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We’re here to walk you through how your morning and evening anti-breakout skincare routines should look. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be surprised at how fast you can get rid of teenage spots – and finally see clear skin.
What you can expect: How to get rid of teenage spots What is the best teenage skincare routine? What are the best products for teenage skin? Why do teenagers get spots?
It’s all about an effective teenage skincare routine which does not have to be complicated! We know having acne can be tough, but experiencing breakouts and blemishes is a very common experience: in fact, about 85% of young adults aged 12-25 experience acne.
Cleanse with a face wash suitable for acne-prone skin. For teenage skincare, choose a soap-free, water-soluble formula designed to be gentle (being harsh on your skin can increase acne breakouts), but cleanse thoroughly. Use a soft washcloth or soft-bristle cleansing brush to make sure you remove excess oil.
Exfoliate to help unclog pores with a gentle, leave-on exfoliating toner for acne. You’ll be amazed at the difference salicylic acid for teenage skin can make – much better for acne than a harsh face scrub! Salicylic acid (also called BHA) is oil soluble, meaning it can get into pores and help remove clogs.
Apply a benzoyl peroxide treatment to all breakout-prone areas. Benzoyl peroxide is the best teenage pimples treatment because it immediately targets the source of acne breakouts. Begin with a lower strength like 2.5% and see how your skin responds before moving to 5%, the higher strength 5% option.
Note: “A small subset of patients, particularly those with darker skin tones, can be intolerant to benzoyl peroxide,” says dermatologist Dr Hartman, “If the skin burns immediately after application and redness develops, perhaps benzoyl peroxide is not for you.”
Sun damage can make post-acne marks worse, so daily sun protection is the “secret weapon” in caring for teenage acne. Skipping this step can cause the redness or dark spot left behind from a breakout to linger. If you’ve tried sun cream but found it too heavy or thick on your skin, a featherlight, oil-free SPF moisturiser is likely to change your mind.
It's generally the same as your morning routine, minus the SPF. If your skin is dry or if you notice some flaking, apply a thin layer of a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser over those areas. You can dab it around the eyes, too.
For most, treating teenage spots only takes four products:
1. Cleanser
2. Leave-on exfoliation containing salicylic acid (BHA)
3. Benzoyl peroxide product
4. Super-lightweight broad-spectrum SPF
Dr Hartman adds, “In resistant cases, a topical retinoid may also be necessary.” So if you’re struggling with post-breakout marks, you can apply a dual-retinoid product that helps minimise the look of dark spots and tackles clogs before applying your nighttime moisturiser.
Puberty isn’t the only reason – here are some other factors that can trigger breakouts or make them worse:
Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, January 2016, pages 13-25 Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, July 2015, pages 2,512-2,522 Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, June 2013, pages s73-s76
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