A 5-Step Skincare Routine for Teens

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and taking care of it is incredibly important—no matter if you’re 13 or 83. Skincare for teens can feel challenging, though, since the hormonal changes that happen during adolescence can make skin concerns like acne and oiliness more likely to occur. Plus, if you’ve never had a skincare routine before, it can feel tricky to know where to start. Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone.

We spoke with Michelle Henry, MD FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and L’Oréal Paris consultant, about the ins and outs of skincare for teens. With her help, we’re walking you through a simple and effective teenage skincare routine and showcasing some of the best skincare products for teenagers to use for healthy-looking skin.

Should Teenagers Have a Skincare Routine?

Skincare should be a part of every young person’s overall healthcare and hygiene regimen, according to Dr. Henry. But there’s no specific age at which you have to start your teenage skincare routine—everyone’s skin is different.

Typically, you’ll want to consider adopting a teen skincare routine when you start noticing changes in your skin. This might look like the occasional pimple or consistent breakouts, skin that feels oilier than it used to, or pores that start to look larger or congested. When in doubt, Dr. Henry says, “As soon as a teenager is starting to wash their face on their own, that’s the time to start a nice gentle skincare regimen.”

A Simple Skincare Routine for Teens

Skincare for teens doesn’t need to be time-consuming (or expensive) to be worth your while. In fact, in many cases, you can get everything you need to care for your skin at your local drugstore. Ahead, we’re sharing a simple skincare routine for teens, as well as a look at some of our best products for teenage skin.

Step 1. Wash your face twice daily

Every teen’s skincare routine should start with cleansing. Washing your face with a gentle cleanser twice daily—once in the morning and once before bed—helps remove excess oil, dirt, and other impurities that can clog your pores or lead to surprise breakouts. Some formulas can even help fight breakouts as they cleanse your skin.

One of our best products for teenage skin is the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser. The creamy face wash contains vitamin C and salicylic acid and helps nourish the skin while removing dirt, makeup, and impurities. Plus, it gently exfoliates to help skin appear smoother and brighter over time.

How To: Wet your face and hands before adding a small amount of cleanser to your fingertips. Massage the cleanser onto your face in gentle and circular motions, rinse with lukewarm (not hot!) water, and gently pat dripping water off your face with a clean towel. You want the skin to be slightly damp before applying serums for the best product absorption.

Step 2. Target skin concerns with a serum

Facial serums are lightweight targeted treatments that can address (and help prevent!) skin concerns like uneven texture and tone. They usually have a fluid texture and are designed to be applied all over your face after cleansing.

When building your teenage skincare routine, you’ll want to select a serum designed for your specific skin type and concerns. If you have oily skin and enlarged pores, we suggest opting for the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum. The non-greasy formula helps brighten the skin tone, refine skin texture, and minimize the appearance of pores. It’s packed with effective, derm-approved ingredients (including salicylic acid, which Dr. Henry recommends for those with acne-prone skin), and is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.

Another great option is the L’Oréal Paris 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum. This serum helps visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots—including those stubborn pink, red, or brown spots that can linger for weeks after a pimple goes away. Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

How To: After washing your face—making sure to leave skin damp with a little water—dispense three to four drops of serum onto your palms, then gently pat the formula onto your face. If you want to layer serums, do so in order of consistency, with the thinnest formulas going first.

Step 3. Apply a lightweight moisturizer

After patting on your serum, apply a moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated and nourished. You may be tempted to skip this step, especially if your skin is oily, but that’s not a good idea. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skipping moisturizer can make your skin dry or dehydrated—which may prompt your body to make more oil to compensate. With that being said, it’s important to use a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. If you’re prone to oiliness or breakouts, look for a water-based (rather than oil-based) moisturizer to help balance your skin without a heavy or greasy feel.

One of our favorite moisturizers for teens is the L’Oréal Paris Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. It provides deep hydration but has a lightweight feel and absorbs quickly, making it a great pick for those with oilier skin. The L’Oréal Paris Collagen Filler Moisture Filler Anti-Aging Moisturizer is another option we love for teenagers, since it’s non-greasy and won’t clog your pores.

How To: Use clean fingers to scoop out a dime-sized amount of your chosen moisturizer and smooth it over your face to help hydrate and nourish your skin.

Step 4. Finish with sunscreen

Sunscreen may be the last thing on your mind as you’re getting ready for school, but a quick daily slather of SPF will definitely pay off in the long run. There are a lot of sunscreens to choose from, but the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with (at least) an SPF 30.

The L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion has you covered. It helps protect skin from damaging UV rays which can lead to sunburns, skin cancer, and premature signs of aging. It also has a lightweight formula you can use without worrying about clogged pores or a greasy texture, and it won’t leave behind an ashy white cast, either.

How To: Apply every morning following your moisturizer and before using any makeup.

Step 5. Treat your skin to a weekly mask

Once a week (or as needed), add a face mask to your routine to pamper your skin. There are plenty of different types of masks to choose from, but we suggest choosing one designed for your skin type and concerns. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you can try a purifying clay mask. A hydrating sheet mask, meanwhile, can be great for when your skin feels dry or dehydrated. This self-care activity is also fun to do with friends—you can even make it a part of your weekly slumber party ritual.

How To: After washing your face (and before any serums or moisturizers), apply your preferred face mask, avoiding the eye area. After removing it—the directions on your chosen product will tell you when and how—you can apply your serums and moisturizer as usual.

Skincare Ingredients for Teens to Avoid

Now that you know all the basics of skincare for teens, let’s quickly cover some of the ingredients you should steer clear of to avoid irritating your skin or worsening breakouts.

• Heavy oils: Heavy, oily formulas aren’t typically considered good skincare products for teens, since teenage skin is often already on the oilier side. So while you do need moisturizers to help keep your skin hydrated and balanced, the AAD says it’s best to stick with lightweight options that won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or clog your pores.
• Facial scrubs: The Mayo Clinic suggests steering clear of facial scrubs, which can be harsh on the skin and may lead to irritation or breakouts. If you want to exfoliate, do so with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser or serum.
• Alcohol: According to the Mayo Clinic and AAD, using products that contain alcohol or astringent ingredients can cause irritation and make skin feel dry.
• Fragrances: While a nice scent can make your skincare experience more fun, fragrances can irritate sensitive skin. Pay attention to how fragrance impacts your skin and opt for products without them if necessary.

And while we’re on the topic of things to avoid, try to resist the temptation to pop or pick at pimples, as doing so can worsen the blemish or even lead to scarring. And make sure to always start your teenage skincare routine with clean hands; the last thing you want is to add bacteria from dirty hands onto your face that you’re trying to clean.

Finally, remember that skincare for teens isn’t one-size-fits-all, and what works for one person may not work as well for the next. If you have detailed questions or need help building a routine tailored to your skin concerns, consider scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist.

Next Up: What’s the Best Skincare Routine Order?

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris