Skincare for Teens: What's Really Needed?

Maybe your a teenager trying to navigate the world of skincare, or you're a parent wondering if your kid's need an upgrade on skincare. Whatever the case is, you may be figuring out what can be suitable for the skin of those in the teens, if there's the need for a specific range, or even if there's need to use anything at all. We believe that the answers to these questions depend on your preferences and expectations. In our humble opinion, sunscreen and cleansing are the only mandatory steps, but there are a few more you may also like! Join us to understand all there is to know about skincare for teens.

Do teenagers need to use skincare at all?

We bring you again our most common answer: it depends. If there's skin pathology or a specific issue that requires specific care, then the answer is probably yes and recommended by a dermatologist upon evaluation. For every other teenager, it may also depend! The skin has its own mechanisms and may go perfectly well even when skincare is skipped altogether. It's legit to opt out of using any skincare if the skin looks healthy and feels good on its own, but it's also a great idea to introduce some basic skincare steps to boost comfort and protection. For some teenagers, the best approach can be the minimal skincare routine, combining cleansing and sunscreen protection. For others, a little extra step may be very welcome to their routine, making skincare time a fun time!

Do teenagers need to use specific products?

There are some ranges specially designed for teenagers: they appeal to their specific needs, like minimizing excess shine or targeting blemishes. And those ranges are, in fact, a good option! However, in our opinion, you don't need to be restricted to teenager lines. There's a world of skincare suitable for all ages, and that should work wonders for a teenager's skin. The packaging may not be as fun, but the formulas deliver! You can go as minimalist as you like; you can opt to just use a cleanser and a sunscreen, or indulge in a more elaborate routine with a few extra steps. We'll give you some ideas in a second!

What should a teenager use for skincare?

As we've seen above, there are no mandatory steps for teenage skincare. From minimalist routines featuring just a cleanser and a sunscreen, to a more complete routine like the one we suggest below: you're the one who's going to decide what's best for you. Pay attention to how your skin responds to your skincare routine, and you may always adjust to better meet your skin needs.

Cleanser

We don't like to be dramatic here, but cleansing the skin of the face is a mandatory step. Just like the skin of the body requires a daily wash, the skin needs, at least, the same care. It's easy to understand why: the skin of the face is exposed to pollutants all day and produces oils to keep it moist and protected. Washing it at the end of the day, at least, is non-negotiable. We recommend that you do so with a proper facial cleanser, and leave the all-in-one wash to the body. Even though the recommendation of using a face wash is valid for all, it's particularly important for teenagers as their skin tends to be on the oily side.

Sunscreen

Now is the time for the second essential for teenage skincare: sun protection! We can say, without reservations, that sunscreen is a must in skincare routines for every age, and that's also true for teenagers. And not only for beach days! The right time to start using sunscreen daily is today, regardless of age (maybe babies under 6 months can get a pass on this one). If the habit is not there, then the teenage years are a great time to establish the routine of applying sunscreen daily, and that should stick for life. Just a sunscreen and a facial cleanser can make for a complete routine for teenagers.

Moisturizer

As intuitive as it is to use, the moisturizer can easily find a spot in a simple skincare routine for teenagers, both for the morning and evening care. The texture can be your classic cream, but we're pretty sure that the refreshing and lightweight gel is going to be a teenager's favourite. The best thing about gel formulas is that they boost skin hydration with a lightweight texture that works beautifully for most skin types, especially combination to oily skin.

Pimple patch

Pimple patches may not be an essential, but they sure are a nice-to-have. They've been gaining momentum these last few years, as beauty consumers understood how targeted patch skincare can be. When thought to fighting spots, these patches help not only to accelerate healing but also help you to keep your hands out of the blemishes. The application is simple and only required when you have a big pimple you don't want to be tempted to squeeze!

Spot treatments

These formulas have the same application logic as the previous one, except that instead of a patch, they come in a cream or stick. With targeted ingredients that accelerate the healing of the pimples that arrive uninvited, these formulas are not for daily use. Easy to apply, you shouldn't need to expend any more time than you usually do in your beauty routine. They can be part of the routine, occasionally, when there are blemishes you want to personally get rid of!

Exfoliant

After the important topic of facial blemishes and before going for a facial mask, it's time to discuss facial exfoliants. It's not mandatory either, but this step may be quite helpful in removing excess dead cells and preventing blemishes. The secret here is to find the balance: excess exfoliation may leave your skin too sensitive and leave it in a worse situation than before the exfoliation. But, if you use an exfoliant with the right frequency, your skin will be able to reveal its best self!

Face mask

Facial masks are also not essential in a skincare routine, but they're sure fun to use. Ideal for those who want a beauty routine as complete as possible, the face mask works to boost skin hydration or to deliver a powerful cleansing action for a mattifying effect, depending on the mask you pick. Face masks are perfect to adjust the skincare to your immediate needs: you may opt for a hydrating mask on a week your skin feels particularly dehydrated, and then go with a purifying mask the following week, if your skin is feeling extra shiny or oily. In short, masks are supposed to be the fun skincare that adds a quick boost to the skin!

Lip balm

Last but not least: a lip balm. This skincare step needs no introduction, but we'll dedicate some words to it anyway. Ideal to deliver immediate comfort to your lips, no matter the time of the year, the lip balm adds an extra layer of nourishing care that hydrates and protects at the same time. You can use it morning and evening, and reapply throughout the day as needed!