Preteen skincare do’s and don’ts

For preteens, self-care is often one of the first areas of life they take control of. It’s part of the mindset of that age — to understand what it means to grow up.

Recently, there’s been a surge in preteens exploring the world of skin care. If you’ve scrolled through social media, you’ve likely seen videos of young teens showing off their skin care product collections.

“As a father, I can tell you that getting kids interested in hygiene is tough sometimes, so in that regard, I think learning to take care of your body — and your skin is a major part of that — is a desirable thing to see,” says David Larrymore, MD, MultiCare Rockwood Clinic dermatologist. “But the thing about this phenomenon we’re seeing is that it’s children with perfectly fine skin, and yet they feel compelled to embark on a skin regimen.”

Hygiene is important, but not all products are one-size-fits-all. Some may even do more harm than good on young skin.

“You only get one body … and they’re becoming more responsible for themselves and that body,” Dr. Larrymore says. “This is an opportunity for parents to talk with their kids about how to do that in a safe manner, though.”

The do’s

• Gentle makeup-removing cleanser, if needed
• Gentle facial cleanser in the morning and at night
• Noncomedogenic* moisturizer (morning or night) if experiencing dryness
• Noncomedogenic* moisturizer with SPF (30 or above) if going outside

*Noncomedogenic products are those specifically designed not to clog pores.

Unless your preteen is experiencing severe acne or other conditions that may impact their skin, such as allergies or eczema, Dr. Larrymore says a gentle cleanser is all a preteen really needs. But your child’s activities or habits may change that recommendation.

A sport-playing, sweaty preteen with oily skin may need to shower and wash their face every time they hit the locker room. But if they’re still washing their face that often 20 years later, they’ll likely experience dry skin.

On the other hand, a young preteen wearing makeup every day and not cleansing at night may be setting themself up for irritation and acne.

It’s about moderation, balance and a little trial and error to find what works for you, Dr. Larrymore adds. There’s plenty of simple and reasonably priced products that are rigorously tested and safe for preteen skin.

The don’ts

• Rigorous exfoliation — both from a scrubbing product itself or mechanical friction such as brushes or pads
• Anything harsh and drying — check product ingredients for alcohol
• Salicylic acid — can be harmful unless warranted by a dermatologist to treat specific conditions or severe acne
• Anything anti-aging — retinols specifically can be very irritating for any age

“If your preteen is paying attention to what they’re seeing on social media, and you see rashes and irritation on their face, you need to intervene,” Dr. Larrymore says.

A common misconception — not just among preteens — is thinking the skin is dirty and needs to be scrubbed, he says. Your skin naturally produces the oils it needs, and over-washing and treating it with harsh chemicals can cause more inflammation, irritation and imbalance.

And although retinols are good for regulating skin cell growth, they can easily become irritating on those with already healthy skin. Antiaging products can wait until closer to your mid-20s and early 30s.

Additionally, if you notice your child’s skin is sensitive to certain fragrances or ingredients, or they have conditions such as eczema, avoiding products that could worsen those reactions will be especially important, Dr. Larrymore adds.

Encourage self-care

Preteens learn from the people around them, but especially their peers. While that can be a great way to learn and explore new ideas, it can also be overwhelming and confusing to navigate, Dr. Larrymore says.

“They’re interested in people close to their age or slightly older, and they see what they do and want to follow,” he says. “Mimicking and imitating is how kids learn.

As with any social media trend, some can be dangerous and others can be informative. Take this spark of interest as an opportunity to discuss healthy safe-care practices and other health aspects that come with growing up, Dr. Larrymore says.

You don’t want to discourage the behavior — just ensure it’s being done safely.