Best teen skin care routine, according to dermatologists

While some adults are still trying to wrap their heads around a multi-step skin care routine, young teens and tweens are now pillaging the beauty aisles and layering on the products. Social media has called out these beauty-crazed pre-adolescents, dubbing them “Sephora tweens” or “Sephora kids”. As young as nine years old, these kids covet skin care and cosmetics they’ve seen on social media from buzzy brands like Drunk Elephant, Glow Recipe and more viral favorites. However, experts are warning that these skin care routines can have negative effects — on young skin and minds — in the long run. Ahead, three board-certified dermatologists (who also happen to be parents of tween children) share their advice for building a safe and healthy skin care routine for young teens and tweens.

A main component of the “Sephora tween” trend is that these kids aren’t just interested in skin care products — they are tapped into viral trends and are getting enticed by products being promoted by content creators who are speaking to an older audience. This is dangerous because the kids are being exposed to corrective treatments and that the idea that skin care is a solution to “problems” (oftentimes, natural signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles) that they are decades away from experiencing. “Children and tweens are sometimes lead to believe there is a problem in their skin that needs to be fixed when really marketing strategies are targeting younger people as an untapped market, and there are no real concerns in the skin at all,” says Dr. Nava Greenfield, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City and parent to boys ages 12, nine, seven and four.

Furthermore, the products that are made for maturing skin are loaded with active ingredients that are generally too harsh for young people. “In general ingredients and products that are designed for skin aging, such as retinol, antioxidants and exfoliating acids should be avoided by teens,” advises board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick.

“There’s a lot of room for education in terms of which types of products are best suited for younger skin in order to start building a healthy skin care routine and which products are superfluous, and potentially even harming the skin barrier,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe.

Garshick also notes that just because a product is going viral, doesn’t mean it will be the right fit for everyone’s skin.

“As a result of hormonal changes, teens and tweens may also experience changes in their skin type and skin needs which may require a change in their skin care routine,” Garshick says. “For this reason, it is important to find a routine that is best for your individual needs and concerns and not just use the product that is trending on social media.” She reminds her own nine-year-old daughter that “just because a product looks pretty and is packaged nicely, doesn’t always mean it is safe for her skin. It is important to remember to focus on the ingredients and remember that less is more.”

Cost is another factor when building a skin care routine for teens and tweens. Each of the derms we spoke to highlighted that while the quality of products is important when treating young skin, that doesn’t mean they need a 10-step routine loaded with luxury products. “Just as I tell my patients that skin care does not need to be expensive to effective and there are many great affordable options available at the drugstore, this applies to teens and tweens too,” says Garshick.

Bowe adds, “Rather than reaching for expensive, complex routines geared towards mature skin, there are some very price friendly teen brands on the market today that also have cute, appealing packaging which could make a beginner skin care routine a lot of fun for our skin care curious kids.”

And with that, let’s get into what a teen and tween skin care routine should look like.

All the dermatologists we consulted confirmed that there are just three steps to an effective teen skin care routine: cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Within these categories, teens and tweens can tailor the products to their specific skin type. For example, “tweens with dry, sensitive skin can benefit from a gentle, creamy cleanser, a fragrance free moisturizer and a hydrating sunscreen,” shares Bowe. On the other hand, the dermatologist says tweens with oily, acne-prone skin may want to try a gel cleanser, lightweight gel-cream moisturizer and oil-free, mattifying sunscreen.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule — teens dealing with acne or other skin conditions may need targeted treatments. In that case, “retinoids and exfoliating acids may be considered in teenagers experiencing oily skin or acne,” says Garshick, “but it is always best to first speak with a board-certified dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan.”

Garshick also advises only incorporating one new product into a skin care routine at a time “to minimize any potential reactions that can occur when starting a new product.” This way, you can monitor the skin’s tolerance of new products and catch when mixing ingredients causes sensitivity or irritation.

Ahead, the dermatologists walk us through each step of a basic skin care routine for teens and tweens, and share what’s safe for young skin.

“Gentle” was the main word the dermatologists used when describing what formulas are safe for young skin, and this starts with their cleanser. For dry to normal skin, a basic cleanser that has hydrating ingredients should do the trick.

“For teens who are dealing with oily skin or breakouts, it may be recommended to use a medicated wash, such as one containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid,” says Garshick.

According to Garshick, ingredients that moisturize the skin, such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides, are generally safe for teens and tweens. While a simple moisturizer can support healthy skin, be wary of creams and lotions that make anti-aging claims and contain ingredients like retinol, vitamin C or other elements that target mature skin concerns.

“Be gentle with your skin and the most important part is prevention — sunscreen and sun protection!” reminds Greenfield. “Protecting the skin from UV exposure in childhood can help to reduce the [chance of] skin cancer later in life,” adds Garshick.

Choosing an SPF that teens will want to wear everyday is the important part here. Thankfully, there are plenty of face sunscreens that feel nice to apply and blend in invisibly.