skin care essentials A Skin Care Routine For Teens

Let’s face it: As a teenager, you have plenty to deal with without having to add doing research on the best skin care and acne treatments for teens to your to-do list. Studying for tests and planning for social events like prom is enough to fill up your schedule. The good news is, while curating the perfect skin care routine for teens may sound time-consuming, it doesn’t have to be. The best way to manage your skin during your teenage years is actually to find a routine that includes a few basics, like facial cleanser, moisturizer, and face masks, then be consistent with it.

Remember: How you treat your skin now will likely play a role in how your skin looks and feels in the future, even many years down the line. To start you off in the right direction, we’re sharing our seven best teenage skin care tips along with skin care product recommendations. Keep reading to learn how to build the best skin care routine for teens.

7 TIPS FOR CREATING A SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR TEENS

These years are sure to be full of lots of trial and error, but the same doesn’t need to be true for your teenage skin care routine. Adhere to the following easy tips, and it should be smooth sailing.

TEEN SKIN CARE TIP #1: USE A FACIAL CLEANSER MORNING AND NIGHT

We won’t judge you if you haven’t been cleansing your skin every morning and night thus far. But from now on, no excuses. Washing your face is an absolute must for everyone, morning and night, and that includes teens. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), oily or acne-prone skin is prevalent in teenagers, meaning it could be necessary to wash your face as frequently as two to three times a day. 

Most importantly, it’s all about choosing a facial cleanser formulated for your skin type, concerns, and needs. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay line, which contains two clay-to-mousse facial cleansers, has options for different skin types and can be used once per day (you'll use a different face wash for your second cleanse of the day).

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox and Brighten Cleanser: It’s time to hop on the charcoal beauty trend. Immediately after using this clay cleanser formula, which is enhanced with charcoal, skin is purified of dirt, oil, and pollution and left with a clean, clear look. It’s suitable for all skin types.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate and Refine Cleanser: What do you get when you pair cleansing with exfoliation? That would be this facial cleanser! This clay cleanser goes beyond daily cleansing to help exfoliate the surface of your skin. Immediately, skin is purified of dirt, oil, and pollution and is left with a clean, clear look. It’s suitable for oily to combination skin.

TEEN SKIN CARE TIP #2: KEEP WHAT YOUR SKIN TOUCHES CLEAN

It would be nice if just cleansing your face was enough to take care of your skin in totality, but that isn’t quite the case. Besides your face, everything that your skin touches should be clean; otherwise bacteria, dirt, and oil can be transferred to your skin. No good. Pay attention to what your skin comes into contact with and keep it clean. That means wiping off your cell phone after making calls or texting and being sure to regularly wash your makeup blenders and brushes. (Here’s How to Clean Makeup Brushes and Blenders.)

TEEN SKIN CARE TIP #3: ALWAYS APPLY MOISTURIZER POST-CLEANSING

Sometimes two things just go together so well, you wouldn’t want one without the other. Peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, and of course, facial cleanser and moisturizer. Every time you break out your facial cleanser, you’ll want to follow up shortly afterward with moisturizer. While your skin is still damp, smooth on a hydrating cream or lotion that suits your skin type to lock in moisture. Have your pick from the moisturizers in the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius line.

L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Dry Skin: Normal and dry skin faces external factors such as pollution and UV rays that can damage the skin’s moisture barrier, increasing loss of moisture and causing it to become drier. As a result, skin’s surface loses its glow and becomes dull-looking. This water-based moisturizer envelops skin with moisture for a radiant finish.

L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Oily Skin: In normal and oily skin, external factors such as pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing can damage skin’s moisture barrier, causing loss of moisture and an increase in oil production. As a result, your complexion can start to look overly shiny. This water-based moisturizer helps reduce the appearance of excess shine and has a matte finish.

L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Extra Dry Skin: Your skin has a very fragile moisture barrier that can be easily damaged by external factors such as pollution and UV rays. It consequently loses its ability to retain moisture, becoming easily dehydrated, and feeling tight and uncomfortable. This water-based moisturizer for extra dry skin envelops skin with comforting moisture.

TEEN SKIN CARE TIP #4: REDUCE STRESS

Your teenage skin care routine shouldn’t be solely product-focused. As a teen, we understand everything from school to social events to your parents can cause stress. While that’s perfectly normal, try to reduce stress when you can. According to the AAD, stress can cause acne to flare. No thanks! Consider taking up yoga as a way to unwind. Here are 10 Yoga Poses to De-Stress with This Weekend.

TEEN SKIN CARE TIP #5: DON’T FORGET ABOUT SUN PROTECTION

You’re not too young to start a daily sun protection routine. After moisturizing, reach for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and apply as directed. Toss the bottle in your backpack so you can reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating (which we bet you do in gym class!). In addition to applying and reapplying sunscreen, you should also limit your amount of time in the sun (especially during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), seek shade, and cover up exposed areas.

Editor’s note: If you’re not sure how to reapply sunscreen—especially without ruining your amazing makeup look—here’s How to Reapply Sunscreen the right way.

TEEN SKIN CARE TIP #6: MAKE EXFOLIATION A WEEKLY HABIT

You may be young, but that doesn’t mean your skin doesn’t need regular exfoliation. Sloughing off dead skin cell buildup, oil, dirt, and debris is a must if you want to keep your skin breakout-free. There’s no need to go overboard here—use a gentle face scrub once or twice a week to get started, and if your skin gets used to it quickly, you can increase the frequency.

The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar line includes four different face scrubs made with a blend of three pure sugars. Choose from the following face scrubs based on your skin’s particular type and needs.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub: Late nights spent studying and early morning classes can leave your skin (and you!) feeling and looking tired. Wake it up by exfoliating with this face scrub, which is formulated with real Kona coffee grounds and can help reenergize your complexion.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub: If your skin tends to be on the dry side, this is the scrub for you. It’s formulated with nourishing coconut oil and rich cocoa butter, and will leave your skin feeling extra soft and hydrated.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub: Dull skin can happen to anyone, no matter their age. To combat that, this scrub gives your complexion a glow, thanks to a formula containing finely ground acai and grapeseed oil.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Kiwi Scrub: Tend to break out often? This scrub, which is formulated with real kiwi seeds, is your match. It polishes away dead skin cells and purifies your pores.

TEEN SKIN CARE TIP #7: ADD FACE MASKS TO YOUR SOCIAL CALENDAR

Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. Invite a few friends over and set up a masking bar. Put out face masks that address various complexion concerns and have everyone coat their skin in at least one face mask. When one isn’t enough, try multi-masking. This trendy technique involves applying different face masks to different spots on your face—all at the same time. Basically, "the more the merrier" applies to both friends and face masks.

Below are four face masks you can wear alone or mix and match. Just apply your face mask(s) of choice to clean, dry skin, leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use two to three times a week for best results.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask: Over time, harsh cleansing can be drying and sensitizing, leaving skin feeling uncomfortable. As a result, skin needs cleansing that is effective yet gentle. This face mask formula is enhanced with seaweed and can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils, and gently cleanse stressed areas.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask: Over time, harsh environmental factors like pollution and debris can damage skin, leaving your complexion looking dull and tired. This face mask formula is enhanced with charcoal and can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and pollution, and reduce the look of dull skin.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask: Day after day, dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of your skin, leaving your complexion feeling rough. This face mask formula is enhanced with red algae extract and can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils, exfoliate dead skin cells, smooth the look of imperfections, and allow skin to breathe.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask: Daily wear and tear—as well as makeup and improper care—can leave skin looking uneven with roughness and imperfections. This face mask formula is enhanced with yuzu lemon extract and draws out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and pollution, sheds rough, dead skin cells from skin’s surface, clarifies tone, and improves skin texture.

Next up: Read up on The Best Makeup for Teens so you can be equipped with a full teen beauty routine.