The Importance of Skincare As A Teenager
- Amy Lian
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 14
Acne. Oily skin. Dry patches. Sounds familiar? As teenagers, our skin can feel like the bane of our existence due to puberty and hormonal changes. Luckily, there are many ways that we can do to improve the quality and health of our skin, with the first step being developing a good, consistent skincare routine! A skincare routine involves the practices and products used to maintain and improve the health and appearance of skin (CeraVe, n.d.). Teen skincare routines matter because they provide many benefits that can boost confidence, as well as establishing good habits that can be used later on.
During puberty, a teen can undergo hormonal changes that leads to the increase of androgens, which stimulates the oil glands in the skin to produce more sebum. For many teens, this change can lead to a number of problems such as greasier skin or clogged pores. Frequent acne breakouts and black-heads or lesions are results of what teens can experience due to excessive productions of sebum occurring. Other common concerns that can happen include dry patches after winter, sun sensitivity, or allergic reactions. Always note that genetics will always play a huge factor in acne development (Children’s Skin Center PA, 2024).
Although building a healthy skincare routine may seem easy, teens often find themselves making many common mistakes. The most common one yet is not knowing their skin type. Oftentimes, many people disregard the fact that each skin type actually needs different support. Your skin may benefit from different products than what you assume, so always make sure to check if your skin is either oily, dry, or sensitive! Adding on to that, many teens often think that over washing can help the skin, removing any bacteria needed. However, over washing can be the cause of even more breakouts. Your skin actually needs balance, not over-cleansing. Although it may be tempting, popping pimples can lead to several downsides such as scarring, pushing bacteria deeper, and more. It almost always makes things worse, which is why it’s better to be patient and spot-treat instead (Essance Skincare, n.d.).
Getting to know the causes of breakouts and common mistakes that teens can make are essential to making a skincare routine of your own! The first step into making a skincare routine is finding out what type of skin you have and go from there! Cleansers are a big step in a skincare routine. Cleansers can remove dirt, bacteria, or sweat buildups. Use a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser and look for specific ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and glycerin (CeraVe, n.d.). Non-comedogenic refers to a product that contains ingredients that won’t clog or block the pores on your skin (NIVEA, n.d.). Next are moisturizers. Moisturizers play a big role in keeping the skin barrier healthy, preventing it from drying out. Choose a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer, as well as gel-based moisturizers for oily skin. Many teens can often look past sunscreens, but sunscreens can protect teens’ skins from UV damage, which can cause dark spots after acne. Aim for a SPF between 30-50 for sufficient protection (Heyday, 2020). Lastly, there can always be extra steps taken in order to maximize the effects and protection of a skincare routine. Teens can always make a choice to exfoliate 1-2 times a week to unclog pores or even use face masks for benefits such as improving your skin’s texture or appearance (Healthline, 2020).
Starting early with building a consistent skincare routine helps with a number of things. Teens can feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin. Teens can establish good habits that’ll benefit them throughout their lives. Teens can even prevent acne scars, ensuring that their skin remains smooth and scar-free (Age to Perfection, 2025). Overall, addressing these issues can help build a routine that will prevent problems from worsening over time.
Teenagers can often undergo lots of hormonal and puberty changes, causing their skin to break out more easily due to the production of sebum. These changes are natural and are a part of growing up. However, it can lead to long-term consequences if not taken care of properly. Starting a skincare routine can erase all consequences from happening. By educating yourself about the many types of skin types there are, how to build a routine, and products, you will be able to take care of your body and give it the respect that it deserves.
Work Cited:
Jordan, A. (2025, June 4). Why is it important for teens to have facials: A path to healthy skin and confidence. Age To Perfection.
Non-comedogenic products and what does it mean?. NIVEA. (n.d.). https://www.nivea.com.au/advice/skin/what-does-non-comedogenic-mean
Heyday. (2020, July 15). Sunscreen 101: Everything you need to know about SPF. Heyday. https://www.heydayskincare.com/blogs/skin-deep/the-core-four-sunscreen#:~:text=SPF%20Explained,minutes%20prior%20to%20sun%20exposure!
Sharkey, L. (2020, February 26). How do you know which face masks are legit?. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/do-face-masks-work#ingredients-to-avoid
Tran, J. (n.d.). 10 common teen skincare mistakes (and how to avoid them with essance). Essance Skincare.
https://essanceskincare.com/blogs/essance-skincare-blogs-articles/common-teen-skincare-mistakes?srsltid=AfmBOoo_pOjZUS3V6YQ78vjyoejDefyyJGZt5ltGp6PRAhwxJtUjeo3K
Illa, J. (2024, April 1). Teen skin health: Acne, hormones, and skincare tips. Children’s Skin Center PA.
https://www.childrensskincenter.com/2024/01/12/teen-skin-health-acne-hormones-and-skincare-tips/#:~:text=These%20hormones%20trigger%20the%20enlargement,Inflammation
Skincare routines. CeraVe. (n.d.).
https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-routines#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20skincare%20routine,and%20anti%2Daging%20skincare%20routine.
What’s the ideal facial cleanser for your skin type? CeraVe. (n.d.-b). https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/how-to-choose-face-wash-cleanser-for-skin-type
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