Teen Skin
Teenagers have so many concerns, embarrassments, worries and angst in today’s society – the last thing they need is troubled skin.
The good news is that there are solutions out there. The first step, however, is determining their skin type, thereafter you will be able to determine the best care and treatment.
- Normal (smooth skin tone, soft texture, no visible blemishes, pores barely visible, few imperfections).
- Dry (dull, rough, scaly, itchy, no visible pores).
- Oily (acne-prone with open pores, blackheads and pimples. Hormones affect oil production, and anything that affects hormone levels will influence your skin, including stress).
- Combination (oily t-zone: forehead, nose, chin with dry skin elsewhere. Pores on t-zone are large and cheeks may appear rough).
FOUR steps to a healthier skin:
- Cleanse and exfoliate
An important step is to remove dirt and rid the skin of excess oil that causes acne. - Hydrate / Moisturize
Know the difference between dry and dehydrated skins. Dry skin lacks oil, whereas dehydrated lacks water. - Treat
- Protect
general tips for teen skin
- Use fragrance-free products to avoid irritating the eye area.
- Never pop or squeeze pimples; use cosmetics and facial products that are 'non comedogenic' (meaning, they do not the clog pores).
- Remember to clean and exfoliate.
- For oily skin, use a cleanser that contains salicylic acid.
- A cleanser containing glycolic acid can help rid skin of dead cells. It is useful for teens who can't tolerate prescription retinoid creams like Retin A. Read the label to see if your cleanser contains these ingredients.
- Don’t use heavy creams. Use creams that have hydrating qualities that put water, not oil back in the skin.
- Watch for indications that you are over treating or over exfoliating (dryness and flakiness).
- If you have dry skin, wash your face with a mild cleanser. Never use a foaming wash as it will dry skin out more, instead use a milky cleanser.
- For dry skin, moisturise with a non-alcohol containing lotion, limit hot showers, high temperatures and low humidity. Watch out for drier skin in winter. Exfoliation is also important for dry skin; however, dryer skin needs less exfoliation.
- Moisturise morning and evening and always apply moisturizer after cleansing.
- Watch out for too much scrubbing which can cause irritation and may trigger acne instead of resolve it.
- Benzoyl peroxide may treat middle acne if used sparingly. Be patient, treating takes time.
- Use a moisturising sunscreen with a SPF 30 for UVA and UVB coverage year-round ... winter as well as summer!
Pump up the Moisturiser during winter!
Water is an essential part of healthy skin. Normally, hydration moves from the inside of the skin to the outer layer. When skin lacks hydration, it becomes dry and flaky. Without adequate moisture, skin looks dry and dull. During winter, the icy outdoor air and blasts of heat from the furnace make things worse. You can compensate for these 'moisture robbers' by using moisturisers and drinking plenty of water.
At home moisturising remedies for dry skin in children
You can use the following to create your own facials and treat dry skin at home:
Aloe Vera, oats, avocado, coconut oil and honey
When Should I Call A professional about My teen Skin?
No matter what your skin type, if you are unsure how to treat acne or other skin problems, you are welcome to come in for a free skin consultation.
We have phenomenal skin care products as well as facials available for younger skin.