Before puberty hits us, our skin is as smooth as a baby’s bum. We could be using body soap on our skin and it would still look clear and free of pimples. But once we hit the age of puberty, it starts slow, with little pimples and acne popping up on your forehead. Some will eventually move down to your cheeks and even your jaw.

No matter the severity, studies have found that acne affects more than 85 percent of teenagers. Therefore, if you have the suffix “teen” in your age, you need to be careful of what you put on your skin, as puberty and hormones are already working against your skin’s health. But fret not, as Beauty Insider is sharing some of the best skincare for teenagers. Whether it’s facial foam, moisturisers or serums, we’ve got you covered. Let’s bring back that clear skin you’ve been missing. 

How To Take Care Of Teenage Skin

teenage

During your teenage years, skincare and the thought of clear skin can be frustrating. Not knowing which products and brands to use can cause a heap load of disappointment. These years are also the time for you to do some trial and error with different products. So, how should you face the battle of acne and teenage skincare? Here are a few tips. 

Cleanse

The most important thing to help ensure that your skin doesn’t go haywire is by washing it with a cleanser. Get your hands on a well-formulated cleanser and you’ll be set. Make sure to wash your face twice a day as well for maximum cleanliness. So, you can also have two different cleansers for day and night use. If you have sensitive skin, gentle cleansers are your best option. 

Exfoliate 

Exfoliating your skin can help get rid of dead skin cells. As it reveals a new layer of skin that is healthier, it also helps prevent pores from getting clogged. Regularly exfoliating can also help combat acne and ensure that it doesn’t show up as often. With the right exfoliator, it might just prevent teenage acne as well.

Spot Treatment

Every teenage skincare routine should also include a spot treatment. Breakouts are ultimately inevitable for teenagers. Especially for girls during their menstrual cycle. Hormonal acne can be unpredictable. Benzoyl peroxide is the go-to acne spot treatment that helps with soothing. Other spot treatments can also help reduce redness, inflammation and even acne scars. 

Moisturise

Even if you have oily skin, moisturising your skin is an important part of teenage skincare. Moisturising can prevent your skin from drying out and becoming irritated. As many acne treatments can be drying to the skin, it is important that you moisturise to offer your skin some hydration. 

Sunscreen

Although it may seem insignificant, sunscreen is crucial to any skincare routine. Not just for teenage skin as well. Even if you aren’t going to be under the sun for long, it is good to wear sunscreen every day. This is to shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays and combat any ageing concerns. 

The Best Skincare Products For Teenagers

1. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 

The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is best suited for teenagers with normal to oily skin. It is suitable for daily use and has a soothing foam that cleanses deep into your pores. It also helps remove any oil while not stripping any natural elements of the skin. Its formula is packed with 3 essential ceramides that offer deep cleansing. The presence of hyaluronic acid offers moisture while niacinamide reduces skin irritation. 

Why we love it:

  • For normal to oily skin
  • Helps cleanses deep into pores
  • Formulation packed with three essential ceramides

Cons:

  • Doesn’t help to remove makeup

Price: From $24.50

Where to buy: Amazon

2. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 

Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser is well-known for those with sensitive skin. Its formula is soap-free and doesn’t strip your skin’s protective oils. Aside from cleansing the skin, this gentle cleanser also moisturises. The best part is that it doesn’t clog your pores while doing so! Since it is a mild cleanser, it will not irritate your skin as well. 

Why we love it:

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Non-irritating and moisturising
  • Doesn’t clog your pores

Cons:

  • The bottle does not have a pump

Price: $30.65

Where to buy: Guardian

3. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA 

Struggling with pimples and blackheads? Get Paula’s Choice 2% BHA. This exfoliant is non-abrasive and gentle enough for daily use. Thanks to its 2% of BHA salicylic acid, this leave-on treatment can help unclog pores. Aside from cleaning up dead skin cells, it is also hydrating for your skin. 

Why we love it:

  • Gentle to the skin
  • 2% BHA salicylic acid
  • Cleaning up dead skin, and nourishing

Cons:

  • Quite pricey

Price: $55.00

Where to buy: Paula’s Choice

4. Labos Clear+ Blemish Corrector

labos

​​Choose Labos for brighter, healthier skin. Labos Clear+ Blemish Corrector is a unique and potent combination that effectively heals inflammatory pimples and blemishes. It prevents the production of blemishes by lowering inflammation and microbial activity without causing exfoliation, irritation, or redness. It gets rid of pimples and blemishes on your face in the shortest period possible within 48 hours.

This regeneration gel also aids in the management of sebum and pH. Its key ingredients comprise niacinamide (Vitamin B3), salicylic acid (100% natural and pure), which is known to reduce irritation, and Mexican mint, which helps to reduce blackheads and shrink pores. This gel is ideal for acne-prone, normal, and combination skin.

Why we love it:

  • Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
  • Reduces blackheads, and whiteheads, and tightens pores
  • Heals infected pimples and blemishes
  • Result is visible within 48 hours
  • Suitable for acne-prone, and all skin types

Cons:

  • Might leave your skin feeling dry

Price: $35.00

Where To Buy: Beauty Bank | Lazada

5. CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion 

For teenagers with oily and acne-prone skin, the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion is a great skincare product. It is oil-free and lightweight, so it won’t be clogging any of your pores. Since it is also non-comedogenic, it will offer your skin the hydration it needs. With the help of niacinamide, this moisturiser will also improve your skin’s overall appearance. 

Why we love it:

  • For oily, and acne-prone skin
  • Oil-free, and lightweight
  • Non-comedogenic

Cons:

  • A little lightweight for a nighttime moisturiser

Price: $30.14

Where to buy: Amazon

6. EltaMD UV Shield Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 45

Another product for teenage acne and oily skin is the EltaMD UV Shield Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 45. This oil-free sunscreen offers a mineral-based zinc oxide formula that is dermatologist approved. With SPF 45, it shields your skin from harsh UVA and UVB rays. Furthermore, it is a lightweight product that will not clog your pores and you can wear it under your makeup too!

Why we love it:

  • Oil-free, and lightweight
  • Dermatologist approved
  • Non- comedogenic, and protection from UVA and UVB rays

Cons:

  • Only provides SPF45

Price: $35.90

Where to buy: Lazada

7. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA +BHA Pore-Tight Toner

teenage

For a toner that helps minimise pores, the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner is perfect. Teenage skincare needs hydration and this toner does that while unclogging pores. Besides that, this toner also has a formula that is alcohol-free. To help you achieve smooth skin, its formula also features cactus water, watermelon and hyaluronic acid. Enjoy a glowing complexion with this gentle toner. 

Why we love it:

  • Non-comedogenic
  • Gentle to the skin
  • Features cactus water, watermelon, and hyaluronic acid

Cons:

  • Contains fragrance

Price: $57.00

Where to buy: Sephora

8. Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36

teenage

Suitable for the sensitivity of teenage skin, the Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36 offers a nurturing formula. This sunscreen ensures that you have comfortable wear while ingredients like sunflower seed, cica and green tea reduce both redness and irritation. 

Why we love it:

  • For sensitive skin
  • Reduce redness, and irritation
  • Water-based formula

Cons:

  • Only provides SPF36
  • Only 50ml of product

Price: $38.00

Where to buy: Ubuy

9. The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser

teenage

Combat oiliness, blemishes and uneven skin tone with The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser. This cleanser also acts as an exfoliant to penetrate deep into your skin and unclog pores. If your teenage skincare routine is struggling with blackheads, this cleanser will reduce it. Furthermore, it is also paraben and fragrance-free. 

Why we love it:

  • Non- comedogenic
  • Combat oiliness, blemishes, blackheads, and uneven skin tone
  • Free of paraben, and fragrance

Cons:

  • Might leave the skin feeling stripped

Price: $22.00

Where to buy: Lazada

10. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Salicylic Acid Concentrated Derma Serum

teenage

We’re all aware that the high levels of hormones teenagers are cursed with will result in acne breakouts every now and again. Even though it’s a normal part of growing up, having acne will negatively impact your teenager’s confidence. With the IT Cosmetics’ Bye Bye Breakout Salicylic Acid Concentrated Derma Serum, not only will active acne be cleared up in no time, this product also simultaneously fades acne marks! With 2% salicylic acid and 3% lactic acid that gently exfoliates, this miracle serum has been dermatologically tested to visibly reduce acne in just 3 days and fade post-acne marks in 8 weeks.

Why we love it:

  • Reduces acne and post-acne marks
  • Fast results
  • Rich in salicylic and lactic acids

Cons:

  • Quite pricey

Price: $50.00

Where to buy: Sephora

11. The Body Shop Tea Tree In-Control Hydrator

teenage

The Body Shop is a fantastic brand for teenagers to be exposed to, as this ethical and environmentally-friendly brand makes a great first step into the world of skincare. As we mentioned above, moisturising is important for everyone, including teenagers who are constantly using blemish treatments that dry out the skin. The Body Shop’s Tea Tree In-Control Hydrator gives you a two in one, serving as both a lightweight moisturiser and a blemish-clearing product. Its 96% natural-origin ingredients include tea tree oil and salicylic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells, fight spots, and keep your skin hydrated all day long.

Why we love it:

  • Non-greasy formula
  • Hydrates while fighting blemishes
  • Fast absorption

Cons:

  • Only 40ml of product

Price: $36.00

Where to buy: Lazada

12. Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy

teenage

After you’re done hydrating your skin, don’t forget to hydrate your lips as well. Have you ever noticed that most teenagers walk around with chapped lips? Even though acne is a normal part of the teenage experience, dry and cracking lips certainly aren’t. If you hate the feeling of grease on your lips, try out Vaseline’s Lip Therapy Rosy. This lifesaver softens and soothes the thin skin on your lips while also helping to repair the damage. Made with the iconic Vaseline Jelly, this rosy version has an added sheer pink tint and a light rose fragrance that makes your lips look plump, healthy, juicy, and — of course — rosy!

Why we love it:

  • Extremely moisturising to the lips
  • Rose scented
  • Light pink tint

Cons:

  • Only 10g of product

Price: $3.85

Where to buy: Watsons

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