Stop Listening to TikTok when it comes to Pre-Teen Skin Care
As parents, you always want the best for your children. From their education to their health. You strive to provide them with everything they need to thrive. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is children's skincare. But do they really need an in-depth skincare routine as some social media influencers would have us believe?
Social Media influencers would have us believing that if a 9yr old with perfect skin starts using a myriad of highly active products they'll be able to maintain their baby complexion for life. The product companies have jumped on board with this type of marketing toward this age group. Promoting it as an untapped niche and amending packaging to stimulate sales in this age group. Thus, encouraging our pre-teens to experiment with products that could cause damage such as skin scarring, destroying the skin barrier function, create cystic acne, severe eczema or lifelong sensitivities. This social influence on our young people is putting pressure on parents to make decisions that most are not equipped to address.
Many factors will determine how a skin behaves later in life and topically applying a mountain of products to prevent an unforeseen skin issue has limited merit.
So, let’s take a closer look at what is important and what we can do now to help our pre-teens maintain good skin health now and set them up for future success.
Pre-Teen Basic Skin Hygiene Routine
So, let’s start them off with what we all should be doing every day.
1. Cleanse.
2. Moisturise.
3. Sunscreen (when outside).
Basic skin hygiene is essential for children to maintain healthy and clear skin. This includes regular washing with a gentle soap free cleanser, moisturising to keep the skin hydrated (a requirement even for oily complexions in Australia), and applying sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays. Teaching your children these basic skincare habits from an early age will set them up with an awesome appreciation of the importance of looking after themselves. (See below for more specific tips)
When to Seek Expert Skin Help and Not Rely on Social Media for your Pre-Teen
While it is important to instil good skin hygiene habits in children, it is also important to know when to seek help from experts. Social media influencers are dishing out generalised advice and the one thing I know after treating skins for over 30yrs is that no 2 skins are the same. If your child is experiencing skin issues such as eczema, acne, or severe dryness, it is best to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional. If there is a skin issue, then additional topical products and a more detailed skin routine may be of assistance. Avoid relying on advice from social media platforms such as TikTok, and trying the newest fad, as this can often lead to misinformation and potentially harmful practices or lifelong skin trauma.
What Else Can Parents Do to Help their Pre-Teen with Skin Health?
Additionally, things that help maintain children’s skin health:
Keeping a Healthy Diet
Getting Plenty of Good Sleep
Limiting Stress and Screentime
Sun Protection including hats, sunglasses and sunscreen reapplication.
*Remember to keep skincare fun and enjoyable. You could do routines together with your pre-teen or buy matching funny headbands.
What’s Outside of our Control:
Puberty, Environment, DNA, Illness and Medications also play a significant role in determining how a skin changes over time and topical products may not be able to prevent many of the skin fluctuations that occur due to their disruptive influence.
Children's skincare is an important aspect of overall health and well-being and setting up a basic routine early in life, just like teaching them to brush their teeth, is key to a child's good hygiene. By teaching basic skincare habits, seeking help from experts when needed, and using gentle and natural products, you can help your child maintain healthy skin for years to come. Remember, good skincare habits start young!
Jacqui’s Skin Coach Tips for Pre-Teen:
When it comes to children's skincare products, it is important to choose gentle and natural options that are specifically formulated for young skin.
*Only encourage a double cleanse on a child’s face after sunscreen or play/theatrical makeup has been worn. No need to over cleanse a child’s skin as it can lead to dehydration and blackheads.
*Use a clean washer to remove cleanser and don’t put face directly under shower as it usually is too hot a temperature for the delicate facial skin.
Suggested Cleanser – InLights Foaming Gel (soap free) Original for normal skin types or Lemon Myrtle for Breakout Prone skin.
*Use a Moisturiser every day in Australia. Even oily skins dehydrate quickly in this country, and this can lead to issues with a disruption in barrier function. Often over stimulating oil glands or leaving skins at the potential risk of other skin concerns such as dermatitis.
Suggested Moisturiser – InLights Debut Clear Skin Face Cream (oily tendencies) or InLights Daylight Moisturiser (if normal/dehydrated)
*Apply moisturiser straight after cleansing or getting out of shower. This helps lock in moisture and helps balance the skins ph quickly.
Additional Suggested Breakout Teenage Products – On The Spot Blemish Gel (clear serum for pimple reduction), Pink Clay Mask (to draw and soothe).
Always reach out to Jacqui@thespahub.com.au with any skin questions. Visit www.thespahub.com.au
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