Teenagers are being sold skincare routines built for people three decades older. Ten-step routines, retinol, high-strength acids, eye creams for wrinkles that haven't arrived. None of it is necessary, and some of it is actively unhelpful on young skin. What teen skin actually needs is short, gentle and consistent.
What's happening to teen skin
Hormonal changes during puberty ramp up oil production. That extra oil, combined with normal skin cell turnover, is what leads to clogged pores and breakouts. It's biology, not a hygiene failure, and it's worth saying out loud to a teenager who thinks their skin is their fault.
Young skin also repairs itself quickly and doesn't need help with firmness, collagen or fine lines. That rules out most of what's marketed on social media.
The three steps
1. A gentle cleanser, twice a day
Morning and evening, with lukewarm water. A soft gel or cream cleanser is ideal. What matters most is what it doesn't do: no tight, squeaky finish, no harsh scrubs, no face washes that sting.
The instinct with oily skin is to scrub harder and wash more. That backfires, because stripped skin produces more oil to compensate. Twice a day is the ceiling, plus after sport.
2. A light moisturiser
Yes, even oily skin. Skipping moisturiser is one of the most common teen mistakes. A light, non-comedogenic gel-cream keeps the barrier intact, which in turn keeps oil production steadier and makes breakouts less angry.
3. Sunscreen every morning
This is the step with the biggest long-term payoff, and in Australia it's non-negotiable. The habit matters more than the product, so let them pick a formula that feels good, since a sunscreen that feels heavy or greasy simply won't get worn. Lightweight fluid formulas are usually an easier sell.
What to skip for now
- Retinol and anti-ageing serums. No benefit on teen skin, and a real irritation risk.
- Strong exfoliating acids and gritty scrubs. They damage the barrier and can worsen breakouts.
- Eye creams. Not needed.
- Ten-step routines. More products means more chances to react to something, and less chance of sticking with it.
- Toothpaste, lemon juice and other kitchen remedies. Genuinely damaging, and still doing the rounds online.
If breakouts are the main concern
Once the three basics are steady, a single targeted treatment can be added, used on affected areas rather than the whole face. Introduce one product at a time and give it a few weeks. Adding three new things at once means you'll never know what worked or what caused a reaction.
For parents
Keep it low pressure. Skin is tied up with confidence at this age, and a routine that feels like a chore or a criticism won't last. A few things that help:
- Let them choose between two or three suitable options rather than handing them a product.
- Keep the routine to something they can do in two minutes, or it won't happen on a school morning.
- Set the expectation that improvement takes six to eight weeks, not days.
- Don't comment on their skin unprompted.
When to see a doctor
If breakouts are painful, deep under the skin, widespread, leaving marks or scars, or clearly affecting their confidence, book a GP appointment. Effective treatments exist, and there's no reason to wait it out.
This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you have a persistent skin concern, please speak to your GP or dermatologist.