Parenting teenagers is a delicate balance between encouraging independence and offering support and that applies to personal care and hygiene too. However, even parents who have their own skincare routine figur ed out, might not know where to start when it comes to navigating teen skin.
This article is designed to help parents guide their teens in developing a simple, effective skincare routine to support their skin’s unique needs, encouraging healthy skincare habits that are gentle and age-appropriate.
Start With the Basics and Keep It Simple
For the majority of teenagers, a skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. A good starting point is focusing on three essentials: a gentle cleanser, a lightweight moisturiser, and sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
Using too many products can quickly irritate young skin, so it’s best to stick to these three basics to maintain a healthy skin barrier. Many UK teens may be tempted to skip this final stage since the Great British weather isn’t exactly famed for its sunshine! But you should stress that UV radiation is present all year round, regardless of temperature or weather conditions.
Image: Beauty Bay
Address Common Teen Skin Concerns
Hormonal changes often bring oily skin, acne, or dry patches. To tackle common teenage skin issues, your teen will need to first identify their skin type, as this will allow them to select products that are specifically tailored to their needs. This might be cleansers that contain salicylic acid to treat mild acne or fragrance-free options for teens with sensitive skin.
It’s estimated that over 85% of teenagers suffer from acne at some point, so preparation and knowing how to deal with it when it happens is key. While a good skincare routine won’t necessarily ‘cure’ acne, since in most cases it’s hormonally related, it can certainly help reduce inflammation and minimise breakouts.
Using skincare for kids to target specific problems can help your teen create a healthy skincare routine that can be adapted over time. Plus, addressing any skin problems early also prevents them from getting worse, which can lead to embarrassment, lack of confidence and low self-esteem.
Teach the Importance of Sun Protection
Sun protection is crucial for teenagers, especially as exposure to UV rays can cause long-term skin damage. Research has shown that even getting sunburnt once in childhood or adolescence increases your risk of skin cancer later in life.
A daily sunscreen not only prevents sunburn but also guards against premature ageing and skin conditions. Therefore you should encourage teens to make sunscreen part of their morning routine, even on cloudy days.
Avoid Overdoing It with Products and Viral Trends
Many teens are influenced by trends on social media, or feel they must have the latest must-have product. This can lead to them using unnecessary or overly harsh products or developing skincare routines that won’t stand the test of time.
As a parent, try to guide your teenager towards focusing on skin health rather than chasing viral trends. Gentle spot treatments and patience with skincare can be much more effective for a teen’s skin than constantly switching products or trying out every skin fad or ‘hack’ they see online.