All photos: KoolShooters
Being a teenager can be enormously stressful and difficult for a whole range of reasons. This time of a person’s life tends to be characterised by tumultuous hormonal changes, which, among other things, can wreak havoc with the skin of the teenager in question.
This, most notoriously, can cause problems with acne. But there are other skincare-related challenges to contend with, too. Let’s take a look at how these challenges might be dealt with, with the help of the right skincare routine.
#1. Understanding Your Skin Type
Skin comes in many different types. These include oil, dry, combination, and sensitive. Some people have different types of skin on different parts of their bodies. To make life more complicated, your skin type can also change over time.If you have an idea of your skin type, then you stand a better chance of choosing the right products and techniques. Fortunately, this can be done without the need for an expensive consultation with a medical professional. A sheet of blotting paper is all you need.
#2. Choosing the Right Products
An effective skincare routine is typically based around three separate products. These are cleansers, moisturisers, and sun protection. You might also find spot treatments designed to address particular areas of the skin, like spots. Try to avoid harsh chemicals, and resist the urge to overcomplicate your routine. Skincare for teens tends to mean looking at gentle, fragrance-free products. Unless you’ve been advised to do so by a dermatologist, it’s generally unwise to look for anything harsher.
#3. Building a Simple Skincare Routine
A simple skincare routine comprises cleansing, moisturising, and SPF stages. Bear in mind that you’ll need to reapply your SPF frequently throughout the day during summer. Ignore the social media videos that advocate a labyrinthine routine of more than four stages. Even if these are seemingly effective, the chances are good that you wouldn’t stick with them.
The British Association of Dermatologists has recently warned that young children put themselves at risk of permanent skin damage when they use skincare products – and the same goes for teenagers, albeit to a lesser extent.
#4. Looking After Your Skin From the Inside Out
Many of the best things you can do to support the health of your skin don’t involve direct skin treatment at all. Rather, they’re a matter of maintaining the right dietary habits, keeping your sleep patterns regular, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
The good news is that these things also support your overall health, including your mental performance and concentration at school or work. There’s no downside to proper sleep hygiene, or drinking enough water, and the benefits are substantial.
#5. Repeating, Repeating, Repeating...
Of course, it doesn`t sound exciting, but consistency is the most important thing of any effective skincare routine. Just like building muscle or learning a new skill, achieving noticeable improvements in your skin requires dedication and repetition. Each product in your regimen is formulated to target specific concerns and deliver cumulative benefits over time. Skipping steps or inconsistent application disrupts this process, preventing active ingredients from working optimally and hindering your skin's ability to adapt and heal.
5 Most Common Teen Skin Issues
Teenage years are a period of significant physical and hormonal changes, and often, the skin reflects this internal shift. While some lucky individuals breeze through adolescence with a clear complexion, many teens experience a range of common skin issues that can be frustrating and even impact their self-esteem. Understanding these challenges is the first step towards effective management and achieving healthier skin.
One of the most prevalent concerns is acne. When oil (sebum) and dead skin cells block hair follicles, it triggers this inflammatory skin issue. The hormonal surge during puberty often leads to increased sebum production, creating the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) to thrive. Acne can appear in several ways, ranging from mild blackheads and whiteheads to more pronounced papules, pus-filled pustules, deeper nodules, and sometimes painful cysts. It commonly affects areas like the face, chest, back, and shoulders.
Beyond acne, excessive oiliness is another frequent complaint. The same hormonal fluctuations that contribute to acne can also lead to an overproduction of sebum, resulting in a shiny or greasy appearance. This can make the skin feel uncomfortable and contribute to clogged pores and breakouts.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some teens experience dryness and sensitivity. This can be caused by various factors, including harsh skincare products, environmental conditions, or even underlying skin conditions. Dry skin is characterized by a tight, flaky, and itchy feeling, and tends to react more easily to irritants.
Blackheads and whiteheads are non-inflammatory forms of acne. Blackheads are open comedones where the sebum has oxidized, giving them a dark appearance. Whiteheads are closed comedones where the pore opening is blocked, trapping the sebum and dead skin cells beneath the surface.
Finally, while not a medical condition, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation can be a concern for some teens. This can result from previous acne breakouts leaving behind dark marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or from sun exposure.
Wrapping Up..
Investing time and effort into looking after teen skin isn't just about addressing immediate breakouts; it's about establishing healthy habits that can last a lifetime. We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge and tools to help the teens in your life develop a positive relationship with their skin for years to come.
