Struggling with teenage skin problems? You’re not alone, but putting some smart strategies in place can help
Skin starts to shift during the all-important teen years and unlocking the best skincare for teens can really take the pressure off.
You might have had blemish-free skin up until now, only to find that your complexion has become afflicted with frustrating symptoms such as regular break outs, dryness or redness.
These skin flare ups can have a huge psychological impact, leaving you with rock bottom self-confidence and high anxiety levels.
Teenagers are no stranger to the power that hormones can exert over their emotions. You might feel happy one moment and irritable the next. And just as mood changes are common during teenage years, skin health can also have its ups and downs too.
Teenage skin problems are really common, and there are many factors that impact how your skin behaves. Our pimple-preventing guide will help you tackle skin issues head on, so that you glow from the inside out.
Switch up your skincare
You might not have paid your skin much attention so far, but from your teen years you’ll need to start showing it some TLC.
The skin absorbs over 60 per cent of what you put onto it, so invest in kind-to-the-complexion cosmetics, which are free from fragrances, alcohol, parabens and other chemicals.
Look for Soil Association certified buys for peace of mind that you’re investing in the best skincare products for teens. You’ll find a list of approved brands here.
Avoid UPFs
Teenage skin problems are often caused by a poor diet that’s high in ultra processed foods. These are your body’s worst enemy as they’re usually high in salt, trans fats and sugar, which are detrimental to inner and outer vitality.
Ultra processed foods, which include crisps, sweets, biscuits and chocolate bars are devoid of nutrients and cause blood glucose spikes within the body, which set off a chain of inflammation. Stick to healthier alternatives such as a handful of raw nuts, oatcakes and dark or raw chocolate to keep skin in check.
Drink more water
You might prefer a fizzy drink or a glass of juice to plain water, but guzzling water is one of the easiest routes to clearer skin. Water helps to hydrate skin cells so that skin appears glowy instead of dull.
You need around 1.5 litres of water per day, and one of the easiest ways to make sure you’re drinking enough is to carry a large reusable water bottle around with you. Add a wedge of lemon and some sprigs of mint or parsley for an extra dose of skin-loving nutrients.
Ditch beige foods
The state of your skin is linked to the health of your gut, and if you’re suffering from recurrent break outs, it could be a sign that your gut needs a healthy kickstart.
Diversity is the name of the game when it comes to improving your gut microbiome. Putting this into practice means avoiding the same meals day in day out and adding bright colour to your plate instead.
Sweet potato, tomatoes, broccoli and beetroot are all foods that will help to nurture the beneficial bacteria that lives in the gut. Try to consume around seven to nine different brightly coloured fruits and vegetables per day.
Why not try a delicious, nutrient-rich recipe from registered nutritionist @erth.and.me?
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Get herb savvy
Teenage skin requires a constant stream of nutrients to stay blemish-free and along with choosing the best skincare products for teens, thinking about taking a powerful supplement that’s specifically formulated for the hormonal and metabolic changes that happen during teen years is critical. HRI Teen Skin has been developed with this very premise in mind.
The vegan friendly food supplement contains 26 nutrients like vitamin B, C and zinc along with grapeseed and berry extracts. The all-in-one multivitamin is crammed with live cultures for an easy way to top up on those all-important nutrients that get readily used up through daily living.
Let skin breathe
Along with choosing products formulated with natural ingredients over those made with harsh ingredients, streamlining your beauty care will help to ensure that your skin isn’t overloaded.
Good skincare for teens should include a hard-working cleanser to get rid of evening dirt and grime, and a smoothing moisturiser containing sunscreen will help to protect skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Just be sure to apply your moisturiser after allowing your skin around 20 minutes of direct sunlight exposure to help your body manufacture immunity-supporting vitamin D.
Avoid touching your face
When your skin feels irritable, touching it can feel like the most natural thing to do, but too much poking and prodding can transfer dirt and bacteria, which can trigger break outs.
It’s also important to avoid popping pimples, (no matter how tempting it feels). Pimples are made up of trapped oil, sebum and bacteria and popping them actually hampers the body’s natural healing process and can lead to permanent scarring.
Try to keep the area clean and pimples should eventually go away by themselves. For other common habits that can impact teen skin click here.
Reduce stress
Stress is inextricably linked to teenage skin problems. Your physical body is in tune with your emotions, so if you suffer flare ups when you feel stressed – it’s your body’s way of crying out for help.
Stress increases inflammatory compounds in the body, which can lead to skin symptoms. It’s important to tackle the root of stress head on and find other outlets that help you feel calmer. Going for a walk, talking to a friend or deep breathing exercises can all help you feel zen again.
