This is one part of my role as a Holistic Massage Therapist, taking the whole body into account – it’s all explained if you click on the link – it’s nothing mysterious it’s a wonderful way of looking after ourselves!
As you know I have written other articles for The Skin We are In series – and this was going to be an introduction to my Holistic & Wellbeing facial for the younger teen skin, it will still happen I am sure but in the meantime – I will share this instead.
The Skin We are In ~ Pt 3 ~ The Teenage Years
Really the first question that applies here and I probably asked myself the same thing at one time, do teenagers need skin care, can they have a Holistic & Wellbeing “spa” facial, is it good for their skin even?
And the answer would be a yes – starting a simple, age appropriate skincare routine at 14/15 is useful. Skin in adolescence is actively changing (hormones, oil production, occasional acne), so gentle habits now prevent problems, build good routines, and protect long-term skin health.
As we all know our skin is an organ, our faces spend more time being in the open elements that probably the rest of our body does. However the fact remain that our body and skin needs TWO vital things – Water in and Water on – the skin needs water to live, our bodies need water to live so applying water generously to our skin will help from the outside in.
Admittedly I went through the Teen skin scene pretty luckily – but I only ever used water on my face to wash, never soap and to be honest I would sometime pinch some of Muma’s Oil of Ulay (or is it just Olay now?) which is a lanolin based product! But I digress! Spots were not something I worried about suffice to say the one pimple that would appear on the chin once a month – I was lucky, but many of my friends did have issues and this we was in a time that acne had many products to combat it, but they never seemed to work? Because when you think about it – it was just putting the product on and hoping it would work – no cleanser, no real routine as such just add that product and hope for an overnight miracle.
Now these days the youngsters have TikTok to advise them, and sadly it’s not all good and helpful, it’s really the polar opposite and added pressure, how to get ‘perfect skin’ and why does it need to be perfect? Being a Teen is hard enough without having to worry about the latest fads that influencers have been sharing such as having “glass skin” or “butter skin.” These are among terms influencers use to showcase long, expensive skin care routines. Some regimens include 10 or more products and can cost ridiculous amounts of money.
The products may seem fun to try or share in trendy get-ready-with-me posts. But potential risks for younger users are real and often misunderstood.
So do Teens need these Routines that seem to help?
The answer, no, they really do not!
The skin of tweens and teens is biologically different from adult skin. It’s thinner, more sensitive and easily irritated.
Anti-aging ingredients like retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) and vitamin C—often promoted in viral skin care routines—are designed to target issues like wrinkles, dark spots and collagen loss. These aren’t concerns for youngsters. And on top of that, using such products too early can cause:
Long-term sensitization or allergies
Redness and irritation, as well as skin peeling or rashes
Compromised skin barrier function
There are so many products on the market and it’s hard to choose because most of them have ingredients that we cannot pronounce.
It’s so important to look on the back of the product to see what is in it – alternatively download the Yuka
app – it’s got so many products listed and gives you the active ingredients and if they are detrimental to our health and skin.
A good skincare for teenagers includes a few essential steps that keep your skin clean, fresh, and healthy.
This is a basic routine that we all probably do (should do) but personally I would encourage the full routine once / twice a week – say a Friday and Sunday evening and as they get older they can incorporate it more often – especially once the make up starts being applied. For the rest of the week – water and a gentle pat dry with a cotton towel and maybe a little moisturiser in the summer months to help the skin repair.
- Cleansing
- Toning
- Moisturising
- Sun Protection
- Night time is when your skin repairs itself, so a good night skincare routine is essential.
- Remove Makeup – THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO AT NIGHT and Cleanse with a gentle cleanser
- Apply a Serum
There are so many products on the market and it’s hard to choose because most of them have ingredients that we cannon pronounce and are all water based.
It’s so important to look on the back of the product to see what is in it – alternatively download the Yuka
app – it’s got so many products listed and gives you the active ingredients and if they are detrimental to our health and skin.
Other important factors to be aware of:
Be sun smart – factor 30 should be applied daily – all year round but as the summer comes up the factor number and even wear a hat if you are off to hotter climes for those holidays.
Leave pimples alone – it’s not worth the satisfying “pop” AND please never pop somebody else’s spots it sooo unhygienic!
Avoid makeup germs – regularly sort out the make up bag, I was told that mascara’s should be thrown out once opened after just 3 weeks – must admit I was quite shocked about that – I tend to use mine for months – not weeks.
Make up brushes should be renewed regularly or washed in warm soapy water and left to dry.
Get enough sleep oh my word – this is so important (to all ages) but Teens need more sleep – whatever they say or think! Essentially, because they are in a time of very fast physical, intellectual and emotional growth. Teens need 9 to 9½ hours of sleep per night—that’s an hour or so more than they needed at age 10.
What are common teen skincare mistakes?
What is bad for teenage skin?
Don’t use actives such as retinol, vitamin C, acids & peels
For tweens and teens, these ingredients are pretty unnecessary. Not only this, but these ingredients are usually quite pricey and can also have the potential to damage their delicate skin barrier – gentle skincare for tweens and teens is best
Taking care of your skin as a teenager sets the foundation for lifelong healthy and radiant skin. Avoiding common skincare mistakes such as skipping sunscreen, over washing the face, picking at pimples, ignoring moisturizers, inconsistency, using harsh products, and not drinking enough water is essential.
It’s not just about products and water – there is of course another major factor – diet – the food that can help nourish and aid a healthy skin.
Get the Glow – but not through expensive products…..
Glow foods include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables—think green leafy veggies, carrots, oranges, papayas, and berries. For a truly balanced diet, all three food groups should be present in daily meals
Other foods for healthy skin are:
- Berries. Full of fibre, nutrients and antioxidants called polyphenols and anthocyanins that can neutralize and reduce damage to cells, berries are all are great options.
- Watermelon
- Cherries
- Avocado
- Green tea
- Bell peppers
If your Tween/ Teen is really wanting to start thinking about using products – then why not go simple, think about introducing them to diy products – it’s easy enough and they can see exactly what is going in and what the benefits are from starting at a younger age with natural and inexpensive ingredients.
Alternatively look for someone that makes products using natural ingredients such as NaturaEmporiumFR many of my clients know that I use Dr Nichola’s products personally and in The TR. It is a minefield out there with skin products and she really knows her stuff and is happy to advise.
As always, when I research these articles I come across ideas that seem very worthwhile, so if your Tween/Teen is insistent about watching and learning from TikTok for their skin care routine, maybe introduce them to the Japanese Cleansing Method – the 4-2-4 this is so easy and very doable at least once to twice a week and will probably benefit them, far more than lathering on expensive products full of nasty ingredients.
This Japanese-inspired skincare technique, which involves a 4-minute oil cleanse, a 2-minute water-based cleanse, and a 4-minute rinse, is designed to thoroughly cleanse the skin while improving hydration and circulation.
The 4 2 4 rule in skincare is a structured double-cleansing method that takes exactly 10 minutes: 4 minutes of oil cleansing, 2 minutes of foam cleansing, and 4 minutes of rinsing.
Each step is carefully timed to ensure a thorough yet gentle cleanse, leaving your skin refreshed and perfectly prepped for subsequent products. Here’s how it works:
The First 4 minutes: Oil Cleansing
Begin by massaging an oil-based cleanser onto dry skin for 4 minutes. This step is essential for dissolving oil-based impurities like makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum.
Unlike traditional cleansers, oil cleansers work by attracting and breaking down these substances without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Think of it like using oil to clean a greasy pan—it effortlessly lifts away residue while keeping the skin soft and hydrated.
The 2 minutes: Foam Cleansing
Next, apply a foam or water-based cleanser for 2 minutes. This step targets water-soluble impurities such as sweat, dirt, and any remaining traces of makeup.
The foam cleanser completes the double-cleansing process, ensuring every layer of debris is removed. It’s like giving your skin a second pass to guarantee a spotless finish, leaving it feeling fresh and balanced.
The Final 4 minutes: Rinsing
The final 4 minutes involve rinsing with lukewarm water to remove all cleanser residue. This step is critical to prevent clogged pores or irritation from leftover product. Thorough rinsing also helps restore the skin’s natural pH balance, creating an ideal foundation for serums and moisturizers. Imagine it as the final polish that leaves your skin glowing and ready to absorb the benefits of your skincare routine.
The 4 2 4 rule offers a scientifically sound solution that caters to all skin stages.
Mindful Application: Beyond physical benefits, the 4 2 4 rule encourages a mindful approach to skincare. The deliberate timing fosters a moment of calm, turning a daily task into a nurturing ritual. This intentionality elevates the experience, offering both skin health and a sense of indulgence.
Let’s also remember that the Japanese diet has a reputation for being one of the healthiest in the world. It’s based on fish, vegetables, and generally a lot more whole foods, and not to mention the consumption of tea and green tea which already has links to healthier skin.
The takeaway here is – clean skin is important and although the youngsters probably don’t realise just yet, what they do now will serve them into adulthood. It’s important to also note that this doesn’t have to be a vigorous routine, it can be quite adhoc to start really. It’s the getting started that is important.
More importantly, finding gentle, natural ingredients is going to outweigh a cheap chemical laden product. Teach them about the bad ingredients too – because everything we put on our skin is absorbed into our system, which in the long term can be quite harmful.
And lastly let your teen enjoy the skin they are in – there should be no pressure to have a strict routine but advising them on their skin care is a good idea for the long term! It will guide them to their next decades with knowledge and routine and that’s for life.
As you can probably imagine, writing these articles does take time, however I love doing the research, always have! So if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me!
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Holistically Yours disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Never use essential oils directly on skin, always use a base oil to blend, I’m happy to help, I have a plethora of information at hand but also google is your friend.
If you have never used an essential oil on your body before please take a patch test 24 hours prior to using, especially if you have plant or nut based allergies! Dilute the essential oil in a base oil before using on any part of your skin, there are very few EO’s that can be applied directly to skin.
