Skin Care for Teens: What Products to Use and the Best Tips To Start

Find out some of the best products and tips to treat the most common teen skin woes aka acne, blackheads, and oily skin!

When it comes to a teen’s skin care routine, the best tip I can give is to keep it as mild and simple as possible. The Korean beauty philosophy is centered around building and maintaining healthy skin, and the best way to achieve that is through coming up with a suitable skin care routine.

For teenagers, especially those prone to oiliness, acne and blackheads, here is a very general and basic skin care routine you can follow:

Breakouts is one of the most common concern with teenage skin, so the proper removal of sunscreen, makeup and any other impurities will go a long way when it comes to preventing acne. Double cleansing is the only thing that can properly remove impurities, and it consists of first using an oil-based cleanser, then following up with a regular water-based cleanser. For the mornings, you can get away by simply washing your face with a regular water-based cleanser like the COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.

Exfoliation will not only remove dead skin cells but also help fade away skin troubles and acne marks. However, you also don’t want to overdo it, and irritate or damage your skin’s protective layer. If you want to incorporate acids to your routine to fight blackheads, mild acne or any textural issues, you want to start out as mild as possible and work your way up to stronger.

BHAs and AHAs are the best topical treatments, and the ones from COSRX like the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid are milder than most over-the-counter acne products. However, remember to always gradually introduce new products to your skin to avoid irritation, and it’s also not a bad idea to talk to a doctor when incorporating new products to your skin.

Other than exfoliating acids, you can also consider incorporating clay masks in your weekly routine to detoxify and help get rid of built-up dead skin cells and excess sebum. The Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask is an affordable and fun mask you can try on your next sleepover!

I know it’s tempting to reach out for a bottle of apple cider vinegar, or a toner with high alcohol content in the hopes of getting rid of excess oil or acne. However, these methods can actually be very irritating to your skin! Minimising irritation is a must, as irritation can lead to further acne, and completely throw your skin’s health out of whack. Instead, I would recommend a gentle hydrating toner like the Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner to balance your skin’s pH level, soften and prepare the skin for the next steps of your skin care.

Choose a lightweight moisturiser that hydrates and protects your skin to avoid dehydration, which can eventually lead to even more skin problems. Korean beauty has some really awesome moisturisers that offer light hydration like the Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel. During colder seasons, you can also layer it up with a richer moisturiser like the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream.

If your skin is easily sensitised or irritated due to sun rays, heat or makeup products, it’s also recommended to give the proper calming and soothing care. Use a cream that will not only relieve irritation but also strengthen the skin’s barrier, like the Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream.

You want your skin to look healthy now and for decades to come, so remember to use sunscreens to avoid any dark spots or further skin problems. Korean sunscreens are awesome, because their formulas are not heavy or sticky, and will make you feel like you’re wearing any sunscreen at all!

What about Makeup?
When you suffer from pimples and breakouts, finding the right foundation can be tough. You want a foundation that will give you the right amount of coverage without clogging your skin or breaking you out. This is why I recommend the COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion, a cushion foundation that treats acne while providing excellent coverage.

Another tip I learned when I was a teen was also the importance of a good primer to help prevent acne. Primers like the J.One Jelly Pack not only makes makeup last longer, but also forms a protective layer to avoid makeup from clogging your pores or settling in on dry patches.

Do you have any other skin care tips or recommendations for teenage skin? Let us know below!