Have you been wondering lately about skin care for tweens and teens?
Social media may be buzzing with skin care tips for this age group.
But when should skin care start? And how can you do it right so that your skin (or your child’s) looks and feels great for years to come?
When should you start skin care for tweens and teens?
Nowadays, interest in skin care is starting to take root at an increasingly younger age. As tweens and teens are exposed to social media, they become more conscious of their appearance. They can also be influenced by celebrities and social media influencers who promote certain products that are “must-haves” for this generation.
According to the New York Postthe hashtag #teenageskincare has been viewed more than 26.4 million times on TikTok, with young people showing off their multi-step skincare routines.
But it is wise to be careful and not to use too many products too quickly. Young, growing skin can be easily disturbed by anti-aging and chemical-based products that are not made for them.
“The skin is the largest and most complex organ,” said renowned dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer to The Post, “and if the wrong products are used or introduced too early or for the wrong skin type, you can end up with more problems than before. were originally present.”
Young skin repairs itself faster and is sensitive to more oil and hormonal changes, especially during adolescence. Products designed for older skin are often too irritating and can disrupt the skin’s microbiome.
The growing trend of children as young as eight using skin care products could leave them with irreversible skin problems, according to researchers. British Association of Dermatologists.
Problems associated with starting skin care too young
Kids see their favorite influencers using luxury skincare on their social media platforms and decide it’s what they need. But many of these products contain ingredients intended for adults that are too harsh for young people.
For example, exfoliating acids are usually unwise at a young age because they can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause allergies or eczema.
Retinols are equally risky. They exfoliate the skin and help increase collagen levels, which can help the skin as you get older, but if you start too early they can thin the skin, making young people more susceptible to sun damage and premature aging , as well as for hyperpigmentation.
Such ingredients are intended for mature skin and can be bad for younger skin, potentially leading to irritation, dryness, inflammation and damage to the skin barrier. The skin is still developing, so using harsh anti-aging products can disrupt the skin’s natural health, potentially leading to long-term skin problems.
Even for teens looking for acne solutions, acids and retinols can be too much, making pimples worse rather than better.
So is there a skincare routine that does that? is good for young people?
Skin care for tweens and teens: embrace skin imalism
If young people approach it the right way, developing a skin care routine can have lifelong beneficial effects.
Perhaps most important is getting them used to caring for their skin at a time when such habits often become ingrained in their minds. Just as learning to brush their teeth morning and night, learning to care for their skin at the same time can establish healthy habits long into the future.
The key is to choose a simple, ‘minimalist’ routine that includes a small number of age-appropriate products. These types of routines are easier for young people to adopt, and as long as the products are safe, the experience will be healthy and rewarding.
Minimalist routines are gaining popularity these days, as even adults are looking for simpler solutions to the multi-product fads that sometimes seem to take over. When a bathroom cabinet is chock full of products, you don’t know what to use in what order, and your skin ends up not looking any better (or even worse), it’s natural to look for an easier alternative.
A simple routine consisting of just a cleanser, toner and moisturizer is best for young people. As for when to start, most experts seem to agree on age twelve, although a year or two later is fine.
Here at CV Skinlabs, our luxuriously soothing minimal range is designed to be gentle yet effective in maintaining a healthy skin barrier and restoring a balanced skin microbiome.
Tips for safe skin care for tweens and teens
If you want to create a healthy skin care routine for yourself or your child, try these tips:
1. Choose Safe products
This is the most important step in creating a routine for a young person.
“Over the course of my career in the beauty industry,” said aesthetic nurse Nina Prisk LiveThatGlow.com“The number one thing I see younger people doing in their skincare routine that can be harmful is taking in too much of something, adding products too quickly, or using products too often.”
CV Skinlabs products are perfect for this age group because they contain only safe, non-toxic ingredients that are gentle and non-irritating. They address different skin needs such as dry patches, redness and acne inflammation. People with sensitive skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis also find them soothing and helpful in caring for healthier, more comfortable and radiant skin.
2. Clean gently
Cleansing the skin often becomes important in tweens and teens. The skin may produce more oil in response to hormonal changes, and daily interaction in the world also exposes the skin more to pollution, dust and grime. Once young people start applying makeup, cleansing also becomes crucial to prevent makeup build-up overnight.
Choose a gentle cleanser with minimal ingredients and avoid scrubbing the skin too hard. Use lukewarm (not hot) water and rinse well.
3. Soft tone
Most toners made for this age group are too aggressive. They contain alcohols that strip the skin of moisture, which can cause more damage than good in the long run.
We recommend our multi-tasking Rescue + Relief Spray as it helps balance the skin and prepare it to absorb moisturizer. It also helps tame redness and cool any inflammation, promoting acne-free skin. You can use it as a balancing toner, soothing/calming/healing spray, setting spray and more. This one is a must have.
4. Hydrate
Young skin may not need as much moisture as older skin. But moisturizing after cleansing and toning is important to balance the skin and prevent dryness. Choose a gentle, light moisturizer like our cult favorite Calming Moisture that hydrates without clogging pores.
Calming Moisture is made for people with sensitive skin and is clinically proven to calm inflammation while promoting healthy skin. Best of all, it leaves a natural-looking appearance.
5. Protect
Finally, don’t forget to use a safe sunscreen such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The sun’s rays can damage even young skin, making this step particularly important.
Skin care for tweens and teens: don’t overdo it!
Young people are easily influenced by celebrities and social media trends. That can make it harder to avoid using luxury serums, face masks and other products praised by powerful influencers. Realize that these products can damage young skin and you may regret it later.
“Teens don’t need to use vitamin C serums, retinoids for anti-aging purposes, chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids, nor the vast majority of popular TikTok toners, serums and masks,” says Dr. Rachel Westbay, board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical, says POP SUGAR.
She further notes that young teens who use products that are too harsh for them are at risk for irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, general dryness, sensitivity and increased acne.
It’s much better to keep it simple, embrace your natural beauty and focus on the long-term health of your skin!
Do you think tweens and teens are using skin care too young?
Featured image courtesy of Karolina Grabowska via Pexels.
