Embarking on your skincare journey as a teen is an exciting time. However, the desire for clear skin and the influence of social media trends can lead to experimentation with products unsuitable for young skin.
We are seeing more and more posts and articles highlighting what is fast becoming a teen skindemic.
Parents are rightfully concerned their tweens and teens are being encouraged to buy and use skincare that is not only expensive, but wholly unsuitable for young skin, with damaging consequences.
In this blog, we explore the potential pitfalls of teens being swayed by social media influencers to use unsuitable and expensive skincare and how you can help educate and benefit your teen by opting for natural, suitable alternatives.
Understanding the Teen Skindemic:
Teenagers often grapple with the challenges of hormonal changes, resulting in oily skin, acne breakouts and other complexion issues; we’ve all been there.
In their quest for a solution and driven by social media channels flooded with influencers pushing candy-coloured packaged products, many teens are turning to costly skincare without considering their skin type, unintentionally exposing themselves to potential risks, not to mention breaking the bank of mum and dad.
The most crucial issue is compromising the skin barrier. The skin's natural barrier protects against environmental threats and maintains hydration, so harsh products will compromise this barrier, leaving the skin vulnerable to infections, sensitivity, and premature ageing.
There are numerous hazards and consequences to using harsh and unsuitable skincare for any skin type, let alone young, healthy skin and in today’s saturated beauty market, with the ever-growing sales streams such as Instagram and TikTok, teens are bamboozled with an array of trending products they are drawn to for the wrong reasons.
Many of these products contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, popular choices for acne-prone skin that can be overly drying, stripping the skin of moisture. Teenagers with already sensitive or dry skin then experience irritation, redness and even peeling as a result, exasperating their already troubled skin and knocking their self-confidence.
Different types of acne require tailored treatments, so using harsh exfoliants meant for one type of acne may worsen another. For instance, aggressive exfoliation on inflammatory acne can intensify redness and swelling, making the problem far worse and then there are allergic reactions. Teens may unknowingly have allergies to certain skincare ingredients, such as fragrance and preservatives, both are common culprits that can trigger itching, redness and swelling. Patch-testing products is crucial to identify potential allergies, especially when using a product for the first time and when a teen has spent more than £50 on a single product, it can be an expensive and wasteful purchase if they have a reaction.
Then we have the risk of uneven pigmentation, caused by the misuse of certain products, particularly those with potent exfoliants, that can lead to uneven pigmentation; damaged skin may result in dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Pigmentation is common in adult, mature skin, but that’s after years of sun and environmental damage and shouldn’t be an issue for healthy young skin.
The solution:
Unfortunately, we cannot police everything teens see on social media and let’s face it, these product trends will continue, but if we educate teens and help them to understand the pros and cons of skincare, they’ll learn to make informed decisions themselves.
This is why we created BISOUS by L’ORGANIQ, a clean and natural micro collection of daily teen skincare essentials. In our first year of launching L’ORGANIQ we received so many enquiries from parents asking advice and recommendations for suitable teen skincare; and so BISOUS was born.
Teen skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. Teens don’t require a myriad of products to maintain their hormonal skin. What is important is education, an appreciation of the basics for good skin health and a daily routine that will serve them for a lifetime.
Understanding their skin type is the first step, be it oily, dry, combination or sensitive, until you’ve established their skin type, a tailored routine will be crucial for optimal results. If you’re unsure of your teens skin type or how best to treat skin concerns, consult a dermatologist or skin clinic, as they can provide professional insights and guide teens towards appropriate products and treatments.
In addition to understanding their skin type, consider exploring the benefits of natural skincare alternatives. Natural ingredients, such as aloe vera, chamomile, and tea tree oil, offer gentler solutions without harsh chemicals and irritants. These natural ingredients often possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, aiding in the soothing and healing of the skin in a safe and natural way.
Navigating the world of teenage skincare requires thoughtful consideration. By avoiding the pitfalls of unsuitable products and embracing the benefits of natural skincare alternatives, teenagers can foster a healthy relationship with their skin. This not only addresses immediate concerns but sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, well-nourished skin.