Interest in skincare routines and products among young consumers has skyrocketed recently. Around the world, we’re seeing tweens and teens flocking to their nearest skincare aisles as a result of a viral conversation on social media — but should younger consumers be using skincare?
While dermatologists typically applaud developing skincare rituals, especially those involving SPF, many young consumers (and their parents!) may not be fully informed about which product ingredients are best used on young skin. So, what should tweens and teens be using in their skincare routine? Kenvue has responded to some of TikTok’s top-searched questions with answers backed by science.
How do I know where to start in selecting which products are best for my child?
First things first, we need to determine your child’s skin type! That’s because everything from cleansers and serums to moisturizers and sunscreens have different formulations and ingredients for varying skin types. Ask your child these few questions: Does their skin break out? Does their skin feel tight or tend to flake? Does their skin look shiny?
Based on the answers, you can determine whether they have dry, oily or combination skin, taking them one step closer to finding the right products.
What should — and shouldn’t — my tween/teen be looking for in a skincare routine?
According to Dr. Asha Shah, director of skin health medical sciences at Kenvue, “A simple ‘less is more’ approach for skincare is what is essential and builds a healthy routine for life.”
“The tween and teen population’s skin structure and function is still undergoing development, driven by things like the environment and hormones,” she said. “Thus, gentle cleansers, non-comedogenic gentle moisturizers, and non-comedogenic broad-spectrum sunscreens should be the cornerstones of their regimen. If skin regimens geared towards adult anti-aging are used – the skin barrier may be compromised, which may lead to things like irritation, infection and further vulnerability from environmental aggressors, like UV radiation and pollution.”
What happens if my teen uses anti-aging products?
Kenvue Manager of Facial Moisture & SkinTech Innovation Julie Bianchini shared, “While certain products may be advertised to promote youthful-looking skin, using benefit ingredients like retinol, peels, salicylic and glycolic acids, peptides or other single-ingredient products will not only not provide the desired effect on young skin, but can also lead to a host of irritant-driven issues, like visible redness and acne.”
What if my teen has acne-prone skin?
As kids enter their teen years, changes in hormones, called androgens, can lead to an increase in oil production, which in turn can cause clogged pores and the onset of acne. Acne-prone skin at this age may benefit from over-the-counter ingredients like salicylic acid if used as directed.
“The Clean & Clear® Deep Action Cream Cleanser is one of many [Kenvue] products that’s right for acne-prone skin,” said Kenvue scientist Hams Elshaikh. “It has a unique cleansing form that delivers gentle cleansing while removing oil and pore-clogging impurities with a cool and refreshing tingle that doesn’t dry or disrupt the skin’s moisture barrier.”
Consult a dermatologist if a tween or teen is dealing with acne; a doctor can recommend products that will work best for their skin.
Does the right skin care routine as a teen prevent or protect skin from signs of aging?
While all skin will mature, there’s one important product that can prevent signs of aging, even when used on young skin.
“Regardless of skin tone, a sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, coupled with practicing safe sun exposure habits like reapplying sunscreen often and wearing a hat or protective clothing, can and will protect your child’s skin,” Bianchini said.
Should teens be “double cleansing” in their routines?
The easy answer: It’s a personal preference!
“Where double cleansing can be useful is when the first cleanse is geared toward makeup removal,” Bianchini said.
This would mean you’re first “cleansing” with a makeup-removing balm, eye makeup-removing product or micellar water. These products are rich in emollients and surfactants that help dissolve and wash away dirt, oil and makeup. The second cleanse will be the more typical face cleanser that respects the delicate skin barrier of younger consumers, like Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser Fragrance Free.
How many steps should the ideal teen skin care routine be?
A simple 2-3 step routine is all that’s needed! First, cleanse day and night with a gentle cleanser, then in the morning, follow with a daily moisturizer and SPF. In the evening, follow cleansing with a moisturizer or cream.
While it may be tempting for your tween or teen to use additional, add-on products, we only recommend doing so if they struggle with acne. For acne-prone skin, try an occasional spot treatment like the Clean & Clear® Acne Spot Treatment or an overnight patch, like the Neutrogena® Stubborn Acne Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches.
Okay, so now I know what my teen needs. Which products should they use?
If they’re beginning their skincare journey, start with a very simple routine using safe and effective products.
For gentle cleansing:
Neutrogena® Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser is a great option for starting skincare cleansing. This gentle, non-stripping cleanser rinses clean and leaves skin feeling refreshed.
Another option is Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid, which transforms into a silky lather that effectively washes away dirt, oil and bacteria and lifts away make-up without stripping skin.
For daily broad-spectrum SPF:
Neutrogena® Ultra Gentle Daily Face Moisturizer with SPF 30 is lightweight, formulated with CICA and won’t clog pores. The ultra-gentle, fragrance-free formula can be used on skin that can appear visibly red, tight, dry or uncomfortable.
Or try the Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50 — a gel moisturizer that provides all day quenching hydration for soft, supple skin. The hyaluronic acid moisturizer instantly hydrates for smoother skin and delivers radiant, healthy-looking skin in one week.
For non-comedogenic moisturizers:
Neutrogena® Daily Facial Moisturizer is ideal for sensitive and reactive skin, featuring a multivitamin complex containing vitamin B3 and pro-vitamin B5 to condition skin, plus vitamin E, which is known to fight daily environmental aggressors.
Or try a fan-favorite: Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Water Cream gives skin a refreshing burst of hydration. This face cream with hyaluronic acid replenishes vital water content within skin’s surface for more resilient, glowing skin and is ideal for dry, sensitive and acne-prone skin.
When is it okay to start using anti-aging ingredients like retinol and vitamin C?
When used appropriately, skincare ingredients like retinol and vitamin C can provide many benefits for overall skin health. These ingredients work to fight everything from signs of aging to environmental aggressors and can enhance skin’s radiance and glow. But products of this nature should only be used starting as a young adult, rather than in those in their tween or teen years.
“Through our research, Neutrogena® learned that 58% of Gen Z started having aging concerns at 23 years old, and skin starts to lose collagen at a rate of 1% each year starting in your early 20s,” Bianchini said.
Appealing to those in their early twenties, these insights led Neutrogena to launch a new line of collagen and peptide-containing products, Neutrogena Collagen Bank™, that helps to defend and support skin’s natural collagen for plump, glowing skin.