What Age Should You Start Skincare?

You can start basic skincare around <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://health.choc.org/preteens-and-skincare-what-parents-should-know/" target="_blank">ages 8-10</a>, with the focus on cleansing and sun protection. Treatment-based products, such as acne treatments, should be introduced later, in skincare for teenagers. A basic skincare routine should include a gentle, sulfate-free, non-drying cleanser and a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

Is Hyaluronic Acid Safe for Teens?

Hyaluronic acid is safe for teens as it’s a hydrating ingredient naturally found in skin. It’s also gentle and great for a comprehensive skincare routine for teens. As a humectant, hyaluronic acid draws moisture from deep within the skin and from the air to the skin’s surface. It should always be topped with a moisturizer.

Is Salicylic Acid OK for Teens?

Salicylic acid is OK for teens in moderation. Apply your salicylic acid products starting just once a day to see how your skin reacts. If your skin can tolerate the product, you can gradually increase usage as needed or directed by your doctor. Opt for formulas with 0.5-2% concentrations of salicylic acid and monitor your skin’s response throughout the process.

Is Lactic Acid Good for Teen Skin?

Lactic acid is good for teen skin when applied in moderation and initially in low concentrations. Compared to stronger actives, lactic acid is well suited for sensitive or breakout-prone teen skin. Lactic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) known for exfoliating the skin, fading dark spots, and brightening skin tone.<br />

What’s the Best Way to Prevent Acne in Teens?

The best way to prevent acne in teens is by cleansing regularly, avoiding harsh scrubs, not picking at your skin, and using acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and niacinamide. Hydration and sun protection are also important in skincare for teens. Dehydrated skin can overproduce sebum, which can lead to more acne. Additionally, SPF can prevent UV damage that can worsen acne scars.

How Often Should Teens Wash Their Face?

Teens should wash their face once or twice daily: once after waking up and/or before bed. They can wash their face an additional time if they’ve been sweating or have just exercised, but they should use a gentle cleanser. Steer clear of cleansers with sulfate, which can strip the skin of moisture.

What Skincare Ingredients Should Teens Avoid?

Teens should avoid skincare ingredients that are harsh or potentially irritating, such as high concentrations of retinoids, strong exfoliants, alcohol-based products, and artificial fragrances. In a teen skincare routine, less is more, and overusing actives can aggravate skin issues or even lead to dry, itchy, inflamed skin.

Should Teens With Oily Skin Use Moisturizer?

Teens with oily skin should use moisturizer as should teens with any other skin type. Good skincare for teens will always include moisturizer because moisture is necessary for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Among the best skincare products for teens is a lightweight, oil-free or gel-based moisturizer, which will hydrate skin without clogging pores.

SKINCARE FOR TEENS

Q: Is Hyaluronic Acid Safe for Teens?

Hyaluronic acid is safe for teens as it&rsquo;s a hydrating ingredient naturally found in skin. It&rsquo;s also gentle and great for a comprehensive skincare routine for teens. As a humectant, hyaluronic acid draws moisture from deep within the skin and from the air to the skin&rsquo;s surface. It should always be topped with a moisturizer.

Wide Angle Shot Of Gen Z Group Of Friends Using A Smartphone Together

Being a teen is tough enough without skin changes adding to the stress. And because teen skin is often sensitive, changeable, and affected by hormones, skincare for teens can be overwhelming to navigate, at least at first. If you’re a teen seeking guidance on how to care for your skin, we’re here to help. We share an easy-to-follow (and easy-to-tweak) skincare routine for teens so you can take back control. As you’ll soon find out, consistency and gentle products go a long way toward getting your skin to cooperate.

Common Teen Skin Concerns

Hormonal changes drive many common teen skin concerns, such as acne, blackheads, oiliness, dryness, and irritation. For some teens, such changes increase sebum production, leading to blemishes such as acne and blackheads, whereas for others, hormonal fluctuations leave their skin dry and irritated.

Lifestyle triggers are also a factor. When improperly removed, sweat from exercise or sports and makeup with certain ingredients can clog pores. Additionally, lack of sleep can disrupt hormone production, raising cortisol levels and causing sebum production to go into overdrive.

There’s no need to freak out, though. These common teen skin concerns are normal and manageable with the right routine.

Key Ingredients to Look for in Teen Skincare Products

Compared to adult skin, teen skin tends to be oilier, more acne-prone, and more changeable. As a result, teens may benefit from using the following gentle and effective ingredients in their skincare:

●  Witch hazel: reduces acne and irritation, minimizes pores, and controls oil
●  Salicylic acid: unclogs pores, reduces acne and blackheads, and improves skin texture
●  Lemongrass: treats oily skin, fights acne, and has antioxidants
●  Snow mushroom: hydrates skin, has antioxidant properties, and soothes hydration
●  Hyaluronic acid: hydrates skin and improves skin texture
●  Aloe vera: has anti-inflammatory properties, moisturizes, and fights acne

Teens should avoid high-potency actives, which can irritate their skin. If using a strong active, teens should practice moderation or look for options that aren’t irritating.

Thayers’ gentle formulations are perfect for teen skincare routines and contain all the teen-skin-friendly ingredients listed above: witch hazel, salicylic acid, lemongrass, snow mushroom, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera.

The Best Skincare Routine for Teens: Step-by-Step Guide

The best skincare for teens includes the basics: cleanser, moisturizer, and sun protection. In the beginning, stick to those three steps in our skincare routine for teens. As soon as you’re comfortable, you can upgrade to the full regimen. No matter what, consistency is key to getting the best results.

1. Use a Gentle Cleanser

A staple in skincare for teens, cleansers remove dirt, oil, and sweat that can clog pores, giving skin a “clean slate” for other products. Wash your face with a cleanser once or twice daily and be sure to use a gentle formula — one that’s non-stripping and sulfate-free, like our pH Balancing Daily Cleanser — so it doesn’t dry out your skin.

Teenage girl using a toner pad to apply toner to her face as she smiles at the camera.

2. Apply Toner

Often considered an optional skincare step, toner can easily become a teen skincare VIP depending on your skincare goals. If you want to refresh and balance your skin, especially oily or acne-prone skin that is common among teens, consider using a toner that’s alcohol-free with calming or clarifying ingredients. Thayers offers many types of toners for different skin concerns, including our 2% Blemish Clearing AHA Toner, made with salicylic acid for clarifying, and our Cucumber Facial Toner, made with cucumber and aloe vera, for calming.

Young Man With Acne Problem On His Face Looks In The Mirror In The Bathroom At Home

3. Apply Acne Spot Treatment

If you deal with acne, a simple, targeted acne spot treatment, which quickly shrinks pimples, will be your best friend. Acne spot treatments contain known acne fighters; ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur, niacinamide, or glycolic acid are recommended for teens. Once you find the acne spot treatment for you, start with a single application daily and then gradually increase usage to up to three times daily as needed or directed by a doctor. Do not overuse your acne spot treatment or apply it to your entire face.

Teenage Girl Applying Serum From A Dropper Bottle During Her Skincare Routine At Home

4. Use a Gentle Serum

Lightweight and fast-absorbing, serums address numerous issues such as dryness, dullness, and acne. Try serums with a combination of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid to hydrate and control oil.

If you have pimples, select a serum, like our Double Action Acne Serum, that’ll treat acne without stripping your skin.

When using any serum, start with a single application daily, then gradually increase to two or three times a day as needed or directed by your doctor.

5. Apply Moisturizer

One of the best skincare products for teens, moisturizers help hydrate and seal in moisture to support the skin barrier. They’re a must for every skin type, even oily skin, as all skin requires moisture to be healthy. Lightweight, non-clogging moisturizers with ingredients like snow mushroom, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter are great options for teen skin.

Hispanic Boy With Sun Tan Lotion On Face

6. Use Sunscreen (Morning Only)

A skin care routine for teens should always include sunscreen. Your teen years are the perfect time to get in the habit of wearing sunscreen, which helps protect against UV damage that can lead to premature aging and health issues in the future. In general, lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30 are recommended for daily use on teen skin.

Best Skincare Products for Teens

BLEMISH CLEARING 2% BHA PADS

Clears acne + Helps prevent new breakouts

BLEMISH CLEARING 2% BHA TONER

Clears acne + Helps prevent new breakouts

PH BALANCING GENTLE CLEANSER WITH ALOE VERA

Deeply cleanses without stripping

ROSE PETAL FACIAL TONER MIST

8 hour hydration

Teen Skincare Mistakes to Avoid

From overwashing to skipping sunscreen, these mistakes can cause teen skin to rebel. Avoid these mistakes when doing your skincare routine.

Overwashing

Although cleansing the skin can help oily and acne-prone skin, overdoing it can have the opposite effect, stripping the skin and leading to more oil or breakouts. When acne flare-ups happen, remain consistent with your routine.

Picking at Acne

Picking at your skin comes with a bunch of risks, from causing more breakouts to scarring. Resist the urge to pop your zits and, instead, leave it to your teen acne skincare to deal with your pimples.

Skipping Sunscreen

We can’t emphasize it enough, but sunscreen is one of the most important skincare products for teens. UV damage starts young and can worsen acne scars, so don’t skip sunscreen in the morning. If you were ever wondering, the answer is yes, you need to apply sunscreen even on cloudy days. UV rays can make their way to your skin by passing through clouds.

Teen Skincare FAQs

You can start basic skincare around ages 8-10, with the focus on cleansing and sun protection. Treatment-based products, such as acne treatments, should be introduced later, in skincare for teenagers. A basic skincare routine should include a gentle, sulfate-free, non-drying cleanser and a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Hyaluronic acid is safe for teens as it’s a hydrating ingredient naturally found in skin. It’s also gentle and great for a comprehensive skincare routine for teens. As a humectant, hyaluronic acid draws moisture from deep within the skin and from the air to the skin’s surface. It should always be topped with a moisturizer.
Salicylic acid is OK for teens in moderation. Apply your salicylic acid products starting just once a day to see how your skin reacts. If your skin can tolerate the product, you can gradually increase usage as needed or directed by your doctor. Opt for formulas with 0.5-2% concentrations of salicylic acid and monitor your skin’s response throughout the process.
Lactic acid is good for teen skin when applied in moderation and initially in low concentrations. Compared to stronger actives, lactic acid is well suited for sensitive or breakout-prone teen skin. Lactic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) known for exfoliating the skin, fading dark spots, and brightening skin tone.
The best way to prevent acne in teens is by cleansing regularly, avoiding harsh scrubs, not picking at your skin, and using acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and niacinamide. Hydration and sun protection are also important in skincare for teens. Dehydrated skin can overproduce sebum, which can lead to more acne. Additionally, SPF can prevent UV damage that can worsen acne scars.
Teens should wash their face once or twice daily: once after waking up and/or before bed. They can wash their face an additional time if they’ve been sweating or have just exercised, but they should use a gentle cleanser. Steer clear of cleansers with sulfate, which can strip the skin of moisture.
Teens should avoid skincare ingredients that are harsh or potentially irritating, such as high concentrations of retinoids, strong exfoliants, alcohol-based products, and artificial fragrances. In a teen skincare routine, less is more, and overusing actives can aggravate skin issues or even lead to dry, itchy, inflamed skin.
Teens with oily skin should use moisturizer as should teens with any other skin type. Good skincare for teens will always include moisturizer because moisture is necessary for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Among the best skincare products for teens is a lightweight, oil-free or gel-based moisturizer, which will hydrate skin without clogging pores.