Teenage Skincare Routine: Simple Advice For Breakout-Prone Skin

A simple teenage skincare routine does not need lots of products or complicated steps. For younger skin that is becoming oilier or more prone to blackheads and spots, gentle cleansing, sensible product choices and avoiding unnecessary irritation are a good place to start.

Acne is very common during the teenage years, partly because hormonal changes during puberty can increase oil production. Skincare cannot control every cause of acne, but a straightforward routine can help keep the skin clean and comfortable without adding more irritation.

If you are looking for products specifically created with younger skin in mind, our Eve Taylor Teen Skin Actives collection includes options for cleansing, moisturising, oil control and focused blemish care.

Start With A Simple Routine

Teenage skincare is often made harder than it needs to be. Social media routines containing several acids, serums, masks and spot products may look impressive, but younger breakout-prone skin does not automatically need all of them.

A useful starting routine can be as simple as cleansing twice a day, using a suitable moisturiser if the skin needs it and choosing non-comedogenic products where possible. Additional products can then be introduced only when there is a clear reason to use them.

Step 1: Cleanse Gently Morning And Evening

NHS and NICE guidance recommends washing acne-prone skin twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Washing more frequently or scrubbing hard does not remove acne more effectively and can leave the skin irritated.

Use lukewarm water rather than very hot water and clean the skin without rough flannels, brushes or aggressive scrubs. After sport or heavy sweating, showering and changing out of sweaty clothing can also help keep the skin comfortable.

If you wear make-up, remove it before going to bed. Leaving make-up sitting on acne-prone skin overnight is not a useful shortcut, even when the product itself is described as non-comedogenic.

Step 2: Choose Products That Are Less Likely To Block Pores

NICE recommends avoiding oil-based and comedogenic skincare, sunscreen and make-up where possible if you have acne-prone skin. Products labelled non-comedogenic are designed to be less likely to block pores, although individual skin can still respond differently to particular formulas.

This does not mean oily skin should be stripped of every trace of oil. Sebum is a normal part of healthy skin. The aim is to remove everyday dirt, make-up, sunscreen and excess surface oil without repeatedly making the skin feel tight or sore.

Step 3: Use Moisturiser According To What Your Skin Needs

Breakout-prone skin can still become dry or uncomfortable, particularly when acne treatments or exfoliating ingredients are being used. If your skin feels tight, flaky or dry after cleansing, a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser may be useful.

Choose texture according to how your skin feels rather than assuming that every teenager needs either the lightest possible gel or a rich cream. Combination skin may also feel oily in some areas and dry in others.

Step 4: Be Careful With Active Ingredients

Ingredients such as salicylic acid are commonly found in products for oily and blemish-prone skin. The NHS also lists salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide among topical acne treatment options and recommends asking a pharmacist for advice.

Using more active ingredients does not necessarily mean better results. Introducing several exfoliating acids, scrubs and spot products together can make it difficult to work out which product is helping and which one is causing irritation.

If you want to add an active product, introduce one change at a time and follow the instructions supplied with that particular product.

Step 5: Do Not Pick Or Squeeze Spots

It can be tempting to squeeze a visible blackhead or spot, particularly before school, a photograph or an event. Both the NHS and NICE advise against persistent picking and squeezing because it can make spots more irritated and increase the risk of scarring.

Blackheads are not dirt trapped in the skin, so trying to physically scrub or squeeze them away does not address why they formed.

For more detail on blackheads, whiteheads and why teenage skin develops breakouts, read our guide to what causes teenage acne and blackheads.

What About Sunscreen?

Sun protection remains part of looking after skin, but acne-prone skin may prefer lighter textures. NICE recommends avoiding oil-based and comedogenic sunscreen preparations where possible for people with acne.

Choose suitable sun protection according to your skin, the time of year and your level of UV exposure. If you are using an acne medicine or skincare product that carries specific sun-exposure instructions, follow the product information or advice provided by your pharmacist or healthcare professional.

Common Teenage Skincare Mistakes

• Washing too often: cleansing repeatedly during the day can irritate acne-prone skin.
• Scrubbing spots: acne is not caused by dirty skin, so harder scrubbing is not the answer.
• Using too many active products: several exfoliants and spot treatments at once can make irritation harder to identify.
• Squeezing spots: picking can worsen irritation and increase the risk of scarring.
• Changing products constantly: it becomes difficult to judge a routine if several products are replaced every few days.
• Sleeping in make-up: remove make-up at the end of the day, particularly if your skin is prone to blocked pores.

What If A Teenager Has Blackheads Or Whiteheads?

A few blackheads or whiteheads do not necessarily mean a teenager needs a complicated routine. Gentle cleansing and suitable non-comedogenic skincare are sensible foundations.

If acne treatment is needed, a pharmacist can advise on suitable options. This is particularly useful because acne medicines and cosmetic skincare are not the same thing.

Our separate guide to different types of acne explains the differences between blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.

When Should A Teenager Speak To A Pharmacist Or GP?

For mild acne, a pharmacist can recommend suitable treatments and explain how to use them. There is no need to keep buying stronger cosmetic products if what you actually need is an appropriate acne treatment.

Speak to a GP if acne is not improving after trying appropriate treatment, if there are lots of spots, if they are deep or painful, if scarring is developing or if acne is having a significant effect on confidence or mental wellbeing.

Getting help for acne is not only about appearance. Acne can affect self-esteem, anxiety and mood, particularly during the teenage years, so it is reasonable to seek professional help if it is becoming upsetting.

How Can Parents Help With Teenage Skincare?

Parents and carers can help by keeping the conversation practical rather than making teenagers feel that spots are caused by poor hygiene. Acne is common and is strongly associated with the hormonal changes of puberty.

Help younger people avoid buying every product they see recommended online. A manageable routine that they are comfortable using is generally more useful than a shelf full of products that overlap or cause irritation.

If acne appears more than mild, encourage them to speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than relying entirely on social media advice or cosmetic products.

Teenage Skincare Does Not Need To Be Complicated

A useful routine starts with gentle cleansing and sensible product choices, not with trying to dry the skin out completely. Avoid scrubbing and picking, remove make-up at night and introduce additional products only when they have a clear purpose.

If you are choosing everyday skincare rather than treating acne medically, you can browse our Eve Taylor Teen Skin Actives range or our wider children and teen skincare collection. For persistent, painful or scarring acne, a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist is the more appropriate source of treatment advice.