How to Care for Teenage Skin

Caring for your skin as a teenager sets a solid foundation for later years. Oily skin, blackheads and acne are more common among teenagers during puberty when hormones flare and cause skin to overproduce sebum, oil that lubricates the skin and hair. A pimple starts when the skin's pores become clogged with sebum. Follow the steps to reduce acne and learn to properly care for your skin.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Cleanse your face twice a day—no more—with warm water and mild soap made specifically for acne prevention and treatment. Remove all makeup before sleeping.
2. Moisturize, even with pimples, using an oil-free lotion. The key is keeping your skin balanced, not too dry and not too oily.
3. Use over-the-counter treatment lotion containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to decrease oil and bacteria in your skin.
4. Wear sunscreen with at least 15 SPF. Many oil-free moisturizers have built-in sunscreen making application easy.
5. Wash your hands before applying creams or makeup. Replace makeup sponges and brushes often.
6. Reduce stress with exercise, yoga or meditation. Shower after exercising and sweating and wear natural fabrics that allow your skin to breathe.
7. Talk to a dermatologist for help with acne problems that cannot be treated with over-the-counter products alone, or for more information on skincare.

Tips & Warnings

• Use cleansers made for sensitive skin or dry skin if necessary. Many teenagers have multiple skin conditions, and certain products are made with that in mind.
• Clean glasses or sunglasses frequently to keep from getting oil buildup clogging pores.
• Wipe off telephones and keyboards. Teens spend a lot of time talking to friends and oil builds up on a phone, causing breakouts on the side of the face and chin.
• Look for makeup that reads "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic" on the label as these are shown to not clog pores.
• Avoid popping or squeezing pimples as this can cause infection and scarring.