Effective Skin Care Tips For Teenagers
Use A Gentle Cleanser
To wash your face properly, use a cleanser that suits your skin type to avoid drying out your skin or causing irritation. Don’t scrub harshly; instead, use gentle, circular motions, making sure to reach every inch of your face.
Avoid using soap (unless it is specifically for washing face), as it can irritate the pores on your face and trigger acne and pimples.
If you have oily or normal/combination skin, use a daily cleanser that contains salicylic acid to control excessive oil production and increase hydration. Cleansers containing salicylic or lactic acid help in dissolving dirt and oil, thus unclogging the pores. [3]
Moisturize Your Skin
Apply moisturizer twice daily to help keep your skin supple, hydrated and to prevent premature fine lines and wrinkles.
Make sure to use lightweight, oil-free moisturizer if you have oily skin in order to prevent clogging. You can use gel-based moisturizers too if your skin is prone to acne.
You can also choose a moisturizer that includes a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help protect your skin from the sun’s rays. If you have sensitive skin, avoid moisturizers with added fragrance.
Exfoliate Once A Week
To avoid clogged pores that results from hormonal surges, keep your skin exfoliated. Look for products that contain clay as it has natural antiseptic and astringent properties.
Chemical exfoliators containing AHAs and salicylic acid are also a great way to clean deep into your pores.
Treat Acne
While acne can occur at any age, teens are more likely to get acne breakouts due to hormonal changes.
Use sulfur cleansers and masks to dry out your skin. They tend to be gentler on the skin than salicylic acid.
Benzoyl peroxide face washes, creams, foams and gels are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. They are very helpful in acne treatment.
Protection From Sun Damage
Use a broad spectrum moisturizing sunscreen with zinc oxide (at least 7%) and an SPF of 30 or higher (depending on your skin pigmentation or color) for UVA and UVB coverage year-round.
If you are going outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats to protect your skin from the harmful rays.