Teen Skin Care: 8 Simple Tips for Healthy Skin

It may be tossed aside as a stereotype but the teenage years truly can be a time of angst for a lot of 13- to 18-year-olds as they navigate academic demands, social pressures, extra-curricular activities, and the uncertainty of future plans. As if that isn’t enough, add to the mix the stress caused by common skin problems that often plague teen skin —acne, oily skin, periodic breakouts, eczema flare-ups—just to name a few! These skin problems are only exacerbated by the anxieties of teen life and can be annoying at best and devastating when they are at their worst. For many, this is the point at which they begin to implement a skin care routine. Ensuring that teen skin care is practical and beneficial, however, is key. After all, this stage in our lives is also when we tend to make the biggest skin care mistakes, like stripping the skin with harsh toners, baking in the sun without sunscreen and popping pimples.

Looking good and having healthy skin does not need to be complicated—at any age. However, teen skin has unique needs due to hormonal fluctuations that cause an increase in sebaceous gland activity. To optimize the health of teen skin, it's important to have a basic skin care routine that utilizes products that are formulated to nurture the skin, not strip it. Consider the following recommendations:


Get the right acne products

Teens that suffer from breakouts, should use an acne kit that addresses each of the four main causes of acne . Many products are formulated to address just one or two of the causes of acne, which may help to heal current blemishes but does nothing to minimize future breakouts. To ensure that the acne kit works to improve overall skin health, look for products with a nurturing base ingredient (Lexli uses organic, pharmaceutical-grade aloe vera) and soothing ingredients, like antioxidants and botanicals alongside proven acne ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and sulfur.


Cleanse daily with a gentle cleanser for acne prone or oily skin

Cleansing morning and evening with a gentle cleanser suited for acne-prone and oily skin will remove acne-causing bacteria, dirt and excess oil. Lexli Acne Cleanser is formulated to address multiple factors that encourage the development of acne while healing blemishes and controlling oily skin. For those who frequently deal with acne, a product like this can be used each time you cleanse the skin. For those with occasional breakouts, Acne Cleanser can be used just once per day or just several times each week.


Wash off makeup before bed

Makeup that is not washed off before going to sleep can clog pores, aggravating acne and making the skin oilier. By helping your teen to make facial cleansing a habit before bed, you set them up for a lifetime of better skin. Learn more about  how to properly wash your face.


Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliating with a glycolic acid exfoliator , like AloeGlyC® is highly beneficial for those with acne-prone skin, as products like these work to shed excess skin cells that could clog pores, while helping to reduce post-acne pigmentation.


Moisturize

An absolute must in any skin care routine, even for those with oily skin, is use of a good moisturizer that seals in skin’s water content. After all, if your skin becomes dehydrated, it responds by increasing its production of sebum (skin oil). If your skin is truly oily, look to a lightweight formulation like Lexli Daily Moisturizer for Oily Skin . For all other skin types, a daytime formulation that includes sunscreen, like Lexli Day Moisturizer with SPF 30 is recommended.


Wear sunscreen daily

Daily use of sunscreen is vital – regardless of the weather. While sun exposure is often touted as a “cure” for acne, the reality is that any benefit is temporary and, in the long run, UV sun exposure can cause acne flare-ups and leave long-term damage on the skin (encourage your teen to learn about  photoaging). The better option is to protect your skin (daily moisturizers with sunscreen make sunscreen use easy!) and look to a self-tanner or spray tan for that golden glow.


Don’t share makeup

Sharing makeup with friends may seem harmless, but it only spreads bacteria from person-to-person and can lead to skin infections and further acne inflammation. While you're at it, educate your teen about the importance of regularly washing makeup brushes.


Don’t touch your face

Limit face-touching throughout the day, which spreads bacteria and dirt and exacerbates breakouts and other skin conditions. And when tempted to pop a pimple, just say no – unless you know how to pop a pimple safely.

If this all seems too overwhelming, then just finding a place to start is the answer. Begin with a proper skin care routine that is easy to maintain by selecting a kit that includes everything you need. Lexli’s acne treatment kit or trial skin care kit are good options.

For more information about the causes of acne and how to optimize the condition of acne-prone skin, visit https://www.lexli.com/acne/