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Young, sensitive skin naturally has different needs and does not require the same type of maintenance as older skin types. This means that if children are not careful, they can damage their faces in the long term.
Understanding the rise of teen skincare
The hashtag #Teenageskincare has been viewed more than twenty-two billion times on TikTok, flooding viewers with countless product recommendations and revealing the power that tweens and teens have in the beauty industry. Marketing research indicates that the use of social media marketing is one of the key trends driving growth in the teen personal care products market, which is expected to reach $8.81 billion by 2026.
This is largely because teens and young adults are highly susceptible to informational biases, meaning they are more likely to take the skincare advice they receive from influencers (who are trying to sell products) as fact. “This sensitivity stems from a lack of basic knowledge about skin physiology and formulation chemistry, fueled by an unfiltered trust in the stories of self-proclaimed experts on social media,” explains Cezary Skobowiat, Ph.D., DSc, DVM, chief of psychodermatology. science advisor Home-madea psychodermatology-based skincare brand.
The desire among teens to “eradicate imperfections” has always been there, but today it is even more prevalent than before. On social media, teens are inundated with images of filtered, flawless skin, making it seem like “perfection” is within reach with the help of whatever “miracle product” an influencer is trying to sell. The concern for experts, however, is that much of the skin care glorified on social media ‘is aimed at adult skin concerns – such as age-related reduced collagen production, signs of overexposure to UV and pollution – and may not always be the best . suitable for younger teenage skin,” says psychodermatologist Keira Barr, MD.
Why teens should approach their skin routines with caution
The skin is an intelligent organ that knows what to do to balance and protect itself. When you start bombarding it with active ingredients, it can mess with this natural function, which can cause real problems in younger skin types.
“If this younger age group introduces too much too quickly, it can disrupt this natural cycle and lead to skin burns or cause cell turnover to occur too quickly,” says Howard Lancer, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Lancer- skin care. “This will then confuse the natural processes of the skin cycle, contributing to premature damage, peeling, redness, breakouts, irritation and more.”
A normal tween barrier consists of lipids that keep bad things out and good things in, providing a first line of defense against the environment. Although young people’s skin barriers are quite strong, they are also quite thin, making it easier for them to compromise. That’s why experts warn against adding harsh actives like AHAs, retinol, and vitamin C to their routines, as they can significantly irritate the skin barrier and cause increased sun sensitivity.
According to Evan Rieder, MDa board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist based in New York City, these ingredients can “aggravate acne and eczema,” both of which are common in young people, and can strip away the natural ceramides in the skin’s layers, leaving the barrier in place. in an even weaker state.
Only after a teen turns 20 should they move on to adding more active ingredients to their routine, because then cell turnover and collagen production slow down. “It becomes wise and practical to start incorporating high actives, which will help the skin cope with these changes,” says Dr. Lancer. Until then, young people should be careful not to overload the skin with actives and anything labeled ‘anti-aging’ as the risks outweigh the benefits.
How to create an effective skin care routine for teens
None of this is to say that teens shouldn’t use skin care at all. Many teens experience acne, increased oil production, and hyperpigmentation as they go through the hormonal shifts that come with puberty, and there are plenty of safe ingredients they can use to address these issues that won’t damage their skin in the long run. will damage.
Pros recommend salicylic acid for treating acne (although Dr. Barr recommends starting with a low concentration and gradually increasing it “to minimize side effects such as excessive dryness, irritation, and increased sensitivity”), and niacinamide for balancing the oil production and fading of discoloration.
In addition to treating pressing concerns, a solid skincare routine for teens should “keep it simple and focus on supporting skin barrier function and protecting the skin from environmental damage like UV exposure and pollution,” says Dr. Barr. This means using a soap-free cleanser in the morning and evening, applying an oil-free lotion in the morning followed by an SPF 30+, and using a barrier-building moisturizer before bed.
With all that in mind, understanding skin physiology and formulation chemistry is complex and presents a significant challenge for young people to make informed choices about the right skin care. Visit dermatologists, who can guide teens on proper routines and how to avoid bad habits that can compromise their skin barriers. “Trained professionals can help by cautioning against the use of products that contain banned ingredients such as hydroquinone, other bleaches, phthalates, strong peels and harsh abrasives,” explains Dr. Skobowiat out.
Prioritizing these considerations will give tweens and teens the opportunity to create skin care routines that not only address their immediate concerns, but also contribute to positive long-term skin health as they age.