Thanks to hormonal changes, pimples are inevitable to pop out on your skin. Once oil has mixed with dead skin cells, bacteria gets trapped and clogged inside your pores—and bam, a pimple! But this is nothing to worry about because acne is a natural part of puberty, so you’re not alone on this one. With good skincare and a positive attitude, they’ll eventually fade away.
Teen acne: Where to start
At the age of 9 or 10, this is usually when acne starts to show and this will last all the way through adulthood. Small bumps or clogged pores will first start to appear on your forehead or down your nose—also referred to as comedones.
Every teenage girl has a different reaction toward the presence of acne. Some may hardly pay attention to it, but some may feel self-conscious about them. Either way, it’s important to take them seriously and find a treatment to help clear the skin before it gets worse!
If you’re dealing with pimples that cause excessive pain and look like cysts, it’s best to start with a doctor. However, if you’re experiencing other types of blemishes like black/whiteheads, you may opt for over-the-counter options.
Over-the-counter acne treatments
One of the best ways to begin is to get in the habit of following a skin care routine.
Without a routine, best believe that acne will come back for you. Just like how we all brush our teeth every day and every night, skincare should be regimented. When your face is washed in the morning and at night, then your skin is thanking you for treating your acne with medicine.
That routine should include:
- That routine should include:
- Cleansing twice a day
- Exfoliating a couple times a week
- Applying a moisturizer after washing
- Dabbing a spot treatment on pimples as needed
- Wearing sunscreen during the day
Face washes
First of all, makeup removal wipes DON’T count as cleansers! You should be washing your face both in the morning and before bed.
Look for products with benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria and remove excess oil from your pores, or salicylic acid to help exfoliate and unclog them. The right amount depends on your skin type—if you have oily skin, choose a face wash with 5% to 10% benzoyl peroxide. If your skin is more sensitive, opt for salicylic acid and a lower percentage of benzoyl peroxide.
Tips for dealing with teen acne
1. Establish a skin care routine
Oftentimes, young girls don’t understand the importance of regularly washing your face in the morning, before you sleep, and after exercising. You’ll be surprised—a regular skincare routine that’s consistently done can already help clear up blemishes!
2. Don’t pick at problem areas
Do not pop your pimples! It will only prolong the problem and possibly cause skin inflammation, infection, and scarring. Spot treatment and pimple patches will be your best friend in this case as they will help tamp down those zits.
3. Shower after activity
As sweat can trigger oil production and clog pores (causing pimples and bacne [acne on your back]), it’s important to have good hygiene habits, especially after sweaty practices and workouts. Bathing goes a long way!
4. Keep things clean
Regularly clean the items you often use and touch—like cellphone, glasses, and makeup brushes—as bacteria lurk all over the place. Keep your skin safe by keeping your surroundings clean.
5. Help teens manage stress
It’s quite common for pimples to show up when there’s an important event coming up. Well, stress is the culprit! Cortisol gets produced more rapidly when you’re stressed or anxious, which causes an increase in oil production. This clogs the pores, creating the acne. Find healthy ways to cope, like meditation, and focus on caring for your mental health. Not only do you get clearer skin, but a more positive outlook in life!