Teen Skincare
Teenage skin does not need a ten-step routine, and most of what is sold for it is aimed at a much older face. This is the short version: what helps, what to skip, and when to see a doctor.
- Three steps is enough
- Skip the anti-ageing aisle
- Sunscreen every morning
The whole routine
A gentle cleanser morning and night, a light moisturiser, and sunscreen in the morning. That is the routine. It handles the oiliness and the barrier damage that most teenage skin complaints actually come from, and it costs very little.
What to leave alone
Retinol, strong acid exfoliants, vitamin C serums and anything labelled anti-ageing are formulated for concerns teenage skin does not have yet, and they commonly cause the irritation and breakouts they are bought to fix. Scrubs and alcohol-heavy toners strip the barrier and make oiliness worse.
If you have acne
Most teenage acne responds to a single active used consistently - benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid - alongside the routine above, given six to eight weeks. Add one thing at a time so you can tell what is working. Picking at spots is what turns them into marks that last.
When to see a doctor
Acne that is painful, leaves scars, covers the chest and back, or has not improved after a couple of months of consistent care is worth a GP or dermatologist appointment. Prescription treatment works, and waiting mostly means more scarring to treat later.