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
