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A Dermatologist's Guide to Simple Teen Skincare
Here's exactly what teen skincare should be, according to an expert.
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Like everything with teenagers, their skin can be unpredictable. Changing hormones, new hygiene practices (or lack thereof) and experimenting with beauty TikTok trends can impact the health of their skin.
With so much information out there, it's hard to tell what they really need to use. We consulted Dr. Charlie Dunn of Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery on what teens need (and don't need!) for a healthy skincare routine.
What makes teen skincare different than adult skincare?
While adult skincare is typically catered toward dullness and aging, teen skincare is geared towards cleansing and managing conditions like acne and dry or oily skin. Teen skincare is often gentler as well, since the products used in adult skincare can be harsher which is damaging for teen's skin barrier.
What is a good routine for tweens/teens to have?
Skincare is personal and one person's routine may not work for another. I typically recommend a simple, gentle skincare routine for common problems that plague teens' skin.
It's important to begin skincare routines with a face cleanser. For teens, especially those with oily and acne-prone skin, a face cleanser cleans the skin and clears pores that may be clogged.
Clogged pores, when left untreated, can eventually cause the skin to become irritated and inflamed. I recommend teens use a face cleanser in the morning and at night.
After washing their face, teens should pat their skin dry and use a moisturizer. Moisturizers hydrate and calm the skin and are integral in fighting dry skin and reducing premature aging. Like cleansers, there are moisturizers available for every skin type.
Lastly, I recommend sunscreen for every skincare routine, not just for teenagers. Sunscreen is influential in protecting against harmful UV rays and can help to protect the skin's barrier and limit the risk of wrinkles or sunspots. Teens can use sunscreen after applying moisturizer or purchase moisturizers that include sunscreen.
Today, many makeup brands even include sunscreen in their products. Regardless of how it is used, sunscreen is an important step in skincare routines to help slow aging and improve overall skin health.
Face cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are the three products needed for an effective skincare routine. From there, teens can begin to incorporate other products that may treat their specific skin concerns.
Teens/tweens these days are really into a more is better approach buying up all the serums at Sephora and trying anything a beauty influencer tells them. Is more always better? Can using anti-aging when young have a negative impact?
No, more is not better. Teens should try not to overuse treatments, as that can clog pores and lead to inflamed and irritated skin. Harsh anti-aging products, such as retinoids, should not be used by teens as they can damage the skin’s barrier and cause breakouts, inflammation or dryness.
Are there products or brands you WOULD recommend buying? Should they be child/teen specific?
Teens don't need to use child/teen-specific products, if the products they are using are gentle. I recommend determining your teen's skin type (dry, oily, combination or acne-prone) and purchasing products that are compatible with and designed to treat their skin's condition. I recommend a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.
From there, teens can begin to incorporate other products that may treat their specific skin type.
Acne gels, for example, are beneficial in treating painful or inflamed acne spots, as the gel works to target clogged pores and acne-causing bacteria. These gels can help to reduce inflammation and exfoliate dead skin cells. Popular acne treatments often include salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These products can cause dry skin so it's important to moisturize while using them.
For teenagers with dry skin, niacinamide is a serum that boosts the skin's appearance, making it appear plumper and more hydrated. Vitamin C can be a great product for teens with dark spots or dull skin, as it helps to brighten the skin's barrier.
Teenage-hood is obviously a popular time for hormones to be changing and with that skin. How often should teens revisit their skincare routine?
Teens should prioritize consistency in their skincare routines as that will help them achieve their best results. Should their skin continue to react poorly to their routine, they can slowly incorporate new products into their routine. I don't recommend trying an entirely new skincare routine at once though as that can cause breakouts.
If the teen is not having any luck managing their skin, I recommend visiting a board-certified dermatologist who can help properly diagnose the skin and offer a more personalized skincare routine or treatment.
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