The ESK blog
How do I talk to my teenager about their skin?
19 August 2024
Dr Anne Thomson
How do I talk to my teenager about their skin?
Lots of teenagers want only one thing for their birthday or Christmas- vouchers for shops where they can purchase expensive cosmeceutical skincare. They can regale you with “facts” about their fav skincare ingredients like niacinamide and collagen. But is it just a waste of money? So how do you handle the whole skincare conversation with your tween or teen without ending up in a massive row?
Here are my top tips!
“It’s fantastic that you’re interested in your skin. Taking care of it is important not just for looking good, but for your overall health too! Let’s chat about how you can keep your skin in top shape.”
3 things to promote that they might not love:
- Skin Health and General Health
“Your skin is a mirror of what’s happening inside your body. A healthy diet and lifestyle can make a big difference. Eating lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins gives your skin the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and glowing. Plus, staying active and getting enough sleep helps your skin repair itself and look its best.”
- Sun Protection
“One of the most important things you can do for your skin is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. The sun can cause a lot of damage, leading to premature aging and even skin cancer. Make it a habit to apply sunscreen every morning, and don’t forget to reapply if you’re outside for a while.”
Zinc Shade is a lightweight matte day cream and primer. Its non-greasy, matte finish allows for smooth application and works well under makeup. We spent countless iterations perfecting this lightweight, non-greasy formula to avoid the typical white cast and thick feel of zinc products. The results? A matte finish that works beautifully under makeup. With well tolerated matte finish, it's also well suited to irritable and blemish and bump prone skin. With SPF 15 it also provides broad-spectrum sun protection against UVA and UVB rays. Key features: Lightweight, matte formula suitable for daily use Smooth application with minimal white cast Broad-spectrum UV protection Tested SPF 15 with enhanced UVA coverage Usage: Apply evenly to all exposed areas of skin before sun exposure. Reapply as needed throughout the day.
Zinc Shade
- Cleansing Routine
“Getting into the habit of cleansing your face twice a day is super important. Use a non-soap cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. Clean skin means fewer breakouts and a clearer complexion.”
Our Calming Cleanser is a non-foaming, coconut sugar-based formula with a gentle pH of 4.5-5, making it ideal for sensitive skin types, including those with eczema and rosacea. This creamy cleanser effectively removes impurities while preserving the skin’s natural hydration and pH balance. Its non-soap formula minimises irritation and dryness, providing a soothing cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier. Designed for sensitive skin, Calming Cleanser avoids harsh ingredients like astringents, camphor, and menthol, which can trigger irritation. Gentle yet thorough, it supports a healthy microbiome and barrier, leaving skin calm, soft, and ready for the next step in your routine. Featuring; A creamy soap-free cleanser for skin that needs a gentle, silky wash.
Calming Cleanse
Next, let’s have this conversation with a teen who is breaking out and needs a bit of nuance:
Tackling Acne
“If you’re dealing with acne, now’s a great time to introduce some helpful ingredients into your routine:”
- Niacinamide: Reduces oil production plus inflammation and helps reduce redness.
B Calm is formulated to support irritable and blemish prone skin while maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Ceramides strengthen resilience, Salicylic Acid exfoliates and calms the skin, and Niacinamide helps regulate oil and reduce the appearance of blemished skin.
B Calm
Featuring:
- Ingredients to support an improved skin barrier
- Helps manage excess oil production
- Supports a clearer-looking skin
- Retinaldehyde: A gentle yet powerful form of vitamin A that helps with skin cell turnover and can prevent clogged pores. It is a proven pimple buster. And bonus; retinaldehyde is the form of vitamin A that is also antibacterial! It’s commonly referred to as retinal, not retinol, which is in the majority of over-the-counter skincare products. Retinal has been shown to be more effective and less irritating than retinol.
Ultimate A Night Cream contains 0.06% Retinal, the most gentle and effective form of Vitamin A, paired with Niacinamide to help maintain skin barrier function and support brighter, firmer and more even looking skin tone and texture. Well suited even for the most irritable skin. Usage: Apply at night after cleansing (and serum if being used) as part of your evening skincare routine.
Ultimate A
Key features:
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): These exfoliate the skin, helping to clear away dead skin cells and reduce breakouts.
Smooth Serum is a night treatment formulated with 3% Glycolic acid, 1% Lactic acid, and 1% Gluconolactone. This gentle AHA blend supports the appearance of skin texture and surface renewal, helping maintain the look of even skin tone. Caution: Not recommended for very sensitive skin or skin prone to rosacea.
Smooth Serum
Key features:
Now here’s the thorny one: your teen wants to spend big at shops like Mecca and Sephora on mega pricey skincare. What can you say?
Cosmeceuticals and Skin Aging
“While it’s awesome that you’re interested in skincare, there’s no evidence that using anti-aging products as a teenager will prevent skin aging later on. They can be expensive and might not give you the results you’re looking for. So let’s just have a look before we buy!”
Be Informed
“I love that you’re curious and want to learn more! When it comes to skincare advice, it’s important to look at scientific studies rather than just TikTok videos. If you find a study that is convincing, I’d love for us to check it out together.”
Keep up the great work, and remember that taking care of your skin now sets the foundation for healthy skin in the future. If you have any questions or need more tips, I’m here to help!