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Top Teen Skin Products from Head to Toe
What you want is pretty simple: glowing, clear skin. Turns out you're most likely to get that if you can keep your skin care routine simple, too. "You have to minimize the number of steps to improve the outcome — face wash twice a day and one topical cream," explains skin care expert Amy Derick, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Barrington, Ill. Make sure you're using the right teen skin products for you. For many teens this means controlling oiliness and treating acne breakouts to create clear skin without over-drying the surface.
The Right Face Wash
The most important teen skin product is your cleanser. Dr. Derick recommends Neutrogena Oil- Free Acne Wash for reducing oil. For girls who have dry skin, one option is CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser. For healthy skin, wash when you get up in the morning and again before bed. If you work out during the day, rinse off afterward. You can also try cleansers containing ingredients like salicylic acid to help unclog pores and clear skin, but start with a lower strength, such as 0.5 percent, to avoid irritation, advises Jessica Wu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. Above all, avoid irritating bar soaps, which could make acne worse.
Acne Control
If you're buying teen skin products for acne over the counter, be sure to read labels. Derick likes skin products that contain salicylic acid, which can help reduce oil. Benzoyl peroxide is another acne-fighting ingredient you might see on labels; it works effectively, but can be irritating to sensitive skin. If a regular routine of washing and using acne control products isn't moving you closer to clear skin, talk to a dermatologist about prescription-strength products.
Lip Gloss
When you think of teen skin products for healthy skin, you probably aren't thinking about your lips. But this delicate skin needs just as much attention as the rest of you — and possibly more because lips can dry out quickly with sun, wind, and water exposure. Derick suggests choosing a lip gloss that offers sun protection. "Using plain lip gloss can make sun damage worse," she explains. Try Banana Boat lip sunscreen or Colorscience colored lip gloss. Aim for SPF 30.
Exfoliator
Removing dead skin is promoted as a key step to clear skin, but be careful about the teen skin product you choose. "I like the Clarisonic brush from Mia," says Derick, who adds that a salicylic acid acne wash is another skin product that can also help with exfoliating. Only do this about three times a week and be gentle — skip harsh scrubs made with beads, fruit pulp, or nut shells. As Dr. Wu says: "You can't scrub away pimples, so scrubbing harder won't necessarily make your skin smoother."
Hair Remover
For many teen girls, removing unsightly hairs is a top beauty concern. Shaving and tweezing are your most affordable options. If you want shaving to last longer, exfoliate skin gently a couple of times a week with a gentle skin product and use a moisturizer for healthy skin. For particularly difficult patches, Derick suggests professional hair removal techniques like threading or laser hair removal. "Waxes and chemical depilatories can be irritating to teen skin, especially if you're using acne medication," she adds.
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