Skin Savvy: Tween & Teen Tips for Radiant Skin

In the United States, a significant thirty-two percent of individuals between the ages of 10-19 are on Tik Tok according to data from Comscore. With beauty being one of the largest areas of content on social media, is it a wonder that our tweens and teens are becoming obsessed with skincare and makeup. The question becomes is this inherently detrimental?

As a skincare professional who has worked with clients from as young as 11 and 12, I say it is not a straightforward yes or no. I believe there are positive aspects to this cultural shift, but it is important to acknowledge the concerns around it as well.

There has always been an over-emphasis on the importance of physical beauty when it comes to women. Despite strides we have made in promoting “girl power”, strong women, and “girl bosses”, it remains disheartening to witness the contrast between these empowering ideals and the reality that influencers flaunting bikinis and lingerie while holding a skincare product have thousands more followers than the women responsible for formulating those products. I can’t help but wonder if you asked most tweens and teens what their aspirations are, would they say influencer or skincare chemist? I have my guess.

In recent years there has been a notable shift in the beauty industry towards more self-acceptance through movements such as Pro-Aging, Makeup Free, and Acne-Acceptance. This positive transformation is crucial for younger generations to witness, fostering a more inclusive and empowering beauty culture. I love the beauty industry. I have spent 20 years dedicating my career to helping people understand and embrace confidence in their skin.

Our skin is our largest organ and taking care of it should be a priority. Skincare and makeup are also extremely fun and creative! Cultivating a generation that is conscious of skin health is undeniably beneficial. It is, however, important to guide them through the vast and sometimes overwhelming landscape of information with positivity and proper guidance.

Here are a few quick tips to assist Gen Alpha in navigating this fascinating field:

1. Have them see a professional. One way to be sure they are using products that are appropriate for their ages and help them weed out poor information is to have them see an esthetician. Most spas offer a teen facial which will focus on cleansing, balancing, and nourishing the skin with gentle products. It will give them an hour to talk with an expert and they will get recommendations customized for their skin’s needs. It will also me a memorable, stress-relieving experience. We underestimate the stress that young people are under and teaching them selfcare early will be an amazing tool for wellness as they go through life.

2. Engage in their interests. While this may seem obvious, many parents instinctively reject their tweens’ interest in skincare and makeup. Instead of an immediate hard “No”, initiate conversations about what they love about it, watch their favorite influencers together, and encourage them to explore self-care or express creativity with makeup artistry. This will also build trust when you make suggestions and give advice curbing the “parents don’t know anything” mentality. By actively participating as parents, we can guide our tweens towards positive social media engagement, foster a better understanding of the reality behind the images and videos they are watching, and help them learn what products are appropriate for their needs.

This leads to the question, “what products should tweens and teens be using?”. This is the perfect age to develop good skincare routines with gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen. They could use micellar waters and cleansers that are free of harsh surfactants like sulfates that can be drying. If they are struggling with acne, I still recommend a non-drying cleanser with ingredients like salicylic or mandelic acids.

When it comes to moisturizers look for oil free options if they are oily and breakout prone, but it is still important to keep the skin balanced with hydration. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and linoleic and linolenic acids are similar to the components of the skin and will nourish it without causing breakouts. Sunscreen is a must at any age and it’s the ideal time to get them in the habit of using it daily.

If they want to experiment with serums and masks, caution against using anything too active like retinol, strong hydroxy acids, or abrasive scrubs. Hydrating serums, antioxidants, hydrating masks, or a clay mask for breakouts could all be appropriate. Emphasize the importance of moderation and help them understand that using products that are too strong or using too many products will adversely affect the skin contradicting the fundamental intention of skincare, promoting healthy skin.

I say let’s embrace this movement because as always, times change, and we all must adapt to what the future generations are exposed to and interested in. It’s an exciting time when we can create community and bridge the gaps between the generations though beauty and wellness!