Essential Tips for Caring for Teenage Skin and Complexion

Developing a Skin Care Routine for Teens

Going through puberty brings many changes, including changes to the skin. As hormones fluctuate during the teenage years, it is common to experience increased oil production, acne breakouts, and sensitivity. While it can be frustrating dealing with new skin issues, implementing a proper skin care routine can help teens take control of their complexion.

Understanding Teen Skin

There are a few key things that tend to characterize teenage skin:

• Oily skin - Higher hormone levels increase sebum production, leading to extra oily skin, especially across the forehead, nose and chin (T-zone).
• Acne - Excess oil and dead skin cells can clog pores, allowing pimples, blackheads and whiteheads to form. These tend to crop up on the face, back, chest and shoulders.
• Enlarged pores - Increased oil takes its toll on pores, which can become dilated and more visible.
• Sensitivity - Changing hormone levels, along with lifestyle factors like stress and lack of sleep can make skin more prone to irritation and inflammation.

Key Tips for Caring for Teen Skin

There are a few guiding principles teens should keep in mind when tending to their skin:

• Gentleness - Because teen skin skews on the sensitive side, products and routines should be gentle and non-abrasive.
• Consistency - Following a routine consistently morning and night helps promote skin health.
• Sun protection - Exposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage and increase risk for things like skin cancer later in life. An SPF 30 (or higher) broad spectrum sunscreen should be worn daily.
• Avoid excessive scrubbing - Using harsh soaps, scrubs, etc. strips the skin and worsens problems.
• Hands off! - As tempting as it is, picking and popping pimples often makes them worse and ups the risk for scarring.

Creating a Skin Care Routine for Teenagers

When crafting a proper teenager skin care regimen, begin with a gentle cleanser. Look for foaming, creamy or gel cleansers that wash away dirt, oil and makeup without stripping the skin. Avoid harsh scrubs with particles, bars of soap, and products with fragrance and alcohol. The skin should feel clean but not overly tight after cleansing.

After cleansing it is smart to employ an acne-fighting ingredient like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid that gets inside congested pores to dissolve and flush away pore-clogging sebum, dead cells and bacteria. It helps treat existing breakouts and also prevents new ones from forming. Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial agent that attacks the acne-causing bacteria P. acnes to reduce infection and inflammation. Look for teen skin care products containing between 0.5 to 2% concentrations of these ingredients.

Teens struggling with multiple stubborn breakouts or red, inflamed acne may benefit from seeing a dermatologist about a prescription acne treatment plan. Topical retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A) like tretinoin and adapalene work within the skin to address multiple causes of acne. From clearing congested follicles and preventing dead cell buildup, to reducing oil production and fighting inflammation and bacteria - they powerfully treat acne and improve overall skin texture and tone.

Hydration is Key

One of the most critical elements of a skin care routine for teenagers is adequate hydration. Adolescent skin tends to run drier as sebum production spikes then falls. Drier environments indoors from artificial heating and cooling exacerbate this as can lifestyle factors like not drinking enough water throughout the day. Serums with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides are ideal for providing thirsty skin with a moisture boost.

Look for lightweight gels and water-based lotions that deliver hydration without clogging pores. Those dealing with extreme dryness and flaking may also benefit from an overnight mask treatment a few nights per week. In the morning, be sure to lock in moisture with an oil-free facial moisturizer containing SPF 30 or greater sun protection.

The Benefits of Exfoliation

Gently sloughing away dead cells through exfoliation is highly beneficial for teens. Not only does it praise smooth and radiant skin overall, it clears away the accumulation of dead cells and excess oil that clog pores. Just 1-2 times per week, use a gentle scrub containing soft jojoba beads or a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid. Avoid harsh physical scrubs with ingredients like crushed walnut shells or shards of apricot pit that can cause microtears.

Special Care for the Rest of the Body

While tending to facial skin might seem the top priority for teens, taking care of the rest of the body is key too. Breakouts on the chest, back and shoulders are very common during puberty. Using a body wash containing acne-fighting salicylic acid helps clear and prevent body breakouts without over-drying the skin. Exfoliating body washes can be used 1-2 times a week as well between regular gentle washes.

Be diligent about properly cleansing sweaty, dirty skin after activities where the body gets grimy. This includes using a cleanser designed for the face after exercise. Keeping clean helps control body acne breakouts.

Use a lightweight body lotion daily after bathing to replenish moisture. Look for formula containing antioxidants ingredients like vitamin C and E to nourish skin and neutralize damage from environmental aggressors.

Shopping for Teen Skin Care Products

The key is to keep things simple yet targeted when buying skin care products for teenagers. Gentle cleansers, acne treatments, oil-free moisturizers with SPF and periodic deep hydration and exfoliation are the pillars for a complete routine. When reviewing labels look for non-comedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free and dermatologist tested phrases.

Cleansers

Look for a creamy, foaming or gel cleanser free from harsh detergents and fragrances. Key ingredients like salicylic acid help eliminate existing breakouts and prevent new ones from occurring.

• CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
• Cetaphil Gentle Clear Foaming Acne Cleanser
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

Serums, Toners & Spot Treatments

These provide concentrated treatment to target, treat and prevent acne breakouts. Mainstay ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and sulfur help clear congested pores, reduce inflammation and control excess oil.

• Differin Oil Absorbing Acne Treatment
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment
• Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Moisturizers with SPF

Look for lightweight, fast absorbing facial lotions containing broad spectrum SPF 30 sun protection or higher. Additional ingredients like vitamin C, antioxidants and ceramides help hydrate and nourish skin.

• Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15
• Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Face Moisturizer
• Neutrogena Oil Free Face Moisturizer SPF 30

Masks & Scrubs

Use acne-fighting, complexion-clearing masks containing kaolin clay, charcoal and sulfur to reduce oil and treat breakouts. Exfoliating face scrubs with soft exfoliants gently buff away pore-clogging dead skin cells. Use 1-2 times a week between regular cleansing.

• Yes To Tomatoes Acne Fighting Super Mask
• St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
• Garnier Skinactive Clean Peel Scrub

Tips for Making a Teen Skin Care Routine Stick

1. Keep it simple - When starting out, stick to the basics like cleanser, acne treatment, moisturizer + SPF rather than tons of complex products.

2. Make it accessible - Store everyday teen skin care products together in an easy to access spot like the bathroom counter or shower caddy.

3. Automate reminders - Post reminders or set phone alerts for morning and evening to help turn teen skin care into a habit.

4. Lead by example - Demonstrate positive skin care habits yourself by openly following a skin care routine too.

5. Track progress - Using a skin journal to track breakouts and how products impact complexion helps teens see improvement.

6. Prompt gentle care - Provide tips for properly caring for teenage skin like avoiding harsh scrubbing, popping pimples and overwashing.

7. Seek professional help for severe acne - Make an appointment with a dermatologist for excessively inflamed cystic acne unresponsive to over-the-counter treatment.

With some guidance, education and high-quality products, teens can take control of their changing skin. Setting up the right preventative routine now lays the foundation for healthy, glowing skin long term.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.