Most of the time, parenting is intuitive – you just know what’s right, and what isn’t. However, skincare at a young age is one of those few areas where you can’t be completely sure on your own. Should your teenage daughter use skincare products, or just stick to plain old soap and water? At what age should skincare start?
Fait avec Coeur is an eco beauty brand that caters to a wide audience, and in this article we want to talk about skincare from a young age – specifically why it’s important, how young teens should be when they begin, and what exactly they need to do.
Why is it important to start skincare young?
There are a number of reasons why. First, it takes time to develop good habits. So if you start your teenager out with a gentle skincare regime, by the time they hit their 20s they’ll have built a solid habit that’ll pay off later. It has been found that those who start skincare early effectively delay the onset of aging.
You’ll set your teen up for a lifetime of great skin by starting them early. A lot of skincare is preventative – like keeping your pores unclogged and protecting your skin from sun damage – and skin damage can occur at any age. Of course, we aren’t suggesting you impose a complicated skincare ritual on a 10-year-old, but for teenagers, a light skincare regime is definitely something to consider.
Another reason why it’s a good idea to start young is that healthy habits are a big part of skincare – not smoking, drinking plenty of water, eating healthy food, as a start. It’s never too early to instill these habits in your teenagers, and great skin is an added bonus!
Common teen skin issues
Here are some common skin issues teenagers face. Before you think about skincare, you need to tackle any existing problems. If your teen doesn’t have them but you spot any signs that the problem may be getting ready to appear, start preventative treatment immediately.
Acne
Teenage years are when your hormones start to go crazy, and it often manifests itself in acne breakouts. Acne can really affect your child’s self-esteem, and harsh products can cause more harm than good. So, find non-toxic, sustainable skincare products that solve the problem without making things worse. If your teenager still has acne despite regularly using the products, it may be time to see an esthetician or dermatologist.
Oily skin
Acne and oily skin are often linked together, but it’s possible to have one without the other. Oily skin is a common enough skin type, but it can lead to acne if not managed properly, so your teen needs to take steps to try to control it. If your teen wears makeup, ensure they use the correct type of makeup for oily skin, and are taking proper steps to remove their makeup at the end of the day.
Sunburn
Getting adequate sun exposure gives us crucial vitamin D, but your teen should not do it at the cost of burning their skin. Sunburn is one of the most common teen skin issues, and preventing it is as easy as wearing a hat or sunscreen before they head out for a day on the beach!
Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating could be a sign of hyperhidrosis. If it's frustrating for your teen, it can be treated with medical intervention (medicated antiperspirants, etc). See if your child sweats even when they’re resting, or if the sweaty areas start to get soft and the skin starts to peel. If either happens, consult a doctor.
Taking care of your skin from a young age
When teenagers start to hit puberty, that is usually when their skin starts to change. This is ideally when you should get them started onto a regimen. By the time your teens are older, it can be a little difficult to make them agree to do anything. So if your teen is just starting High School, here’s a regime we recommend you get them onto:
Cleanse
Cleansing should be the first step in any skincare routine. It will remove excess oil, dead skin cells, dust, dirt and any pollutants on the skin surface. Without this step, the hormonal teenage skin can easily become clogged with comedones. We recommend the Mantra Skin Perfecting Cleanser by M.S.Skincare. Using a combination of traditional Ayurveda healing and modern science, this cleanser will leave your teens skin feeling clean and soft, without over-drying.
Exfoliate
It's important for your teen to exfoliate their skin about once a week to facilitate the skin's natural shedding process. This will help to remove any dead skin so that skin products can absorb more easily into the skin. We love M.S.Skincare's Enlighten Retexturizing Glycolic Treatment.
Moisturize skin
After cleansing (and exfoliating once a week), your teen needs to follow with a moisturizer. For normal-oily skin, try Ambrosia de Cerrado Liquid Moisturizer from Earthwise Beauty, or if they have particularly sensitive or dry skin, DEW MTY Bloom Jelly serum bar. The latter comes in a reusable metal container that your teen can take it with them anywhere, and can be used on skin, hair and nails!
Protect skin from the sun
No matter your skin color or age, you need to protect your skin from the sun. Dark-skinned people may not get sunburned as easily, but they can still get sun damage – and prevention is way better than cure! You can get your teenager a product that does two things at the same time – like the Malu Day Cream, which nourishes your skin, and has SPF 30. Using multipurpose products is a great way to simplify your routine – which comes in handy when you’re a teenager rushing to get ready for school. Or they can add Farizads Veil Sun Reflector to their moisturizer of choice.
Remove makeup at night
Some children and teenagers start to wear makeup when they’re quite young. There's no reason why they can't wear makeup, but to avoid clogging their skin, it is good to start them onto a minimal makeup routine, rather than a full-face of makeup. Lip balm, eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara are good starting points – their young skin doesn’t need much else. However, get your teen a high-quality makeup remover and make sure they use it before going to bed. Sleeping with makeup on is terrible for your skin, regardless of your age.
Make sure what your teens learn comes from a respectable source. Skincare and makeup trends on TikTok, for example, can be ineffective at best, and dangerous at worst. Our recent blog on skincare trends discussed this subject in detail.
Tips from the older generation
To live is to learn. Your skincare routine doesn’t have to be very complicated – the steps above are completely sufficient for a young teenager. However, here are some tips from the older generation, from women who’ve learned things the hard way and want to share their insight with our teenagers:
Don’t smoke!
Many teenagers will give smoking a try at some point. However, it can be easy to get addicted to smoking, and once you do, you lose big time. It’s bad for your lungs, your teeth, and even for your skin.
Drink enough water
There are sustainable beauty products that can help hydrate your skin, but plain old water does the job better, while providing a slew of other benefits. Read our blog on this subject to discover the signs of dehydration, how much water you should drink every day, and more.
Use sunscreen on your hands
We slather sunscreen all over our face and limbs, but one spot we often overlook is the back of our hands! Your hands get a lot of sun exposure while driving, tanning, or even while walking around in the sun. Over the years, it can add up and cause irreparable sun damage.
Don’t use soap on your face
The skin on your face is delicate, and you risk drying it out if you use regular soap to wash it. So, when you take a shower, take a moment to switch to a facial cleanser. This will prevent dry skin, which manifests itself in horrible little ways as you age.
Don’t dye your hair at home
At least not unless you want a mediocre result. Go to a hairdresser if you want a professional-quality result. Teenage years are when we experiment with wild hair colors, so be creative, but it's best to always go to a professional, or you risk damaging your hair.
If you have any tips, share them with your teen! It may take repeating and explaining, so be patient, but eventually your experience and your mistakes will help them learn.
Sustainable Beauty at a young age
The new generation is our future. So, if you have kids, it’s important to instill good values in them, and teach them how to be green. In fact, your kids can help you with some of your recycling!
Fait avec Coeur sells beautiful, eco-friendly products that are intended for adults, but some of them (suggested in the previous sections) are also great for younger people. When you use sustainable beauty products, take the time to tell your teen why you’re using that particular product, why it’s good for the environment, and what environmental issues it helps with.
We’ve always said that education is a key factor in bringing out a positive change, and we should all start at home, with our own family. Teach your kids about eco-friendliness, sustainability, and help them embrace the concept. Involve them in your eco-friendly activities, encourage them to read on the subject and share what they learn with their friends, and try to make the whole process fun!
