Understanding and taking proper care of your skin at a young age and continuing a professional homecare routine throughout your lifetime is the best strategy to prolong your skin’s youthful appearance. The skin we are born with is determined by genetics, but how we care for our skin and what we put into our bodies on a daily basis has a huge impact on skin health and appearance.

Some teens have carefree skin that is easy to maintain and care for. Others face the challenges of breakouts or acne which can be the result of diet, stress and/or the hormonal shifts that occur at this stage of human development. Understanding how to care for your skin’s individual needs and using the appropriate skincare products will result in beautiful skin.

Young, beautiful skin requires protection. The sooner you start - the better off you will look in the future. Proper cleansing, gentle exfoliation, hydration and protection from UV exposure are critical at this stage of life. (Most of the UV exposure we receive in our lifetimes occurs by the time we are 18 years old.)

Working with an esthetician that understands teen skin will set you up on the path to maintaining beautiful skin. It begins with an effective homecare routine suited to your skin’s specific needs (i.e. building good habits on how you treat and care for your skin on a daily basis) and is enhanced by regular professional facial treatments.

Homecare for Healthy Skin

Cleansing – Clear skin begins with proper cleansing

Cleanse morning and night. Spend two minutes each evening massaging your cleanser in to thoroughly cleanse your skin. It is important to remove all traces of impurities from your skin each night before bed. It is also important to start the day fresh with clean skin before putting on your protective day cream and SPF.

Exfoliation – Gently remove dead surface cells regularly

Dry, dead skin cells tend to accumulate other dead cells. This build up can lead to congestion, clogged pores and a dull complexion. Proper exfoliation leaves the skin smooth, clear and better able to absorb hydration and moisture. Young skin will benefit from gentle exfoliation one to three times a week depending on skin type and the exfoliant.

Protection – Even young skin benefits from moisture & hydration

In the daytime, you want to protect your skin from the environment and UV exposure. At night, you want to assist the skin in its own reparative process. Using moisturizers suited to your skin type and condition will provide hydration; maintain the skin’s youthful appearance; and can also be used to correct imbalances and impurities.

SPF – During the day, it is critical to protect young skin from the damaging UV rays of the sun. You have a choice between chemical sunscreens and physical sun blocks. Chemical sunscreens are more cosmetically elegant – they usually feel better and are less visible on the skin. However, mineral sunscreens have the benefits of lasting longer, deflecting UV rays and heat, and are formulated with natural ingredients.

Mineral makeup and powders are a natural yet elegant way to conceal blemishes and block UV damage all day! Not all mineral makeup is created equal. Look for lines that are more pure and contain higher quality ingredients.

Regular Facial Treatments

Getting professional facial treatments on a regular basis will enhance your daily homecare routine and improve the overall texture and tone of your skin. Facial treatments benefit your skin by providing you with professional level exfoliation and extractions to deeply cleanse your pores and clear up breakouts.

If pores are left clogged with sebum, debris and dead cells (the causes of those notorious blackheads) they tend to fill up and stretch out. And if left clogged too long, the pore may no longer be able shrink back to its normal size once cleaned out.

I recommend that most people receive facials every four to eight weeks; acneic clients can come as often as every three weeks.

Professional vs. Over the Counter Products

Professional products are formulated for specific skin types and conditions. They contain a higher amount of active ingredients than drugstore and department store brands. Active ingredients are the ingredients that actually effect, benefit and improve the skin. On average, over the counter products contain 1 to 3% active ingredients, whereas professional products contain 10 to 20%.

Professional products are also pH balanced and non-comedogenic (will not clog pores) which over the counter products may or may not be. Many drug and department store brands claim to be non-comedogenic but I still find that they clog my client’s pores.

Professional product lines spend their money on research, development and quality ingredients whereas drugstore and department store brands spend their money on packaging and marketing. Marketers know how to appeal to consumers, especially the younger ones. They use beautiful celebrities, cool packaging and false claims to lure consumers. Just because it costs more, or is sold at the cosmetics counter of a department store does not mean it is a quality product. Don’t be fooled.

Other Tips and Tricks

Remember to not touch your face throughout the day – dirty hands transfer dirt and bacteria to the facial skin which can cause blemishes and breakouts.

Clean or replace makeup brushes every two weeks – dirty makeup brushes are breeding grounds for bacteria and collectors of grime and oils.

Replace cream and liquid based makeup every 6 months – any product that contains water can harbor bacteria and makeup products tend to get contaminated easily.

Change your pillowcase frequently.

Drink plenty of filtered or spring water throughout the day.

Consider cleansing immediately after sports to avoid breakouts – sweat and wiping the face with dirty hands or arms can lead to breakouts and clogged pores. Dirty headbands on hats can promote breakouts as well.