Skincare for Teenagers: Building an Effective Routine

In your teenage years, skin goes through numerous transformations. Hormonal shifts, changes in skin texture, and an oily t-zone may become your new norm. It's all part of growing up and completely natural. Spots and breakouts are typical responses to these bodily changes and can impact self-confidence. However, while dealing with these skin irregularities might feel challenging, they're a normal part of the adolescent journey.

Before you start to panic, there are changes and adjustments you can make to your everyday routine to improve the look and feel of your skin. 

We're here to walk you through how to build a skincare routine for a teenager, so you can protect your skin and keep it looking its best.

Here's everything you need to know:

Common Teen Skincare Issues

Before diving into the best skincare for teenagers, discussing the unique issues teenagers face is important. While everyone is different, you may experience similar skincare problems as your peers during adolescence.

● Teenage Acne: Blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts are among the most common skincare problems teenagers face. These pimples arise due to excess sebum. When your pores fill with dirt, grime, and bacteria, it can irritate your skin, leading to breakouts and inflammation. To reduce the appearance of teenage acne, you'll need a gentle cleanser and a daily moisturizer. 

● Sensitive Skin: Teenagers typically have more sensitive skin than adults. This means they're more prone to redness, irritation, and other skin problems. A daily moisturizer is a must-have to reduce irritation and protect the skin barrier. It's best to look for gentle, clean formulas that don't contain irritating ingredients like sulfates, alcohols, or parabens. 

● Oily Skin: If your skin is oilier than usual, especially in the T-zone - you may have a problem with overactive sebum. This can build up dead skin cells on the surface, leading to acne breakouts. 

● Sunburn: Sunburn can lead to skin damage, dehydration, and pain. Whether it's a bright sunny day or a cold winter week - you should always aim to wear sunscreen on your face, at the least. 

Don't worry. While it may be scary to deal with skincare imperfections, there's always a solution to help you get closer to clearer, calmer skin.

Importance of a Skincare Routine

Between the ages of 12 and 17, teenagers undergo many changes, including frequent breakouts, blackheads, redness, and oily complexions caused by extreme fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone -- known to lead to mood swings and skin imperfections. Puberty is the cause of most ongoing and recurring skin problems, which should start to subside in your early 20s. 

Due to experiencing skin problems for the first time, many teenagers don't know how to deal with breakouts, excessive sebum, or dry skin patches. The best way to combat teenage acne and other imperfections is to introduce nutrient and vitamin-rich skincare products for teenagers.

Morning Skincare Routine

The morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Whether you're going to school, after school sports, or a special occasion, ensure your skin is cleansed, moisturized, and protected everywhere you go. 

To build an effective morning skincare routine for teenagers, here's what you'll need:

A cleanser helps eliminate excess sebum and impurities on the skin's surface. If you're struggling with an oily complexion or acne, a gentle cleanser is a must for balancing the oils on the skin's surface and helping them maintain their confidence.

The perfect gentle cleanser to start the day with is The Foaming Cleanser. Our purifying formula helps gently lift away impurities while improving your skin texture. This lightweight cream-to-foam texture is ideal for combination to oily skin types and is perfect for oil control and reducing the appearance of blemishes. During our 12-week user trials, 96% of participants agreed that the cleanser minimized their breakouts, with 99% reporting de-congested pores and clear skin.

After puberty, hormone fluctuations intensify, producing excess sebum on your skin's surface. Adolescents should consider adding a toner to their morning routine to help neutralize these oils and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. Toners can help balance the oils on the skin's surface, lowering the risk of future skin conditions and acne. 

The Essence is our 3-in-1 exfoliant, toner, and hydrating essence. It's gentle enough to use daily and is a great toner to introduce into your routine. Our formula contains exfoliating hydroxy acids and high-potency botanicals that help soothe redness, regulate sebum secretion, and protect the skin from environmental aggressors. During our 12-week user trials, 92% agreed that clogged and congested pores felt clarified.

Irrespective of age, sunscreen is a must-have to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UVB rays. Starting to wear sunscreen when you're younger can maintain the integrity of your skin and help build better habits at a young age. We recommend looking for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

A daily moisturizer protects your skin from drying out and helps you retain all-day hydration. When your skin dries out, this triggers your body's natural response to produce more sebum, leading to an oily complexion and unwanted breakouts. To combat the excess oil, you'll need an ultra-hydrating moisturizer that helps you achieve a balanced complexion. 

A moisturizer like The Cream will help you maintain a soft, supple complexion throughout the day and combat ongoing skin concerns. This light, refreshing formula is ideal for oily and blemish-prone skin types and is the perfect soother for reducing red, stressed skin - all while maintaining a radiant complexion. 

The skin on the lips is delicate and requires extra attention and care. Whether you're spending all day in the sun playing after-school sports or coming home with chapped lips after a long day at school- you need a lip balm in your daily routine. 

Exfoliants are great products to introduce into a skincare routine for teenagers. However, many physical exfoliants don't play well with acne or blemish-prone skin, so avoid harsh ingredients or daily use. Instead, consider introducing an exfoliant into your routine 1-2 times a week and switch to a chemical exfoliant. 

Since teenage skin is often more sensitive and is more prone to imperfections, you'll want to be mindful of how your skin reacts. If you experience any irritation or redness after using an exfoliant, pull back and restructure your routine. 

Evening Skincare Routine

Now it's time to cleanse, hydrate, and prepare your skin for bed. Here's how: 

Throughout your adolescent years, cleaning your skin gently twice a day is recommended. However, a single cleansing session before bed may be sufficient as you transition into adulthood. During the post-puberty phase, the skin tends to be more sensitive to impurities, bacteria, and acne. Hence, using a mild cleanser becomes crucial to effectively remove debris, bacteria, residual sunscreen, or makeup that may accumulate in your pores during the day. 

Throughout the day, your skin loses moisture and loses its protective barrier of sebum. Using a daily moisturizer before bed will help replenish moisture loss, lock in hydration and improve the integrity of your skin barrier. 

Pimple patches are a fast-acting spot treatment that helps eliminate excess sebum on the skin's surface and visually reduce the appearance of pimples. These are great to carry in your purse or backpack to quickly reduce the appearance of pimples, breakouts, and imperfections.

However, pimple patches can't always be your go-to skincare routine for teenagers. To combat acne and breakouts, you must take care of your skin and prioritize nutrient-rich products to help calm, balance, and hydrate. This will help minimize blemishes and reduce the risk of acne breakouts.

When to See a Doctor 

Severe breakouts, cysts, nodules, or painful inflammation are all signs to schedule a visit with your doctor or a dermatologist. If you need teenage acne treatment, a medical professional will help you get access to over-the-counter treatments that can help reduce the effects of long-term acne and help you regain your confidence.

Teenage Skincare Tips to Live By

Your teenage years are a pivotal time in your life, especially with skincare. Taking the time to adjust your routine can help you maintain the integrity of your skin, reduce inflammation, and get you one step closer to a clear complexion. 

Here are our six Augustinus Bader tips to live by:

The truth is, you don't need a 10-step skincare routine to see results. When you keep things simple and consistent, you can minimize risks and combat your skincare concerns. No matter what your day looks like, try your best to use your cleanser and moisturizer twice a day. Consistency is more important than how many products you use. 

Non-comedogenic products are oil-free formulas that won't clog your pores. If you struggle with breakouts or have an oily complexion, it's crucial to stick to products that don't disrupt your skin barrier or do more harm than good.

Whether it's a cold day in the fall or a sunny summer day, sunscreen is a must-have to protect your skin from UV rays. If you aren't wearing daily sunscreen, your skin is at risk of irritation and inflammation.

Sleeping with your makeup on can lead to clogged pores, skin irritation, and bacteria growth. Before bed, make sure to remove your makeup and use a gentle cleanser. 

While it may be tempting to pop your pimples, it can lead to additional irritation, inflammation, and even scarring. Also, avoid overwashing or over-exfoliating your face to reduce the possibility of breakouts or irritation. 

A great skincare routine isn't the only contributing factor to healthier-looking skin. Your skin reflects the foods you choose to include in your diet. If you aren't eating enough vitamins or nutrients, you may experience breakouts and other skin problems. 

Consider a supplement like The Skin Supplement if you need more nutrients. This science-backed supplement is jam-packed with nutrients your skin needs to look its best. Taking it regularly as part of your daily routine can regulate sebum production, prevent transepidermal water loss, and reduce inflammation. 

Skincare For Teenagers From Augustinus Bader

Dealing with acne or other skin problems early is never easy. To achieve a clear complexion, you'll want to target your skin concerns head-on and build a skincare routine that meets your skin's needs.

At Augustinus Bader, we only use the best of the best ingredients. All our formulas are gentle enough to use daily and contain good-for-you ingredients to help you see results.