Skincare for kids aged 10

What should a 10 year old use morning and night?

1. 1Cleanse gently. Wash the face once or twice daily with a gentle facial cleanser, without harsh scrubbing. For dry or sensitive skin, washing once in the evening can be enough.
2. 2Moisturize. Use a simple fragrance free facial moisturizer to help with dryness and itchiness. Add moisturizer at night if the skin feels dry, and choose a texture suited to the child's skin.
3. 3Apply sunscreen each morning. Choose broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreen is the last step after moisturizer, and outdoor use needs reapplication.

If a child wears makeup, remove it before bed. A makeup remover can come first if needed, followed by the gentle cleanser. Choose makeup labelled noncomedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores, and oil free. These are practical cleansing steps, not a reason to add more treatment products.3

How do you choose the products?

Start with what the skin needs: a more hydrating moisturizer for dryness, and gentle products for sensitivity. Avoid cleansers containing microbeads, which can cause irritation and inflammation. An ordinary drugstore facial cleanser can be suitable; an expensive bottle is not an extra skincare step, however prominently it appears in a video.34

Ceramides are fats naturally present in the skin's outer layer that help maintain its protective barrier. A moisturizer containing ceramides is one reasonable option. For acne prone skin, look for a noncomedogenic moisturizer. A separate hyaluronic acid serum is not an established necessity for young skin, which already contains plentiful hyaluronic acid.5

How should kids use sunscreen?

Broad spectrum means protection against both UVA and UVB, two types of ultraviolet radiation. In the UK, look for SPF 30 or higher and at least four star UVA protection; UVA inside a circle indicates the EU standard. Check the expiry date too. Mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is an option for children because some chemical filters can irritate their skin.26

• Cover skin not protected by clothing, including the face, ears, neck, feet and backs of hands. Applying sunscreen too thinly reduces protection.
• For time outdoors long enough to risk burning, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before leaving and again just before going out.
• Reapply every two hours outdoors and follow the product's directions. Reapply straight after swimming, towel drying or sweating, even with water resistant sunscreen.
• Use shade, suitable clothing and a hat as well. In the UK, take particular care between 11am and 3pm from March to October.

Cloudy weather does not rule out sunburn, and sunscreen is a daily habit even in winter. Water resistant sunscreen still needs replacing after swimming, so the label is not permission to forget the bottle.46

Which skincare should a 10 year old avoid?

Leave out products aimed at wrinkles, sun damage or uneven skin tone, including retinol, vitamin C treatments and exfoliating acids. Children have thinner, more sensitive skin than adults, and these products can cause redness, burning or peeling without a useful benefit for healthy young skin. Retinoids and salicylic acid have a different role when a dermatologist recommends them for acne.1

• Avoid rough facial scrubs, including apricot kernel and walnut shell scrubs, which can inflame skin.
• Choose products without added fragrance or perfume, which can trigger irritation or allergic reactions.
• Do not assume essential oils are harmless because they are natural. Citrus, tea tree, peppermint and lavender oils can cause allergic reactions or sensitivity to sunlight.
• Watch for drying alcohols such as denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and ethanol in adult formulas.

What if a 10 year old has spots?

Puberty increases oil production and can bring blackheads, breakouts and oily skin. Ask a dermatologist what is appropriate before adding acne treatments at age 10. Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid can have a place in acne care, but they are not routine extras for every child. Acne medicines can cause dryness and irritation, so moisturizer and sun protection still matter.1

Seek dermatology help if breakouts leave dark marks or scars, or have not improved after a few months of treatment bought without a prescription. If a child already has prescribed treatment, discuss any additions with their dermatologist rather than borrowing someone else's routine.15

What if a product irritates their skin?

Introduce one new product at a time. For sensitive skin, try a small amount on a small area before applying it across the face. Stop using a product that causes burning, redness, peeling or an itchy rash, and get medical advice about a reaction. Contact dermatitis, a skin reaction to something touching it, can appear as red, scaly, itchy patches. Seek medical help for sunburn with severe swelling or blisters, or if the child feels unwell.136

Does a 10 year old need a bath every day?

Before puberty, children aged 6 to 11 do not necessarily need a daily bath, although daily bathing is fine. They need a bath at least once or twice a week, when dirty, after swimming, and when sweaty or developing body odour. Follow a dermatologist's bathing instructions if a child is being treated for a skin disease. Once puberty starts, daily bathing and washing the face twice daily become appropriate, with an additional shower after sports, swimming or heavy sweating. Dry or sensitive facial skin can still need the gentler once daily cleansing approach.17

Is skincare good for kids?

Yes, when skincare means gentle care and sun protection rather than correcting healthy skin. Moisturizer helps reduce water loss, and sunscreen protects against ultraviolet radiation. Many cosmetic treatment ingredients have little or no research in children, so adult skincare claims are not a reason to add them. Healthy young skin needs support, not a renovation schedule.25

What should parents say about skincare trends?

Ask what the child hopes a product will do before dismissing their interest. Explain that real skin has pores and occasional blemishes, while online images often involve makeup, editing and filters. No cream creates that filtered appearance overnight. An occasional sheet mask with friends can be fine, but masks are not a daily requirement. Pay attention if skincare starts feeling compulsory or interferes with sleep, schoolwork or friendships; that calls for a conversation about the pressure, not another product.23