Teen troubles: How to overcome skin issues

The teenage years are an exciting and transformative time, but they can also bring about various challenges, especially when it comes to the skin. Hormonal changes, increased oil production, and environmental factors can all contribute to skin problems.

Common skin issues teenagers face

Acne breakouts: Acne is perhaps the most prevalent skin issue among teenagers. Hormonal fluctuations during puberty lead to increased sebum production, causing clogged pores and the formation of pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.

Oily skin: Excessive sebum production often goes hand in hand with acne. Teens with oily skin may struggle with a persistent greasy appearance, enlarged pores, and frequent breakouts.

Dryness and flakiness: While some teenagers grapple with oily skin, others experience dryness and flakiness. Dry skin can feel tight, itchy, and even painful. Environmental factors like cold weather, central heating, and hot showers can exacerbate dryness.

Hyperpigmentation and scarring: For many teenagers, the battle with acne does not end with the disappearance of pimples. Hyperpigmentation and scarring can linger long after the acne has cleared, leaving behind dark spots or indented marks.

Eczema and sensitivity: Teenagers with eczema or sensitive skin face unique challenges. Their skin tends to be easily irritated, resulting in redness, itching, and discomfort.

When do teens start experiencing skin breakouts?

Teens typically start experiencing skin breakouts during puberty, which usually begins between the ages of 10 and 13 for girls and between 12 and 14 for boys. However, the exact timing can vary from person to person.

The onset of puberty triggers hormonal changes in the body, including an increase in androgen hormones such as testosterone. These hormonal fluctuations stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum (oil), which can clog pores and lead to the formation of acne breakouts.

It’s important to note that while puberty is a common time for teenagers to start experiencing skin breakouts, not all teens will develop acne. Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to acne or other factors that influence their skin’s sensitivity to hormonal changes.

It’s also worth mentioning that acne breakouts can continue into the late teenage years and even persist into adulthood for some individuals. The severity and duration of acne can vary widely, with some teens experiencing mild, occasional breakouts, while others may struggle with more persistent and severe acne.

How to fight teen skin problems

The world we live in is about instant gratification and wanting perfect skin is no exception. Teens want a quick fix and a quick routine, however, not all teen skin is the same though.

Some may suffer from oily skin, others just a few isolated breakouts, and there are those teenagers who may experience severe breakouts and a visit to a dermatologist may be required.

Ruan Winter from South African skincare brand Vitaderm says that there are a few tips teens can incorporate into their daily lives to help combat their skin concerns. These are:

• The adage of ‘you are what you eat’ rings true when it comes to your skin, as your skin not only reflects your good eating habits but your bad ones too. Try to incorporate fruit and vegetables into your diet and increase your water intake to help flush toxins out of the body.
• Keeping your skin and hands clean helps to stop the spread of bacteria. Before exercising or playing sport, remove makeup so that the pores don’t become blocked with sweat. Cleaning your skin straight after can help to remove any bacteria. Carry a pack of skin cleansing wipes in your gym or sports bag to make this easy and effortless. However, this shouldn’t replace cleaning your skin properly with your daily cleanser as well as incorporating an exfoliator twice a week.
• Teen’s hair and skin can become excessively oily due to the sebum working extra hard because of hormonal changes. This often leads to enlarged pores and breakouts on the forehead, nose, chin, chest and back.  Using a salicylic spot treatment will reduce congestion, minimise inflammation and help the skin to heal. Look for products that include Vitamin B3 and tea tree.
• Using an alcohol-free toner after cleansing helps to prepare the skin to get the most out of your moisturiser. Look for products that contains extracts of juniper, cedarwood and tea tree which have healing properties and restore the natural balance of problematic skin while normalising oil production.
• Even if your skin is oily, it is important to still use a moisturiser. Choose a light moisturiser, or a protective one, that will calm the skin and provide protection against the elements.

Winter adds that helping your teen take care of their skin is not only about using the right products but doing this consistently. If you find that the products your teen have chosen are not agreeing with their skin, or addressing your concerns, finding a beauty therapist that you trust and who can advise you or visiting a dermatologist will help both you and your teen find the right solution.