need (harsh actives, fragrance, and complicated steps) and focus on what actually matters: gentle, effective, science-backed ingredients that work.
Parents can rest easy knowing it's safe, while kids get the same level of quality you'd expect from high-end skincare. It's the best of both worlds.
Why is it so important for routines to be quick and easy?
Let's be real, tweens aren't going to stick to a 10-step routine. If it takes too long, it becomes a battle, or they stop seeing results and start experimenting with adult products that cause more harm than good. That's why every Pipa product is designed to be fast, easy, and pleasant to use. Our Squeaky Clean cleanser rinses off quickly, our moisturizer absorbs in seconds, and our sunscreen glides on without a white cast.
The easier it is, the more likely kids are to do it, morning and night, without being nagged. That's how healthy habits actually stick.
What's your favorite product right now?
I love them all, but lately I can't stop reaching for Squeaky Clean and Skin Saver. Squeaky Clean is the quickest, easiest way to wash off dirt, sweat, and sunscreen, especially on busy school days. And Skin Saver is our multitasking spray that calms redness, fights bacteria, and feels amazing after practice or play. Together, they keep my kids' skin fresh and healthy, morning and night.
What do you want other parents to know?
That I'm a mom just like them. I've worried about harsh ingredients, I've stressed over routines my kids didn't want to follow, and I've been frustrated by products that didn't deliver. Pipa was built to take away that stress for parents and kids, so skincare can be fun, safe, and effective from the very start.
What parents ask before buying Pipa
What makes Pipa different from Bubble, Evereden, or other kids' skincare brands?
Pipa is formulated specifically for the 8-to-13 age range by a licensed esthetician, not adapted from an adult or baby line. Every product is fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and free from hormone disruptors, and all are dermatologist- and pediatrician-approved.
The practical difference: many brands marketed as "clean" or "for tweens" still include synthetic fragrances, essential oils, or mild exfoliating acids. Pipa excludes all of them. The full ingredient list is published on every product page under "Full Transparency."
At what age should my child start using skincare?
Around age 8 to 10, most kids benefit from learning a simple two-step routine: a gentle cleanser and a lightweight moisturizer. That's it. The goal at this age is habit-building and barrier protection, not treating problems.
Active ingredients like retinol, AHAs, and BHAs aren't appropriate until at least the mid-teens, and even then only with guidance. For a full breakdown of what changes between the two stages, see our article on how tween skin differs from teen skin.
What should parents avoid when buying skincare for a tween?
Four categories of ingredients are the main concerns. First, exfoliating acids like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid, which can damage a developing skin barrier. Second, retinol and retinoids, which are unnecessary and can cause significant irritation on young skin. Third, synthetic fragrance, which can contain undisclosed chemicals including known hormone disruptors. The NIH has published research explaining why fragrance doesn't belong in tween skincare. Fourth, sulfates and harsh surfactants that strip the skin.
The simplest rule: if a product doesn't explicitly list its full ingredients and wasn't formulated for the 8-to-13 age range, assume it isn't appropriate.
Is it safe for a 9-year-old to have a full skincare routine?
Yes, if "full routine" means cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF during the day. That's the complete foundation for this age group. A 9-year-old doesn't need serums, toners, eye creams, acids, or anti-aging products. Most cause more harm than good on skin that hasn't finished developing.
A good rule of thumb: if the routine takes more than two minutes, it's too much. Simplicity protects the skin barrier and also makes it more likely the habit will actually stick.
Where to start with Pipa
For a first routine, the Start Young Bundle covers the basics: Squeaky Clean cleanser, Smooth Operator moisturizer, glow go face mist and a headband. For targeted breakouts or irritation, Skin Saver is the most-requested addition.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Pipa Skin Care?
Pipa was co-founded by three childhood friends from Venezuela: Kristina Kubler, a licensed esthetician and makeup artist; Clara Cárdenas, a former Meta growth marketer; and Corina Pfeffer, an industrial mathematician turned web developer. Kristi leads product formulation and the brand is named after her daughter.
Is Pipa Skin Care dermatologist-approved?
Yes. Every Pipa product is dermatologist-tested and pediatrician-approved. All formulas are free from parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, hormone disruptors, and gluten, and are made in the USA.
What age is Pipa Skin Care designed for?
Pipa is formulated specifically for ages 8 to 13, also known as the tween years. Products are gentle enough for younger kids starting their first skincare routine and suitable for early teens who want a clean, barrier-friendly foundation.
What is Pipa's most popular product?
The Start Young Bundle is our most popular purchase overall, offering a complete three-step routine designed specifically for young skin. It features our top-selling Squeaky Clean foaming cleanser, the refreshing Glow Go hydrating mist, and our Smooth Operator lightweight moisturizer. To make the routine even more fun, every bundle comes inside a custom gift box with a free Pipa headband and stickers for personalizing each bottle.
Is Pipa Skin Care safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. Pipa is formulated without common irritants including synthetic fragrance, essential oils, sulfates, and exfoliating acids. Skin Saver, the brand's hypochlorous acid spray, is specifically designed for reactive skin, eczema-prone skin, and post-sport irritation.
Where can I buy Pipa Skin Care?
Pipa is available at pipastics.com, on Amazon, through TikTok Shop, and in select Sprouts Farmers Market locations. The brand ships to more than 200 countries internationally.