Skin care for teenagers and young people

“The best thing for your skin in your 50’s is sunscreen in your 20’s.  I’m sure we all know, prevention is far better than cure!  We look at skin care for teenagers and young people, and why it is so important! Establishing routines early on is by far the best way to keep skin looking younger and feeling healthier – I can always tell when a client has kept a good routine throughout their lives, even if they haven’t always used an active medical grade product.

What is good skin care for teenagers and young people?

If you are in your teens or early 20’s, the most valuable thing you can do is start a good skincare routine (this is for boys as well as girls!) which would consist of:

• Cleansing twice a day with a gentle cleanser, ensuring make-up is taken off EVERY night. Make up will clog pores, leading to breakouts and leaving the skin unable to breathe overnight – remember, the skin is 6 times more active at night than it is during the day, it needs clear skin to be able to function, and excrete toxins and waste products that have accumulated during the day.
• Exfoliate – this should be done at least 2-4 x a week, to encourage the removal of dead skin cells. If left, they can block hair follicles leading to breakouts. Dead skin also leads to a dull complexion that can look flaky. A physical exfoliant such as Lotus Scrub can be useful, however Bright & Clear would often be my product of choice.
• Hydrate – Keep skin hydrated with a moisturiser that is designed for your skin type – too heavy will leave you feeling greasy and clogged, too light and your skin will still be thirsty!
• SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN!! I cannot say this any louder or more clearly – a good quality physical sunscreen EVERY DAY regardless of weather or activity is the one thing that will be the most important thing to reduce ageing in young skins. UV damage will lead to lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and aged, damaged skin.

  One of the problems that I come across with younger clients is that they often buy a plethora of different things, in search of the ‘Holy Grail’ of skincare – often swayed by ‘influencers’ or advertising, without really knowing what it is they actually need. They end up with a cupboard full of half-used products, which is not good for the environment, or the pocket! By choosing a professional clinic, you are not just buying products, but the support that goes with them. If there are problems, you don’t get that support buying from a department store counter, and certainly not from an online retailer – at best you will just get your money back, but you will be no further forward with your skin concerns. Skin care for teenagers and young people is different to the types of products I tend to focus on in anti-ageing and older clients, so it is important to talk to someone about what you should use.

Skincare for acne in teenagers 

This can be so destructive for self-confidence, particularly in teenagers and young adults, and it can be very difficult to get on top of. Hormonal in nature, it can be reduced and controlled, even if it can’t be got rid of completely. The right combination of ingredients, the right habits and advice, and the stress can be taken away in a huge way. Alumier products are not just designed to treat the symptoms of acne, they also nurture the skin and help balance and protect the skins own functions, so it works better for you.

Retinol for acne and young skins

This essential ingredient usually comes into play later in life for ‘anti-ageing’, however as skin collagen levels start to reduce from the age of 21, starting a low-percentage retinol early a few times a week will really help slow that decline, leading to younger, better functioning skin for much longer. Retinol (derived from Vitamin A) was originally an ingredient used in Acne, so it is vital in young skins for control of spots and breakouts. This valuable ingredient can be used in varying doses, but it is very active (and, with improper use there is a risk of a retinol reaction), so should be used in conjunction with clinical support, which is exactly what you will get from Sally at Xodos.

Matticlear for oily skins

The ‘selfie serum’! This great little serum is designed to absorb oil to leave a matte finish (great for a make up base ‘primer’). It doesn’t ‘strip’ oil from your skin, so doesn’t encourage a rebound increase in oil production. It’s an essential for oily teenage skins.

Treatments for teenage and young skins

For the most part I wouldn’t be considering doing treatments on very young skins. The exceptions would be acne – it can be very debilitating, and can really damage someone’s self-confidence. Acne scarring would be another reason to treat – this can leave as much psychological damage as the acne itself, so I would consider treating for this. Generally speaking, most skin concerns (dryness, oiliness, occasional breakouts) can be quite easily managed with the right homecare products and support, but more severe ones can benefit from a course of treatment, or occasional treatments to maintain results. Chemical peels can be very beneficial to acne, hydrating treatments for dry and compromised skin, and microneedling for acne scarring.   Overwhelmingly, the priority is putting the foundations of a good routine in place, and a daily sunscreen. Just these actions will benefit the skin for the future. Contact us for more information on Zoom skin consultations!  To follow our page, come to Xodos Skin and Aesthetics and ask to join our group – Skin Deep West Mids & Staffs! Or contact us via our website to arrange your skin consultation.