Skincare for Teens: A Practical Starting Point

Teenage skin is driven largely by hormones. Androgens surge during puberty, increasing sebum production — which is why acne is so common in teens regardless of how clean their skin is. The answer is not an aggressive 10-step routine; it is a short, consistent, evidence-based approach that treats what is actually happening without damaging the skin barrier.

• The core routine for most teens: gentle low-pH cleanser morning and night, lightweight non-comedogenic moisturiser, SPF 30+ every morning.
• For acne: add benzoyl peroxide (2.5–5%) or salicylic acid (0.5–2%) as a targeted treatment — these are the most evidence-backed OTC options.
• Avoid: harsh scrubs, high-alcohol toners, very high-strength acids, and retinoids without professional guidance at this age.
• Toners, essences, ampoules, and most serums are unnecessary at this stage — simplicity works better and costs less.
• Skin picking worsens scarring and PIH significantly. If picking is difficult to control, it is worth talking to a doctor — this can be a form of body-focused repetitive behaviour.
• Seeing a dermatologist for moderate-to-severe acne is important early — untreated cystic acne causes permanent scarring that is far harder to address later.