Unlike when I was a teenager in the 2000s stripping my face with medicated pads (which felt like I was basically burning my acne away with rubbing alcohol) and abrasive apricot scrubs, using a high end, full skincare routine is all the rage with teens these days.
If you’ve been on TikTok or stepped foot in beauty supply stores, you’ve probably noticed the trend. Teenagers are stocking up with very expensive anti-aging skincare – which can actually be causing the opposite from the desired effect. Using anti-aging products too young can cause skin to start aging TOO quickly. Some of these kids on TikTok look YEARS older than what they are. Because teenage skin is so sensitive, using anti-aging products meant for women much older can damage the skin barrier and cause permanent scarring.
While I applaud the early interest in taking care of your skin (it is the only set you’ll get, after all), young teenage skin is too sensitive to need powerful anti-aging ingredients like retinol or hyalauronic acid. When you’re under 20 years old, there isn’t a need to try to reverse wrinkles or age spots – because they aren’t any wrinkles to reverse. Trying to do so can cause redness, peeling, itching, burning, or general irritation.
Instead of using a regimen designed for adults, a good compromise is getting your teen onto a quality regimen that is designed specifically for their skin. A gentle regimen in either a hydrating or mattifying formula that focuses on cleansing and moisturizing is exactly what their young skin needs. Teach your teen the importance of a good routine and getting into the habit of taking care of their skin at a young age is the best thing you can do for their skin and complexion health. I talk to so many women in their 30s-50s who don’t use anything on their skin other than soap and water, and they all express the same sentiment: they wish they started a skincare regimen earlier.
The Mary Kay mattifying and hydrating regimens are the perfect fit for someone who is not yet looking to begin an anti-aging routine. Its gentle formula won’t be too harsh on young skin, but will still leave them feeling clean and refreshed. Bonus: it’s also reasonably priced, especially compared to the brands being touted on TikTok.
Start with at least the cleanser and moisturizer every day (even if your teen is oily, they still need a moisturizer) morning and night as a basic skincare routine. If they are looking for more, the Mary Kay regimen also has a toner for an extra layer of cleansing and a gentle exfoliating scrub. And it never hurts to start using a facial sunscreen at a young age, either. I definitely wish I understood the importance of daily protection against the sun at a much younger age. As someone with a high risk of skin cancer, I will always emphasize the importance of sunscreen at any age, but that’s for another post.
Have a teenager you’d like to start on their own skincare routine? Contact me today and I will help you create a custom regimen designed just for their skin type and concerns.
Moisturized Musings 
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