During early adolescence, tween / teenage skin changes quickly, and it can be confusing for both doctors and parents to know what their child actually needs when issues arise due to this. Between social media trends and product-heavy advice, many teens end up using routines designed for adults — which can do more harm than good. When treating adolescent skin, it's crucial that the goal is keeping the skin healthy while supporting it.
Adolescent skin behaves differently from adult skin because hormones increase oil production while the skin barrier is still developing. This combination often leads to breakouts but also sensitivity from barrier impairment. Using harsh products or too many “active” ingredients can easily cause irritation, increased breakouts, increased sensitivities and redness. It is why a gentle, age-appropriate approach matters so much.
The most effective skincare routine for adolescents is simple. Every teen needs three basics: a gentle hydrating cleanser, a lightweight moisturizer and daily sunscreen. Cleansing removes oil and impurities without stripping the skin, moisturizing keeps the barrier strong (even for oily skin), and sunscreen protects against redness, irritation, and uneven skin tone. When these basics are consistent, the skin is better able to calm breakouts and heal naturally.
We do find with young teens that they have to be taught good skincare habits:
- This means showing them how to wash their face preferably at the sink when they brush their teeth.
- It also means showing them how to apply their products in the correct order and correct amount. You can do this by first keeping their product at the kitchen sink and helping them do their routine. Children often don't know how to wash their face and must be shown. All products used you child will use about a dime size - which is to the first crease of their pointer finger.
For non-acne, supporting the skin with gentle barrier support to keep acne bacteria away and skin balanced is more then anough. Less is more. Avoid all tik tok marketing. Products should be based in science and meant for young skin.
1. Cleanse: Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
*Do not scrub. Use cool or tepid water. Pat dry with a fresh soft cloth.
2. Moisturize: Face Reality Barrier Gel Cream
*Apply a dime size to the entire face, avoiding eyes.
3. SPF: Face Reality Mineral Matte SPF 28
1. Cleanse: Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
2. Moisturize: Face Reality Barrier Gel Cream
* Apply a dime size to the entire face, avoiding eyes.
If acne needs extra support, home care treatments should be introduced slowly and carefully. More products or stronger formulas do not mean faster results — in fact, they often slow progress by irritating the young skin and can often cause more breakouts.
*It is very important if your child has been using over the counter actives or prescription topical to have them stop and do the above gentle routine for 2 week before starting the below routine. It is also very important to go slow. Less is more and their skin needs time to acclimate.
1. Cleanse: Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
Do not scrub. Use cool or tepid water. Pat dry with a fresh soft cloth.
2. Correct: Face Reality Barrier Mandelic 5% Serum
* Apply 1 pump to the entire face, avoiding eyes.
3. Moisturize: Face Reality Barrier Gel Cream
*Apply a dime size to the entire face, avoiding eyes.
3. SPF: Face Reality Mineral Matte SPF28
1. Cleanse: Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
2. Correct: The first two weeks, we start new inflamed acne clients on Face Reality Advanced Acne Med 5% using the timing schedule below to allow skin to acclimate and avoid irritation and unnecessary dryness. DO NOT SPOT TREAT. Use a dime to nickel-sized amount over the ENTIRE acne-prone area, avoiding the eye area.
Face Reality Advanced Acne Med 2.5%
Timed Acne Med Schedule:
- First 3 days: apply all over for 15 minutes
- Days 4-6: apply all over for 30 minutes
- Days 7-9: apply all over for 1 hour
- Days 10-14: apply all over for 2 hours
3. RINSE OFF
4. Moisturize: Face Reality Barrier Gel Cream
* Apply a dime size to the entire face, avoiding eyes.
AT 2 WEEKS - NIGHTS 15-30:
1. CLEANSE
2. BEGIN USING ACNE MED 2.5% OVERNIGHT - APPLY AND LEAVE ON OVERNIGHT
3. WAIT 5 MINS
4. THEN APPLY FACE REALITY BARRIER GEL CREAM.
AT 4 WEEKS - NIGHTS 30+:
1. CLEANSE
2. APPLY MANDELIC 5% SERUM
3. APPLY ACNE MED 5% OVERNIGHT - APPLY AND LEAVE ON OVERNIGHT
3. WAIT 5 MINS
4. APPLY FACE REALITY BARRIER GEL CREAM.
If your child’s acne isn’t improving with over-the-counter products, or if it’s causing pain or embarrassment, it may be time to talk with your pediatrician.
The above is how we clear clients in our clinic. Is this is too much for a very young person, you can begin this routine. You will want to have your child take 2 weeks prior to starting this and do the gentle routine first to support their barrier as acne can get worse if the barrier is not supported first.
1.
1. Cleanse: Face Reality Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
*Do not scrub. Use cool or tepid water. Pat dry with a fresh soft cloth.
**Begin Face Reality Acne Face & Body Wash in 4 weeks in place of Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser
2. Correct: Face Reality Barrier Mandelic 5% Serum
*Apply 1 pump every other day to the entire face, avoiding eyes.
**Move to daily use in 4 weeks.
3. Moisturize: Face Reality Barrier Gel Cream
Cleanse: Face Reality Acne Face & Body Wash
*Do not scrub. Use cool or tepid water. Pat dry with a fresh soft cloth.
2. Moisturize: Face Reality Barrier Gel Cream
*Apply a dime size to the entire face, avoiding eyes.
520 Hillside Ave. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Call 630 - 488 - 6334 | Text 929-305-1465