Skincare Guide for Teens

Adolescence is a period when teenagers experience multiple things at once. It is a phase where you complete your high school projects while occupying your weekends with social events. You are inclined towards new sports but are figuring out which field you wish to get a specialized degree in. While you are in the midst of change and adapting to new realities, you might have to squeeze in some time to focus on your skin health, too.

During the teenage years, our bodies undergo significant transitions that influence our skin health.   Teen skincare is crucial around this time, as your skin may be on the brink of acne, breakouts, or sun damage if not given proper attention.

Don't worry! A skincare routine for teens is completely different from the ones followed by adults and does not involve following a 10-step beauty regime. That's because a teen's skin is young and healthy. Now, let's take a closer look at the unique characteristics of teenage skin.

Teenage skin is more resilient than adult skin because the body is still in a growth phase during adolescence. During youth, the body's biological processes produce ample collagen and elastin, necessary proteins that provide skin strength and elasticity.

Additionally, the high metabolic rate in teens has excellent capacity for repair and regeneration. It supports quicker cellular turnover, allowing the skin to shed and replace old cells with new ones.

However, it is advised to follow a good  skincare routine for girls and boysto avoid skincare issues during the body's maturation from teen to adulthood.

Teenagers experience several differences in their skin condition during their formative years due to hormonal changes. Some of these include:

1.  Sebum Production: When puberty hits, the body experiences a rise in hormone levels called androgens. These hormones prompt the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum or oil. Excess sebum production leads to oily skin and a higher chance of clogged pores or breakouts.

2.  Acne: The combination of overactive oil glands, the increased concentration of sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells can cause inflammation, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Hence, teen acne is prevalent, and teenagers get it on their faces, back, neck, and shoulders.

3.  Excessive Sweating: Due to the increased activity of sweat glands during puberty, profuse sweating is a common issue that a teen body experiences. This leads to skin rashes, body odor, and discomfort, especially in areas like the neck, hands, underarms, and feet.

4.  Sensitivity: Whether it is for playing a sport or for juggling from one coaching to another, teenagers spend most of their day outdoors. In that case, their skin is prone to damage from sun exposure and other environmental stressors, such as dryness from extreme wind or oily skin from humidity. This scenario, clubbed with hormonal fluctuations, leads to potential skin irritation.

Although teenage skin is robust, skin suppleness and strong barrier protection diminish with age. The following is a  skincare routine for teenswith suggestions for the   best teenage skin care products they can incorporate into their daily regime.

1. Use a Gentle Cleanser

To prevent dirt, sweat, and sebum from settling on your face, make it a habit to cleanse your skin both morning and night using a soap-free, artificial fragrance-free, and pH-balancing gentle  face wash for teens.Based on your skin type (oily, dry, or normal), you can choose from the  best face wash for teenage skin in India.

For instance, if you have oily skin, use a  salicylic acid oil control face wash to remove impurities and clear clogged pores. Teens with dry or patchy skin can opt for a  hyaluronic acid face wash to hydrate their skin and retain its moisture. 

Those with normal skin can use a cleanser for teenage skin without targeting any specific skin condition. For plump skin with a smooth texture, you can try the popular  niacinamide face wash

 2. Moisturize Your Skin

Like cleansing, remember to moisturize your face twice a day, as your skin needs its daily dose of hydration. Moisturizers help keep the skin soft and supple, protect against premature aging, and delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Make sure to choose lightweight moisturizers.

For teens with oily and acne-prone skin, consider using  acne spot corrector that reduces acne and breakouts. You could also choose an  acne moisturiser that prevents acne causing built up. 

 3. Exfoliate Once a Week

To avoid clogging your pores from over-sweating or sebum production, use a face mask once a week to exfoliate your skin.  Exfoliators with an AHA blend and salicylic acid treat and nourish the skin, reduce tan, and remove dead skin cells.

 4. Sun Protection

The sun's harmful rays shouldn't stop you from enjoying the teen life outdoors. You can use a lightweight, oil-free, and non-sticky sunscreen with SPF 50 PA++++.  The Hybrid Dewy-Finish Ceramide Sunscreen helps lock in moisture, fights free radicals, and leaves zero white cast. Make sure to reapply your sunscreen every 3-4 hours, indoors or outdoors.

 5. Adopt Healthy Makeup Practices

If you wear makeup regularly, use skin-friendly, clean makeup products. Remember to  double-cleanse your face with a mild   cleanser for teenage skin before bed and clean your makeup brushes routinely.

 6. Limit Touching Your Face

Every time you touch your face, you spread oil, dirt, and bacteria, which can turn into a breakout. Also, avoid picking at your pimples as it can lead to scars, spread infection, or inflammation.

 7. Follow a Healthy Routine

Embrace a healthy lifestyle by consuming whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, engaging in active sports, and drinking plenty of water.

Staying consistent with your skincare routine is key to achieving the best results. Remember, pampering your skin is not just about appearance; it's an essential part of your self-care journey.