What is a good skincare routine for teenagers?

What skincare products does a teenager need?

Most teenagers need three everyday products, which makes skincare a shopping list rather than a second curriculum. Choose the basics for your skin's needs: a richer moisturizer for dryness, a lighter one for oiliness, and products labelled noncomedogenic if you get acne. Noncomedogenic means designed not to clog pores.123

A friend's favorite product is not automatically the right choice for you. Many online routines are paid advertisements, even when the sales pitch arrives wearing a headband. Products aimed at wrinkles, sagging or other problems you do not have can cause acne, rashes, burns or allergic reactions. If oily skin bothers you, ask a doctor about gentle products rather than copying a whole routine.1

What is a simple skincare routine for teens?

In the morning

1. 1Wash gently with mild soap or cleanser and warm water, using your hands rather than scrubbing.
2. 2Apply a fragrance free moisturizer suited to your skin. Try an oil free option if you tend to get pimples.
3. 3Apply broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to skin not covered by clothing.

Wear sunscreen every day, including cloudy days. Both light and dark skin can burn, and a tan is a sign of sun damage. A brimmed hat, protective clothing and shade add protection; sunglasses should provide almost 100% protection against ultraviolet radiation, the sun's UV rays.34

In the evening

1. 1Remove makeup before bed and gently cleanse your face.
2. 2Use any evening acne medication as directed by its label or your clinician.
3. 3Apply moisturizer. If you have a prescription routine, follow its instructions about whether moisturizer goes before or after treatment.

For general care, wash your face once or twice daily; for acne, gentle washing twice daily is advised. Scrubbing can irritate skin and make acne worse. If you wear makeup, wash brushes and sponges about once a week, and do not share tools or makeup.23

What should you add if you have acne?

Puberty can trigger acne through changes in hormone levels. Hair follicles, the openings where hair grows, become blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria can then grow inside and cause inflammation and pus. A basic routine supports skin care, but acne sometimes needs treatment that targets these causes.2

A pharmacist or doctor can help choose an appropriate treatment.

• Benzoyl peroxide reduces acne causing bacteria. It comes in washes, gels and lotions and can be used alone for mild acne.
• For particularly sensitive skin, benzoyl peroxide can start at 2.5%. Higher concentrations are more likely to cause dryness and irritation.
• Salicylic acid opens clogged pores and exfoliates skin. It can treat whiteheads and pimples and comes in products including cleansers and moisturizers.
• Retinoids such as adapalene and tretinoin help clear pores. They can treat blackheads, whiteheads and some pimples.

Benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids are applied across the affected area, not just to individual visible spots. Follow the product directions or prescribed plan rather than improvising a combination. Clinicians sometimes combine treatments because they target different causes of acne. Applying more medication than prescribed will not clear acne faster.45

Expect acne treatment to take at least 6 to 8 weeks before you start seeing fewer breakouts. Keep following the treatment plan rather than judging it after a few days. Leave spots alone: picking and squeezing can cause scars. Flat reddish or brownish marks left after pimples clear often fade without treatment; permanent pits are different.234

Should teenagers use retinol?

Teenagers do not need retinol for wrinkle prevention. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that can help acne, but it is not an essential daily product. Acne retinoids such as adapalene or tretinoin have a treatment role, so ask about an acne treatment rather than choosing an antiaging serum by default.156

If retinol is appropriate, test a little on a small area first and wait a couple of days. Do not add it to your routine if that area becomes very red or itchy. General retinol directions are to cleanse, pat dry, apply a thin, pea sized amount at bedtime, avoid the eyes, nose and mouth, then moisturize. Start every other day for the first couple of weeks, unless the package or clinician directs otherwise.6

Retinol can cause dryness, peeling, itching or burning and increases sensitivity to sunlight. Sensitive or allergy prone skin needs particular care. For a prescribed retinoid, ask your dermatologist before changing the amount, frequency or moisturizer order to manage irritation. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, talk to your healthcare provider before using retinol.46

What age should you start a skincare routine?

You do not need to wait for a particular birthday to use basic cleansing, moisturizer and sun protection. Keep care simple and add treatment for an actual problem, not because you have reached a marketing age bracket. Acne can begin before the teenage years: it is common between ages 7 and 12 and can be an early sign of puberty. A younger child with acne needs age appropriate treatment choices, not an adult prescription borrowed at home.15

When should a teenager see a doctor?

Get medical help for acne if:

• You have tried treating it yourself and it is not improving.
• You have lots of spots, deep painful lumps or scarring.
• Skin is hot, swollen and red, which can signal infection. Redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin.
• Acne is affecting your mental health.

A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, can check whether the breakouts are acne and choose treatment for their type and severity. Some other conditions look like acne but need different treatment. Severe acne or eczema is a reason to seek medical care rather than keep adding skincare products.34