Looking for the best skin care products for teens? You've come to the right place. A lot of ink has been spilled about tweens stocking up on Drunk Elephant’s pricey serums and creams prompted by TikTok-inspired skin care routines. But when it comes to tween and teen skin, dermatologists say, the best care should keep it simple —as in, no more than three steps.
To help you craft the ideal routine for the teen in your life without frills or fillers, we've tagged in some dermatologists to share their best tips and recommendations. (It is best, however, to always personally consult a professional when dealing with specific skin concerns.)
Meet our experts
- Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego.
- Caren Campbell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco.
“Teens should be extra-cautious with their skin as their skin tends to be even more delicate than teens,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick. According to Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, tweens and teens should focus on “maintaining skin health and addressing early concerns,” like dryness and sensitivity; acne typically begins around ages 10 to 13, though this varies.
All the derms we spoke to recommend a super-simple practice: a gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturizer, and broad-spectrum sunscreen. “This routine helps maintain skin health by protecting it against sun damage and supporting the skin barrier," says Dr. Shirazi, "without overwhelming their skin with unnecessary ingredients that may end up causing more harm than good in the long run.”
Leave the active ingredients in peels and serums alone; these harsh actives can irritate teen skin and lead to redness, dryness, and sensitivity, says Dr. Garshick. “It’s actually possible that teenagers who are using too many active ingredients develop more skin issues such as irritation, breakouts, and milia as a result of all the different ingredients,” she explains. If acne-prone teens and tweens are dealing with breakouts, a retinol or exfoliating acid like salicylic acid can help, but check with your dermatologist for suggestions.
Read on for the best skin care products for teens and tweens, including sunscreen, cleanser, and acne spot treatments recommended by dermatologists.
Best Gentle Cleanser for Teens: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
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Cetaphil
Gentle Skin Cleanser
Key ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide
Sizes available: 2 oz., 8 oz.
Pros: Super-gentle cleanser is ideal for sensitive skin
Cons: Oily skin types may prefer a foamier cleanserThere are several reasons Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser has been trusted by generation after generation, including dermatologists. It’s gentle, hydrating, and soothing for all skin types — especially normal and dry skin — and won’t stress out sensitive types. “Use this gentle cleanser twice per day,” Dr. Campbell advises. “It’s best to use gentle skin care during the tween years as the skin is more sensitive and likely to get dry.” She adds, “Less is more. Avoid active ingredients unless you have acne.”
Best Acne Cleanser for Teens: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
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CeraVe
Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
Key ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Sizes available: 5 oz.
Pros: The creamy cleanser has a satisfying foam that deeply cleanses without being too harsh for teen skin
Cons: None to noteDermatologists love CeraVe for its gentle, fragrance-free formulas and accessible price points, which are ideal for tweens, teens, and adults alike. This foaming cream cleanser is the perfect example of the power of CeraVe: It contains 4% benzoyl peroxide to help fight acne-causing bacteria, but it won’t strip or dry out your skin because of the ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide that calm and moisturize. Says Dr. Campbell, suds up with this cleanser once per day anywhere breakouts and blemishes appear, including the face, chest, back, and butt.
