Skincare Trends Teens Should Skip

Being a teen these days can be rough. There’s pressure to fit in and follow the trends, yet still be unique. In their efforts to be like their peers, but also be themselves and gain popularity, many teens fall into the trap of trends that may not actually be the most helpful. Right now, skincare trends are taking over social media, and many are unfortunately falling victim to them. So, what trends should your teen avoid?

Trend #1: Overcomplicated Routines 

If your teen has ever come to you begging for a list of expensive skincare products that you’ve never even heard of, social media might be to blame. Influencers and content creators are known for “get ready with me” videos, nighttime routines, and skincare tips. More often than not, these videos show the creators using 5 or more products at once, from cleansers and serums, to exfoliants and masks. While it might look fun and aesthetic to use so many things, it’s really not necessary and frankly, can be harmful to young, developing skin.

Research shows that 85-90% of teens suffer from acne. When this is the case, skin needs simple cleansing and moisturizing, and an overload of products can clog pores and irritate the skin, making the problem worse. All young skin really needs is a 3 step routine including a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Girlyish Skincare’s Glowing Girly routine is a great option that is free from hormone disruptors, fragrances, and parabens. Plus, they come in cute, fun packaging, so your teen can still feel cool and trendy without harming their skin barrier.

Trend #2: Skip The Actives

Anti-aging products have their time and place. And while social media trends try to tell teens that the time and place is now, young skin needs to stay far, far away from active ingredients! Things like retinols and Vitamin C, while marketed to reduce wrinkles and create glowing skin, actually cause irritation and acne, which is the complete opposite of what you and your teen want for their skin. At their age, they don’t need to be worrying about wrinkles, and youthful skin has a natural glow that is best brought out by a simple, clean routine.

Trend #3: DIY Skincare

Some skincare trends are focused on consumerism and popular brands, but there is a large platform for the other side of the skincare spectrum: DIY and “natural” hacks. This is also a space where your teen needs to be very cautious. Your skincare choices should focus on clinical recommendations and products that have been formulated and tested specifically for skin. Trendy DIYs like lemon juice masks and coconut oil for moisturizer can cause a lot of harm to your skin. You don’t want your teen dealing with an unbalanced skin barrier, clogged pores, burns, and long term sensitivity. Stick to researched and trusted skincare methods!

Trend #4: Over-exfoliating 

Another common theme in teen skincare trends is exfoliating. Whether that’s from chemical exfoliators or physical exfoliators, the fact is, too much of a good thing isn’t great. Exfoliating in and of itself is beneficial for your skin because it removes dead skin and debris that can get trapped in your pores and cause acne. But, there is a limit. You don’t want to scrub away all the good stuff along with the bad! Doing this will weaken your skin’s barrier and can cause lots of issues, from irritation to microabrasions and infections. Exfoliating isn’t even an everyday routine in the teen years, and you definitely want to avoid using more than one exfoliating method per day.

Don’t Be Swayed

Social media trends and creators can influence your choices, sometimes in great ways! But make sure that while you and your teen are learning more about what their skin needs, that your information comes from trusted sources as opposed to cool trends. Their skin (and your wallet!) will thank you.