Show your hands, which of us can relate to the following 90s teen skin care routine: Bioré Pore Patch, followed by Noxzema pad and finished with St. Ives. And maybe even a step or two in Clinique’s cleansing/toning/moisturizing collection? Of course, bought in the mall.
Let’s go a few steps further. You apply all of that while muttering Alanis Morissette’s lyrics blaring from your CD player while trying to beat your uninvited acne. Nostalgia aside, if this scenario rings, you’re probably your own parent angry teen or tween. But instead of using Seventeen like the bible of their beauty, they turn to TikTok, YouTube and “skinfluencers” tout top products. Instead of letting your vulnerable teens fall for the internet skincare trends, consider offering a little helpful hold.
Featured image of Winnie Au.
I get it: Maybe you’re at a stage where your teen no longer trusts your judgment in the “what’s cool” area. But your years of experience will give you seniority — in a good way. By introducing your test teens to expert-recommended cleansers and moisturizers, you’ll know they’re using products that really support their hormonal teen skin. Plus, you can save the entire family a lot of unnecessary behind-the-scenes bathroom tears.
I sat down with Austin esthetician Rita Marroquin about clear skin Calm Skincare Studio, for the scoop on the best teen skin care routines. Keep scrolling and learn how to help your child maintain radiant skin and confidence from the inside out.
When do teens need to start a skin care routine?
That’s very personal to teenagers. I’m even afraid to use the word “habit” when it comes to adults. I prefer “routine” because skin is always changing. Starting to adopt healthy skin habits can happen very early. As hormones and life (sports, extracurricular activities, etc.) begin to produce changes in the skin, your child can cultivate other habits more carefully.
How many times a day should teenagers do their skin care routine?
This is also really subjective. A healthy habit is to wash your face 1-2 times per day, depending on your teen’s skin condition. It’s also important to hydrate the skin with a toner/hydrosol and a moisturizer (or facial oil) twice daily.
What should their skincare steps include?
For teenagers and young adults, it’s best to start with something simple and doable. They usually shower at night, so you should ask them to use a gentle cleanser while in there. Sometimes, a single step at the sink is too much! After cleanser, moisturizing with a moisturizer right after is key.
What would you consider non-negotiable in their routine?
Clean! Especially if sport is a part of their life. They might be sitting on the bus or car after a sweaty match, so it’s best to get your skin cleaned as soon as possible.
What are the important things to look for in detergents?
Make sure they are gentle. Oil-based cleaners are best, as they regulate oil production. Jojoba oil is also very good.
When it comes to acne-prone skin, what’s important to keep in mind?
Acne is almost inevitable for teenage skin. Often, teenagers don’t want to moisturize (I see this most often with boys), so the result is skin that’s acne-prone, red, and inflamed. We want to nourish and support our skin, so moisture is essential.
Any are not need awareness about?
I see a lot of teenagers LOVE buying skin care products on Instagram or TikTok. But they are stripping the skin of its barrier function by using more than 6 products a day! More is just more, not better.
Cleansers and moisturizers are key. IF treatment is needed, a cleanser with salicylic acid is great. Balancing teenagers’ sebum production is a challenge (hormones are real at this age). It can be counterintuitive, especially if your teen is having a flare-up, but providing moisture and hydration to the skin will help regulate the body’s sebum. I found my skin to become inflamed from over-exfoliation and peeling.
Thinking about topical retinol and benzoyl peroxide and Rx treatments?
I’m not a big fan of teen benzoyl peroxide. It is extremely harsh and can make the skin more vulnerable to external factors. Bacteria are everywhere, especially on the hands of teenagers, and they tend to touch their faces a lot. Again, I think supporting the skin’s barrier function with moisture is key; Its biggest job is to regulate the water content of the skin.
Dehydrated skin, anger is common because teenagers do not provide moisture to the skin! During my teen facials, it’s not uncommon for me to see lots of blackheads. But it’s difficult for me to extract them due to tight skin condition. Sometimes retinoids can help (I like Differinavailable over-the-counter), but even then, moisture monitoring is a must!
Acne is caused by many factors and it is difficult to determine the cause or cause. Genetics plays a role, as does the gut microbiome. If your child eats a lot of milk or sugar, it can show up on the skin. I also see a LOT of stressed teenagers. That certainly contributes to the condition of the skin.
Advice on what to do with a milia that won’t go away?
Don’t turn them on. It doesn’t really end well and the chances of bruising or prolonged post-inflammatory pigmentation (redness) are high. Spot treatment with Manuka honey is one of my favorite tips!
What is your favorite natural skin mask?
I love a yogurt mask. Apply on full fat organic PLAIN yogurt. It’s a great mask. Loaded with gentle lactic acid, it exfoliates without stripping the skin’s microbiome and is chock full of good bacteria. Love and cherish! Do it once or twice a week.
What is the best sunscreen for teenagers?
Regularly applying sunscreen is actually a good habit to have. Remember: sun damage is cumulative. The severe burns your 14-year-old will totally contribute to hyperpigmentation in their 30s and 40s. I prefer a broad spectrum mineral block — look for a physical block (zinc or titanium dioxide) rather than a chemical one. .
When should teens see a specialist for skin support?
Again, starting with healthy habits is key. The goal is healthy skin, not perfect skin. There are a lot of hormones at this age – flare-ups are completely normal. Continue to repeat and talk about routines with your child. A dermatologist can help with that routine, but breakouts are more common.
Keep scrolling for Rita’s favorite product for teen and teen skin.
Detergents
Sunscreen
Face creams and oils
