The Ultimate Guide to Teen Skincare: Expert tips for Healthy, Confident Skin

The obsession with skincare amongst teens definitely signifies a shift where self-care and appearance are being valued higher than ever before. Social media platforms have a lot to play in this with influencers constantly promoting skincare making it seem more and more accessible.
There is both a positive and negative impact of this trend, the increased awareness about skincare is great, as getting into good habits early will really future-proof the skin. However, there seems to be a pressure to have the ‘perfect’ skin, and thus teen are adopting complex skincare regimes with a view to achieve the unachievable, and very often damaging their skin in the process.

What a Teens skincare routine should look like
A teens skincare routine should be simple yet effective, there are many teenagers now being led by social media and introducing multiple unnecessary products into their regime.

The focus should be skin health maintenance, and preventing issues like acne without overloading or striping the skin.

Generally a teens skincare regime should consist of a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. All formulated for their specific skin type and condition. If they are dealing with a skin condition such as acne then a specific treatment product may be introduced, but always get advice. It’s when the teens start guessing or following TikTok trends that things can get messy.

A skincare routine should be followed both morning and night, to both remove any impurities, pollution, and makeup from the day, and to remove sweat and waste products that are secreted from the skin at night.

Managing Oily or Acne-prone skin
Oily and acne skins need to firstly ascertain their skin type, acne can affect dry skins also, so using products that are designed for an acne skin can very often dry the skin out, exacerbating the condition.
If the skin is oily then look for a gentle salicylic cleanser that can be alternated with a normal cleanser so not to over treat the skin. Non-comedogenic products will help reduce the potential of breakouts from a certain product. Clay masks are also great for absorbing excess oil and purifying the skin.

What Products Should Teenagers Avoid
Products teenagers should avoid are the high-concentration retinoids, especially the prescription strength as these can be far too harsh for their skins. Physical exfoliants are also a no-no, these are very often used too aggressively and can really damage the skin causing micro-tears in the epidermis. A mild chemical exfoliant, like lactic acid and salicylic are better.
Alcohol based toners, can give that squeaky clean feel to the skin I know many teens are looking for, however this is just an indication that the skin has been stripped of its natural oils, and this can lead to further breakouts.

Must-Have School Skincare Staples
Some school staples in terms of skincare are, a good compact SPF to reapply throughout those bright sunny days, even in winter. Blotting papers are great for absorbing excess oils and taking the shine away, as well as a spot treatment that can be applied to any blemishes whilst at school. If a teen is dealing with dry skin, then a moisturising or hydrating mist to give a little relief through the day is also beneficial.

What Should Parents do if Their Teen Has Severe Acne
For any parents dealing with a teenager with severe acne it’s imperative to seek professional advice. Severe acne not only a medical condition, but can very often be treated differently on different people. In many cases it’s a case of management rather than clearing it up altogether.
Taking a proactive but supportive approach to help their teen manage the condition, can improve both their skin and emotional well-being.

Here at re/skin we see many Teens, we focus on educating them on why their skin is behaving this way, put them on a simple but effective skincare regime and if necessary see them regularly for treatments to further manage their skin.

If you have or are a Teen looking for help with your skin, our Teen facials are for you. Your first treatment will last around 1.5 hour and you will receive a full size cleanser to take away with you to get you on the road to healthier skin. You can book your appointment here or drop us an email with any questions you may have, we are dedicated to ‘changing lives one skin at a time’ and would love to help you with yours!

My Top Picks To Go With My Top Tips

Want to know 3 top products to improve
your skin?

Let’s admit it! We would all like to have beautiful skin. But there are occasions when we might not be sure which products would be best for our skin or even which adjustments would be most beneficial. This week, Rebecca from ReSkin Clinic will share with you some of her favourite products that might assist you in following the suggestions and leave you achieving fantastic skin.

Dermaviduals Cleansing Milk

(If you know, you know) I am completely in love with this cleanser! Most of my customers will agree that this is the best cleaner I have ever had the opportunity to keep in stock. The DMS cleansing milk is gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive skins. Because it has a dermal membrane structure, it is skin-identical. There is not a single ingredient in this cleanser that the
skin cannot recognise, and there is also nothing that can disrupt the skin’s natural protective barrier. Remove impurities and makeup, including mascara, in a manner that is extraordinarily delicate but still highly efficient. Do not pass up the opportunity to cleanse with anything like this. It fulfils all the requirements one would have for an effective cleanser.

Dermaviduals Enzyme Skin Renewal

Another best seller! The very outermost layer of the skin can be gently sloughed off with the help of this enzyme powder. It loosens and eliminates any skin cells lingering around a bit longer than they should be, but it leaves the rest of the skin cells alone, ensuring that the barrier is maintained in a healthy and robust state. It works wonders on under-the-skin bumps that won’t go away for people with sensitive skin and those with other skin types. This is the product for you if you want your skin to have a clear and smooth appearance.

AlumierMD Moisture Matte Sunscreen

I usually say products can’t multitask, but this one can. On the one hand, it is an excellent broad-spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants, providing essential protection against the sun. On the other hand, the antioxidants give it an additional anti-ageing kick. And the other, it’s a basis for everything! Therefore, using this product will allow you to maintain the colour and coverage of your makeup while keeping it in place. It’s possible that you won’t ever need to buy another foundation again! This product can help prevent premature ageing of the skin by providing the skin with additional moisture, thereby making the skin appear more youthful and revitalised.

Conclusion to prevent premature ageing

There you have it! The three top products that many of my clients and I have in their skincare armour. The health of your skin ought to be your primary concern when it comes to using skin care products. Don’t fall for the marketing hype around new-to-market products. And instead, spend time looking at the details and, where possible, speak to a skin care professional like
myself or anyone in my team at ReSkin Clinic. Some of the products above can only be sold after a consultation with us, so please get in touch and book a short consultation. Don’t let this put you off. See it as a positive. Our skin is literally the biggest organ in our bodies and one of the most complicated. It acts as the barrier keeping everything in via an airtight, watertight shield. You must protect this. Thank you for reading, and as ever, I or anyone at the clinic is here for any advice. Just get in touch with
any questions.