Skin Care Regimen for Teenagers

Teenage is the time when we, especially girls, go through a lot of changes. Whether it’s physical or psychological, these changes are primarily due to hormonal changes, stress, new adventures, increased study pressure, and more. These imbalances leave a significant impact on our body, especially on our face. Even a tiny change in your sleep cycle or any emotional outburst becomes prominently visible on your face. Therefore, it’s crucial that we start pampering our skin from a very early age. The earlier we learn to care, the less likely we are to have unhealthy skin.

Common Skin Problems of Teenagers:

Teenagers deal with a wide range of skin issues as they go through puberty, menstrual cycles and hormonal fluctuations.
Breakouts, hormonal acne, oily skin, clogged pores, acne spots, suntan, dehydrated skin, skin sensitivity; these are the few commonest concerns of teenage skin.

Basic Skin Care Routine for Teenagers:

Every previously mentioned problem can be solved gradually through a proper skin care regimen, except hormonal acne.
As it doesn’t have to deal with anything regarding external factors such as impurities and excess dirt. Endocrinologist or respective Dermatologist consultation is required besides basic skin care.
One can enjoy healthy skin by following these effective yet simplest basics everyday:

Cleanser
Toner
Serum
Moisturizer
Sun Protection

Cleanser:

Cleaning your face twice a day is a necessity to control excess sebum production. There is no cheat code for a clean healthy skin. In fact you might need to double cleanse your face in case of heavy makeup with a cleansing milk.
Use a gentle cleanser or facewash according to your skin type, be it acne-prone, oily, or combination to dry. Do not massage harshly; rather, do it by foaming in a circular motion.

Toner:

Toner is aimed to hydrate & soften your skin through layers. It prepares your skin for treatment of your concern. Choose a mild, soothing, calm toner that gently works on your skin. Apply it by soaking a cotton pad into it, then sweeping it across the face.
You can even use soothing gel as a toner, specifically for acne-prone skin. It calms the acne and also helps to heal by giving a soothing effect.

Serum:

Trust me, finding a serum that matches your skin type is a blessing. Serum works as a magic for repairing and maintaining skin health as it can penetrate the outer layer.
Start a hyaluronic acid serum if you have dry skin, or no specific concern for hydration.
Niacinamide concentrated serum is best for mild acne, pores and scars.
Or else, Salicylic Acid can be a good choice for acne. And there are many more! You just have to find the right one.
Recommended to use twice for better results in a tapping motion.

Moisturizer:

You know what Moisturizers do? Everything!
It creates the barrier for your skin through which your skin is protected from the outer particles. It also prevents premature wrinkles and fine lines.
For oily skin type, an oil-free, non-greasy, lightweight formula is needed.
Water-based or gel moisturizer is recommended for acne prone skin.
In case of sensitive skin, choose the formula which has no added fragrance.
And go for a hyaluronic acid based moisturizer for combination to dry skin type.
Do an upward lifting motion for applying it 2/3 times a day.

Sun Protection:

You’re never too young to start using a sun protection routine. Or else, it will increase the melanin production and develop hyperpigmentation.
Use it every time, 30 minutes before you go outside or to the kitchen, even if you stay indoors. As radiation from electronic gadgets due to increased using-time also causes damage to your teenage skin.
After applying moisturizer, go for a sunscreen that has SPF of 30 or higher. Remember to reapply after 2-3 hours if needed.

Some Non-Compulsory Products for Extra Care:

You can use a scrub to exfoliate your skin by removing dead cells and cleaning pores, twice a week.
A sheet mask for extra hydration once a week will be a good one to do.
Rather than heavy makeup products, you can use BB or CC Cream for light coverage and easy-to-clean makeup look.
A lip balm or lip tint is sufficient for regular lip care.
Acne Spot Cream can be used once a day, if you have severe spot issues. Definitely suggested by the dermatologist.
Don’t forget to wash your scalp regularly in case of oily, greasy scalp to reduce the chance of acne.

Few Quick Tips to Learn For Healthy Teenage Skin:

Determine your skin type. You need to analyze your skin type first if it is oily, dry, combination or sensitive to start taking care.
Choose the right product according to the type of your skin. Otherwise it will worsen the situation rather than betterment.
Maintaining a healthy diet is a must. Nothing is subsidiary of this rule. Eat fresh fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water, have less oily & spicy food. And definitely add fibers to your regular meal.
Restrain yourself from poking, scratching or even frequently touching your face. It will only increase acne, acne spots and long-term scars.
Have a proper sleep, worry less. Try to sleep 6-8 hours for a healthy looking skin. It’s your beauty sleep, you need it. And let the worries not come close to you. Start meditating or pilates.
Practice few hygienic habits. Wear clean clothes, take shower regularly. Change your pillow cover once a week. Clean your face towel twice a week.
Always practice removing makeup. Whenever you apply makeup, make sure to double cleanse with cleansing milk/micellar water or coconut oil or regular facewash.
Stop trying out every remedy you go through on social sites. This is a must. Everyone is a skin specialist these days by the blessing (read cursing) of social media. You don’t need to follow them just because any social media star recommends that. Seek professional help in case of need.

Stick to the regimen. The simpler it is to start, the tougher it is to maintain. So try to follow the routine on a regular basis. So definitely, by maintaining these regimen you can have a healthy teenage skin. But try to maintain it for at least 2/3 months to have effective results. Alternating products now and then can lead to irritating and damaged skin.

Dr. Shahida Husna Azmiri
Medical Office
Bogura Branch