TL;DR:
- Teenage skin issues: Hormonal changes during puberty increase sebum production, leading to oily skin, blackheads, clogged pores, and acne.
- Common mistakes: Overuse of harsh cleansers or excessive cosmetics can cause dryness, leading to more sebum production and worsening skin issues.
- Basic skincare routine:
- Cleansing: Use gentle gels or foams (twice daily). Micellar liquids are better for makeup removal.
- Toning: Use alcohol-free toners to restore pH and prepare skin for creams.
- Moisturizing: Light, water-based creams with antibacterial properties are best; avoid mineral oils.
- Complementary care:
- Use masks and spot treatments for blemishes (1-2 times weekly).
- Avoid scrubs on active acne; otherwise, use fine-grained or enzymatic exfoliants.
- Avoid heavy makeup; use light concealers for spot coverage.
Puberty is a tough time, during which many changes take place in the body. They are often reflected in the complexion. Cosmetics for teenagers are very helpful, but they should be selected properly. So it is advisable to spend a little more time and be sure that the young skin will get proper care, and the cosmetics used will not harm it. Skin problems during puberty are a common phenomenon. Both girls and boys struggle with it. Girls usually pay more attention to their appearance, so the occurrence of such lesions as blackheads and acne negatively affect their self-confidence. They usually then want to eliminate imperfections in every possible way. When the skin is young, it is very easy to overdo skin care. That is why it is so important to choose the right cosmetics. To do this, at first you need to know your skin type.
What are the characteristics of a young complexion?
During puberty in the body of a teenager there are many hormonal changes, and their effect can be skin problems. The work of the sebaceous glands increases, dilated pores, blackheads and pimples appear. In turn, the skin begins to become oily and unsightly shiny. A large amount of sebum and keratinization of the follicle mouths are the perfect place for bacteria to grow, which can contribute to inflammation – acne. Such symptoms distinguish oily and combination skin, which is most common in teenagers. In order to eliminate the problem of shiny skin and imperfections, teenagers usually use cleansing cosmetics in large quantities. Such actions may cause even more skin problems, as it leads to excessive dryness. In defense, the skin begins to produce even more sebum, which causes clogged pores and the formation of new blackheads. The pimples then increase, the skin becomes more oily, and the teenager feels powerless.
What does a teenager's skin need?
Excessive use of cosmetics certainly won't help young skin, so it's important to know exactly what it needs and use only products that can actually help. The care of young skin certainly requires cleansing, which, however, must not be too intense. This will lead to irritation and dryness of the skin. It is recommended to use gentle foams and gels, and not to exaggerate the frequency of washing the face. The optimal time is twice a day. For washing off makeup, a micellar liquid works perfectly – heavy milks are worth leaving for dry skin. After thorough cleansing, it's worth using a toner to equalize the skin's pH and prepare it for the cream. This will allow the active ingredients to better penetrate the skin. Many teens avoid using moisturizers and nourishing creams because they fear that the skin may become more oily. In fact, cosmetics that have a heavy and oily texture have this effect, but moisturizing oily skin (like any skin), is very important. Adequately moisturized regenerates much shorter, does not peel excessively and is not stripped. In the case of teenager's skin, light water-based creams that do not have oils in the composition work well. It is worthwhile that they are additionally enriched with antibacterial ingredients and accelerate the healing process. applying cream to facial skin **The care of young skin also requires the use of specialized cosmetics that work by spot and applied directly to blemishes. As a result, imperfections will disappear faster and the skin will regenerate more easily. Sometimes you can also apply a mask with a purifying effect, which will refresh the complexion and help fight blackheads. An important aspect is also **not to burden the skin with excessive makeup**. Acne does not look pretty, but covering it up constantly with foundation and powder will not help get rid of the problem. If a teenager has the need to mask imperfections, a spot concealer, which often has substances in its composition to help fight pimples, will work much better. Covering the lesions in this way will make the skin look much fresher than when covered with heavy foundation.
How to take care of a teenager's skin step by step?
Cosmetics for teenagers should consist of products that will provide cleansing, toning and moisturizing of the face and also work in a specialized way. **The care ritual is worth performing in the morning and evening. Morning care can consist of only the essentials, and additional cosmetics such as masks can be used in the evening.
Step 1 – makeup removal and cleansing.
As mentioned earlier, for makeup removal it is best to use micellar liquids, which are gentle on the skin and effectively remove makeup, without drying or contributing to the formation of blackheads.
Makeup removal plays a very important role and must be done very carefully, without skipping such important areas as the wings of the nose and temples. This is a very common mistake that leads to many imperfections. Makeup removal ends when there are no traces of cosmetics on the cotton pad.
Once makeup removal is complete, it's time for deep cleansing with a gel or foam. It is recommended to choose products that do not have strong cleansing substances in their composition, but are rich in plant and herbal extracts. It is advisable to wet the face with water beforehand, and then use the cosmetic to wash with gentle movements, reaching every nook and cranny. The water temperature should be lukewarm or warm.
Face washing should be carried out in the evening and in the morning. In the evening, the ritual allows you to remove makeup residue and impurities collected during the day. In the morning, on the other hand, it allows the skin to be cleansed of sebum formed during the night. Proper cleansing of the skin creates an unfavorable environment for the growth of bacteria, which is a preventive measure against the formation of inflammation.
Step 2 – toning.
Tonic is a very important cosmetic in the care of young skin. It restores the skin's proper pH, refreshes and soothes irritation. With this product, the facial skin better accepts the cream, and its effect will be stronger. It is good if the composition of the tonic includes plant active substances, such as purgative extract.
Acne-prone skin responds well to products that have a low concentration of fruit acids that accelerate the disappearance of imperfections. Alcohol, on the other hand, should not be used, as it is very drying and after prolonged use, the skin condition can deteriorate significantly. You can wipe your face with a cotton pad. In many cases, however, it is much better to directly pat the cosmetic into the skin. This will avoid strong friction that can lead to irritation. Toning is also worth doing in the morning and evening.
Step 3 – application of cream.
Cream is a base product in the care of teenagers' skin. It ensures that the skin is properly moisturized, protects it and helps fight imperfections. A good cream for oily skin should be light and created on a water base, enriched with plant extracts. It is worth remembering that such a product should not have mineral oils in its composition, as they can be comedogenic.
Creams should be used in the morning and evening, but they can be two different products. In the morning you can use a light moisturizer with SPF, and in the evening reach for a specific one with antibacterial or regenerative properties, among others. A cream for acne-prone skin should have, among other things, manuka leaf extract, chamomile, sulfur, salicylic acid and aloe vera.
Step 4 – complementary care.
The group of care cosmetics can include masks, pastes with cleansing action, scrubs and spot application preparations. The last type of cosmetic can be part of daily care. In the case of masks, on the other hand, it is best to use them twice a week. It is worth reaching for masks that deeply cleanse, normalize and soothe irritation.
Peeling can be a good solution in caring for a teenager's skin, but it can't always be done. Active, purulent acne lesions absolutely rule out the possibility of using a peel, as they exacerbate inflammation and spread acne to other parts of the face. When such a problem does not exist, there is nothing to prevent scrubbing twice a week. This will enable you to remove dead skin and make it easier to eliminate blackheads. However, keep in mind that it should be a fine-grained or enzymatic scrub. A coarse-grained cosmetic will be too intense and may bring more damage than the expected results.
It is important that complementary care products contain natural substances in their composition. Cosmetics for teenagers should be gentle, but with adequate moisturizing and cleansing action.
Conclusion
Puberty wreaks havoc on teenage skin, but proper care can make all the difference. Overcleaning, skipping moisturizer, or using harsh products only worsens oily, acne-prone skin. Gentle cleansing, toning, and lightweight creams restore balance, while targeted treatments tackle blemishes effectively. Remember, consistency matters more than piling on products. Start simple: cleanse, tone, moisturize, and skip the heavy makeup. With a thoughtful routine tailored to your skin's needs, you’ll see improvements in no time. Healthy skin isn’t about perfection—it’s about care that truly supports your complexion. Keep it balanced, and your skin will thank you.