How to Manage Teenage Skin
Caring for teenage skin comes with a number of unique challenges, from breakouts to sudden bouts of redness and sensitivity.
While skin changes during adolescence are completely normal, they can still be distressing. In this blog we’ll discuss skincare tips for teenagers and explain how to best manage the skin changes that come with puberty.
Why do teenagers experience skin changes?
Teens are susceptible to a range of skin conditions such as acne and breakouts due to the hormonal changes that come with puberty.
Certain hormones cause oil glands in the skin to become overactive and produce additional sebum, or skin oil.
This oil can clog pores, and when the oil becomes trapped alongside dead skin cells and bacteria, the result is blackheads, pimples, and potentially more severe forms of acne such as pustules and cysts.
Teenage skin may additionally become more sensitive and reactive as it adapts to these changes. Many also see changes in skin texture and may experience dry patches, increased roughness, or uneven tone, especially in areas prone to breakouts.
While many issues will resolve themselves with time, a gentle skincare routine and some basic self-care tips can ease symptoms in the meantime.
What products are best for teenage skin?
When choosing products for teenage skin, it is important to opt for products that are gentle, lightweight and hydrating.
As you’ll be trying to manage excess oil production, avoid heavier creams and oil-based products. You want to look for things that are ‘non-comedogenic’, meaning they are less likely to clog pores.
You should also avoid products that contain alcohol, fragrance, or harsh exfoliants, as these might do more harm than good. More advanced ingredients like retinol should also be avoided at this age.
Skincare regimen for teenage skin:
1. Cleanser: Choose between Braveheart and Heartfelt.
Braveheart is our foaming gel cleanser that’s best suited to oily skin types. It melts away grime, dirt and oil, leaving silky smooth skin behind.
Heartfelt is our rose cream cleanser that’s best suited to sensitive skin types. If you find your skin is reactive or gets red easily, Heartfelt will be the better option.
How to use: Cleanse your skin as the first step in your regimen both morning and evening. If you wear make-up, double cleanse at the end of the day to remove it.
2. Hydrating serum: Glam Squad.
Glam Squad is our water-based, oil-free Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B serum. Gentle, lightweight and suitable for all skin types, it’s perfect for keeping your skin healthy and hydrated.
How to use: Dispense one pump and apply to your face and neck every morning and evening after cleansing. Let it absorb fully before you apply your next product.
3. Face treatment for oily t-zone: Game Changer.
Game Changer is your best bet for targeting red and congested skin. This lightweight gel glides on effortlessly and works to reduce excess oil, clarify pores, and calm the skin.
How to use: Game Changer can be applied once a day in the AM or reserved for whenever you experience breakouts and redness. Particularly apply to the oily t-zone (nose, cheeks and chin). Apply after Glam Squad but before your moisturiser.
4. Moisturiser: Choose between Superhero and Power Broker.
Superhero is our all-rounder moisturiser that provides hydration, barrier support and antioxidant protection to promote skin health and integrity. Normal, dry and oily skin types will benefit.
Power Broker is our moisturiser for red and sensitive skin types. It provides skin nourishment and hydration while also calming the skin and addressing the appearance of redness.
How to use: Apply morning and evening as the last step in your regimen, but before sunscreen.
5. Sunscreen: Superstar.
Round out your regimen with Superstar, our broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen that’s suitable for children and sensitive skin types. Superstar is a physical sunscreen, meaning it contains no nasty chemicals that could harm you or the environment.
How to use: Dispense a pump and warm the product by rubbing between your fingers, then pat it onto the skin as the final step in your morning regimen. Superstar comes in a handy portable bottle so you can take it with you and apply throughout the day.
General tips for managing teenage skin
1. Establish good habits. Caring for your skin is an extension of caring for yourself. It’s essential to prioritise a healthy lifestyle and ensure you get enough sleep, drink enough water, and eat a balanced diet.
You should also practice good hygiene. Wash your clothes, sheets and pillowcases regularly to avoid a build-up of bacteria and dead skin cells that might aggravate your skin.
2. Take care when using make-up. Make-up might feel like the perfect solution to skin woes, but certain products can make things worse by clogging pores and suffocating the skin when left on too long.
If you must wear make-up, look for oil-free and silicone-free products. Lightweight mineral make-up is typically best for breakout-prone skin.
Don’t layer make-up on too thickly, and ensure you remove it thoroughly before bed.
3. Don’t pop pimples! It might be tempting to squeeze those blemishes, but popping pimples can push bacteria deeper into the skin, potentially worsening the problem and spreading the infection.
Popping also comes with the risk that you will develop scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots).
Instead of popping, apply gentle spot treatments where appropriate and let the pimples resolve themselves with time.
We hope this blog has helped you in your quest to manage teenage skin. For additional advice and support, you can contact us to book a skin consult on 03 9826 9988. Our friendly dermal clinicians will be happy to discuss any concerns or questions you might have.
