It’s a hard time for some of you going through puberty because of hormones causing oil, acne or sensitivity, and you may be really worried about how to “fix” it. Please listen to your skin’s needs and don’t blindly and easily trust every viral trends you see.
Misleading Trends
Skincare trends on social media come with a mix of good advice and, sometimes, pretty toxic messages. Most people haven’t been taught about skincare and they don’t really know how to care for their skin, especially teenagers. Instead, they turn to influencers for answers, and get long routines and endless product reviews.
Maybe you’ve watched the video on TikTok of a teenage girl using 20+ products for her routine, or the one applying retinol on her face twice a day. Most of these teens are influenced by the overwhelming hype surrounding skincare products, with fancy packaging and promises of results. However, behind the aesthetics is more hype than help.
In face of hyperbole and thousands of advertisements, It’s no wonder get lost when it comes to. When you’re just told you have to clean twice at night, and then another post says that’s not necessary five minutes later. All these mixed messages with no scientific explanation leave people wasting a lot of money or time on wrong products and methods that don’t actually help or even hurt your skin.
Making It Simple
Teen skin has its own needs and challenges. Thanks to puberty, hormonal changes tend to produce excessive oil, especially in areas like the forehead, nose and chin, where need extra care. However, teenager’s skin barrier is still developing, making it relatively sensitive compared to adults. That’s why they should choose gentle yet effective products and avoid harsh products that can harm sensitive skin.
For all teens, a simple daily skincare routine is more than enough for most skin needs, using only cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. Cleanser is for removal of oil, sweat and dirt from the skin, which may clog your pores and lead to blackheads or even pimples. Moisturiser is used after cleansing to keep skin stay hydrated and lock in moisture. Hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin health – it strengthens the skin barrier and makes it less sensitive or irritated. Besides, sun protection is more effective in preventing many skin problems such as sunburn, premature aging or skin cancer. The combination of these three products basically meets skin needs for teens.
Read about: VIDEO: We tried Ashton Hall’s skincare routine – revolutionary or just another TikTok trend?
Unnecessary or Mistakes steps
When it comes to teenager skincare, less is often more. However, social media trends won’t tell you the truth. Here’s some tips to remind you of mistakes you might have already made.
One of the most common steps is toner, and you may see most routines people recommended online include it. First of all, I wouldn’t say toner is a wrong step, but young skin just doesn’t necessarily need one. Toner is used for removal of cleanser’s residue and skin’s pH balance. If you are doing a gentle and effective routine with cleanser and moisturizer, that’s enough. Sometimes, it could even dry out or irritate your skin if it contains alcohol or astringents.
Another mistake? Using high-strength functional skincare products used for antiaging, brightening, and acne treatment. There’s no doubt that the active ingredients in these products are powerful, but they’re also too harsh for teen’s tender skin. Using them at an early age, or layering too many products could be really redundant and harmful, causing skin barrier damage and sensitivity.
What’s more, over-cleansing is a step many people have taken in their daily routine. It seems like there is nothing wrong with thoroughly cleaning your face, especially if you have oily skin. To be honest, it is absolutely fine with cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser, coupled with infrequent use of a mild exfoliator. However, never trust the myth which tells you to cleanse multiple times with multiple products. It can only damage your skin barrier and lead to more oil production or even irritation.
Stick to what your skin actually needs, and don’t follow the trends blindly because the algorithms don’t always tell you the truth. Teenage skincare routines with layers of serum have gone viral, including salicylic acid, retinol, niacinamide and vitamin C. It looks to be effective, but it’s too much for a young and developing skin when they combine. The viral fad may not suit your skin, and it’s entirely possible that it’s a mistake.
Read more: WTF is the Caveman Face Routine?
Why it matters
Skincare routine isn’t just about how many layers you apply, or how effective a product is, but more about what your skin needs. When young people are overwhelmed by viral trends on social media, it’s easy to get misled and lost. Instead, building a healthy and scientific skincare routine at an early age makes a big difference.
Plus, if you are considering making a change on skincare related to acne treatment or other skin issues may happen in puberty, please book an appointment with your dermatologist and get the most suitable and safest recommendation.
