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Simple Skin Care Steps for Tweens & Teens

Healthy skin promotes self-confidence, self-esteem

The transition from adolescence to young adulthood is frequently called the tween through teen years. It’s a time when adolescents learn how to become independent and struggle with peer pressure, body changes, relationships, and development of their self-identity.

A teen’s sense of identity often depends on how they see themselves in comparison to their peers. There are a fortunate few that transition flawlessly with the perfect skin, hair, and body, but the majority will struggle with problematic skin issues and physical body development.

Personal grooming and the need to look as attractive as possible becomes more important as it increases self-confidence and interaction with others. Skin breakouts are embarrassing and may affect self-confidence and self-esteem.

Keep it simple; avoid common chemical irritants

Developing skin care habits at an early age will help during these transition years when the skin frequently seems to be "unhappy".

A simple daily skin care routine is important. Problematic skin may become sensitive to products that contain common chemical irritants . Steer clear of skin and hair products that contain known allergens such as fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers to help reduce the chance for the skin to rebel.

Choose mild, gentle cleansers over harsh soaps

Cleansers help remove dirt, oil, and bacteria that you come in contact with during the day and while you sleep. Harsh soaps can strip necessary oils from your skin and lead to dry, cracked, and irritated skin. Products that do not contain harsh cleansing agents and are fragrance-free tend to be less irritating. Hands are exposed to more irritants than any other part of the body and while frequent hand washing is often necessary, it can also cause dry skin. Use cleansers that are mild and gentle .

Moisturize with fragrance-free moisturizers

It’s essential to keep the skin hydrated. Dry skin is sick skin. Apply a moisturizer immediately after cleansing the face and bathing to help keep skin from becoming dry and itchy. Choose a mild and gentle fragrance-free moisturizer. Avoid botanicals and extracts as they tend to be irritating to problematic skin. Remember that even oily skin needs moisturizing. There are many types of moisturizers, but the best moisturizer for sensitive skin is the one that fits your skin type.

Protect your skin daily with sunscreen

Using a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or more helps protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. It will help reduce the risk of skin cancer and help prevent early skin aging. A sunscreen that is "non-comedogenic" does not cause blackheads and can be worn on the face. Choose a sunscreen that is free of common chemical irritants and is fragrance-free to reduce the chance of irritation.

Consider underarm solutions, anti-dandruff shampoos, & fragrance-free shaving creams

Adolescence is also when an antiperspirant or deodorant should become part of the daily hygiene routine. Although both fight underarm odor, there is a difference between an antiperspirant and a deodorant.

Dandruff can promote white flakes on the shoulders, which can be embarrassing. Dandruff is common, and a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo may be all that is needed to control and reduce the symptoms of dandruff.

Shaving can easily irritate problematic skin. A good, sharp razor and a fragrance-free shave cream formulated for sensitive skin will help protect against razor burn, nicks, and cuts.

Find the skin care routine that’s right for your child

Skin can be sensitive to many different ingredients, so there’s no one skin-care routine that everyone should follow. Some products can cause more problems than others. If you make changes to your skin care routine, try one new product at a time. If a skin reaction occurs, it will be easier to identify the culprit.

If there are concerns about problematic skin issues, always consult with a pediatrician or dermatologist.



 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201804/the-science-body-esteem

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/glowing-skin-18/sensitive-skin

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