PRE TEEN & TEEN SKIN CARE
My eldest child is 10 years old and has recently noticed a change in her skin. She expressed interest in starting a skin care routine.
Friends and clients with children at pre-teen age (9+) have also noticed a change in their child’s skin and have asked my advice on starting their child on a skin care routine .
Parents key concern is - are their pre-teens too young to start taking care of their skin?
The answer is NO, so long as they follow a simple routine using gentle products that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and don't contain actives such as alcohols, artificial fragrances and colouring, retinol or vitamin C. Then, starting a skin care routine can help them achieve and maintain healthy skin and instil good habits for the future.
If your child is under 9 years old I wouldn't recommend it yet, there is just no need.
For pre-teens harsh ingredients used in adult skincare such as anti-aging products are unnecessary and usually quite pricey and they can also have the potential to damage their delicate skin barrier.
So be careful, keep things simple and use products designed for young skin.
(However, not all actives are an issue – for teenagers trying to combat hormonal skin flare-ups like blemishes, they may consider using products containing salicylic acid, for example. It’s advisable to do a patch test first and monitor your child’s skin in case they have a reaction).
From around the age of 10 and upwards, your child’s skin is transitioning from childhood to adolescence. Naturally, this causes a shift in hormones which can lead to changes in the skin – pre-teens may notice that their skin becomes a little oily and may experience the beginnings of comedones (black heads) and pimples. Some may start to experience signs of Acne,
Combination skin, Dryness, Sensitivity and Eczema.
Do seek advice from a healthcare professional.
If you’re concerned about your child’s skin at whatever age.
You can access one-to-one clinical advice from a pharmacist. They can provide support and advice on a variety of skin conditions.
Pre-teens (age 9+) can use a mild cleanser.
My Daughters favourite product is CLARIFYING CLEANSER foaming enzyme powder| 60g | Tropic Skincare
This step lifts away impurities, dirt and excess oil from the skin, prepping it for the rest of their skincare routine. I'd advise to only cleanse in the evening, to wash away the days dirt and pollutants .
In the morning there's no need to cleanse because you are washing away the skin's delicate natural protective barrier that builds over night while you sleep.
Simply add a little moisturiser if needed in the morning and prehaps an SPF for protection.
Only if you're pre teens skin becomes extremely problematic with excess oil and comedones would I advise cleanse in both morning and evening.
Once they reached puberty is when a larger surge of hormones could unbalance their skin . At this point they may find it beneficial to cleanse in the morning and evening.
Moisturise with a simple, light , non-comedogenic formula to help moisturise and protect the skin, while locking in hydration throughout the day.
Exfoliate with a gentle exfoliator 2-4 times a month if needed to help unblock pores and prevent blackheads and pustules. Do not exfoliate over sensitive or heavily pustule areas as this will irritate that area.
Introduce a sunscreen.
It’s never too early to start your child on a sunscreen which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. (Some moisturisers already contain an SPF, but I'd recommend applying a separate one as the final step of their skincare routine. Preferably try to find one that’s SPF30 + for the best sun protection.
Be consistent with a daily routine and remember everyone’s skin is different, so find a routine that’s actually tailored to their individual needs and not what their friend is using.
Focus on skin health, not perfection.
For many pre-teens, it can be a time of comparison. The goal should be to achieve and maintain skin health, not skin perfection.
It's important they know that uneven skin texture is natural and that the flawless, airbrushed skin they see on social media often isn’t real.
The foundation to healthy skin is good sleep & nutrition.
It’s not just what goes onto skin that helps, but actually how they look after themselves too. Making sure they get plenty of sleep (around eight to 10 hours per night), they’re eating a healthy balanced diet and drinking plenty of water which is a great additional way to get them to care for their skin.
Avoid following a complex, multi-step routine – less is more!
Don’t switch brands & include new products too often as this will over stimulate the skin and could cause irritation and sensitivity. Commit to products for around 12 weeks to give your skin the chance to see if it works . If there is a reaction, then stop straight away.
Skin can take time to adjust to certain ingredients and products. This means that it’s best to gradually introduce products into your child’s routine and try to settle on certain brands and products to avoid chopping and changing between them.
I find it’s important to thoroughly check the ingredients of the products your child wants to use and ensure that they don’t just want a product because of the pretty packaging.
Remember, a lot of simple and affordable products can actually be more suitable for younger skin.
There’s plenty of suitable products out there. I personally always follow the ethos of using as natural organic products that I can find as the molecular structure mimics our skins natural fluid which is usually kinder and more gentle to our skin.
I use TROPIC skincare for my treatments at RELAX and I have now got my 10 year old using a simple Tropic skin care routine too which she loves.
I did my research and found TROPIC skincare gave myself, my clients and my pre-teen everything we needed.
But there are other great products out there that I’d recommend such as Caudalie, Dr Hauschka, Essentially Yours and REN .
Do your research as there are many more great product ranges out there to suit your child's individual needs and always keep it simple and the fewer ingredients the better.
Remember "Looking after your skin is a long term investment, your future self will thank you".