A Skin Care Routine for Teens

From: L'Oréal Paris

Let’s face it: As a teen, you have enough to deal with without having to add taking care of skin care concerns to your to-do list. Studying for tests and planning for social events like prom is enough to fill up your schedule, right? Curating the perfect skin care routine for teens may sound like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. The best way to manage your skin as a teen is actually to find a skin care routine that includes a few basics, like facial cleanser, moisturizer, and face masks, then be consistent with it. Remember: How you treat your skin now will likely play a role in how your skin looks and feels in the future, even many years down the line. We’re sharing our six best teenage skin care tips along with skin care product recommendations, below. Keep reading to learn how to build the best skin care routine for teens.

6 TIPS FOR CREATING A SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR TEENS

Your teenage years are already full of lots of trial and error, skip that with your skin care routine by adhering to these easy tips.



#1

USE A FACIAL CLEANSER MORNING AND NIGHT

We won’t judge you if you haven’t been cleansing your skin every morning and night thus far. But, from now on, no excuses. Washing your face is an absolute must for everyone, every single morning and evening, and that includes teens. Choose a facial cleanser formulated for your skin type, concerns, and needs. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay line, which contains three clay-to-mousse facial cleansers, has options for all different skin types.



#2

KEEP WHAT YOUR SKIN TOUCHES CLEAN

It would be nice if cleansing just your face was enough to take care of your skin in totality, but that isn’t quite the case. Besides your face, everything that your skin touches should be clean, otherwise, bacteria, dirt, and oils can be transferred to your skin. No good. Pay attention to what your skin comes into contact with and keep it clean. That means wiping off your cell phone after phone calls and being sure to regularly wash your makeup blenders and brushes. (Here’s How to Clean Your Makeup Blenders and Brushes.)



#3

ALWAYS APPLY MOISTURIZER APRÉS-CLEANSING

Sometimes two things just go together so well, you wouldn’t want one without the other. Peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, and of course, facial cleanser and moisturizer. Every time you break out your facial cleanser, you’ll want to follow up shortly afterward with moisturizer. While your skin is still damp, smooth on a hydrating cream or lotion that suits your skin type. Have your pick from the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius line.



#4

DON’T FORGET ABOUT SUN PROTECTION

You’re not too young to start a daily sun protection routine. After moisturizing, reach for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and apply as directed. Toss the bottle in your backpack so that you can reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating (which we bet you do in gym class!). In addition to applying and reapplying sunscreen, you should also limit your amount of time in the sun (especially during peak hours between 10 AM and 2 PM), seek shade, and cover up exposed areas.

Editor’s note: Not sure how to reapply sunscreen—especially without ruining your amazing makeup look? Here, learn How to Reapply Sunscreen the right way.



#5

MAKE EXFOLIATION A WEEKLY HABIT

You may be a teenager, but that doesn’t mean your skin doesn’t need regular exfoliation. Sloughing off dead skin cell buildup, oil, dirt, and debris, is a must if you want to keep your skin breakout-free. There’s no need to go overboard here—use a gentle face scrub once or twice a week to get started, and if your skin gets used to it quickly, you can increase your frequency. The L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar line includes four different face scrubs made with a naturally-derived blend of three pure sugars. Choose from the following face scrubs based on your skin’s particular type and needs.

#6

ADD FACE MASKS TO YOUR SOCIAL CALENDAR

Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. Invite a few friends over and set up a masking bar. Put out face masks that address various complexion concerns and have everyone coat their skin in at least one face mask. When one isn’t enough, try multi-masking. This trendy technique involves applying different face masks to different spots on your face—all at the same time. Basically, the more the merrier applies to both friends and face masks. Below are five face masks you can wear alone or mix and match. Just apply your face mask(s) of choice to clean dry skin, leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use two to three times a week for best results.