Teenagers know how hard it is to maintain flawless skin. With hormonal surges, you can’t help but experience acne and pimple breakouts. On the surface level, it’s just a natural phenomenon most people go through. On a deeper level, however, it doesn’t really help with boosting your confidence at all.
Everyone knows how important it is for teenagers to build positive self-esteem. It’s the foundation for self-confidence. And with high levels of self-confidence, you can make the right decisions for yourself. It can even help you achieve the career of your dreams!
That’s why it’s never too early to start having a skincare routine. Most people rely on beauty influencers when it comes to skincare routines. While it’s a good start to familiarize yourself, there isn’t a single routine that fits everybody. Luckily, this 2023 guide will help you decide which skincare routine is best for you.
Understanding Different Skin Types
You don’t need to be a cosmetologist or an esthetician to know your skin type. However, this guide will help you if you ever want to become one. It isn’t really that hard to become a licensed cosmetologist. All you need is to follow certain guidelines to become eligible for a cosmetology board exam.
Going to a cosmetology school is a requirement in every state. However, some requirements are different in each state. If you’re living in Texas, you can browse this site to get more information.
Nevertheless, everyone who wants to learn about skincare needs to understand different skin types. This also involves people such as yourself who are looking for a good skincare routine.
Knowing your skin type is important in choosing the best skincare product to use. You might notice your skin tends to get irritated with some products. And some even have long-lasting damage to your skin. This is mainly due to the ingredients included in those products.
To know what skin type you have, consider how your skin looks and feels without make-up. Oily skin gets greasy or glossy. Dry skin tends to feel dry and flaky. And you have a combination of both if your skin is dry in certain areas and oily in others.
Normal Skin
If your skin isn’t too greasy or dry, then you have normal skin. Oiliness and dryness are usually easy to get rid of with this type of skin.
Normal skin types have tiny pores that aren’t clearly noticeable when it comes to pore size. It does not have a lot of shine, and it isn’t usually cracked or flaky. Having this skin type means you have a few small lines and wrinkles. Your skin tone is generally even, with no noticeable blemishes.
If you have normal skin, you should avoid products that make your skin feel too dry. Instead, use products that don’t make your skin feel oily. Such skin types require less maintenance. However, you still need to stick to a regular skincare routine.
Oily Skin
If you are experiencing acne breakouts, this means you have oily skin. Most teenagers tend to have oily skin. This is because of hormonal changes. When your body is undergoing such an event, there will be an increase in the production of androgen. This results in an overproduction of sebum.
Sebum is essential for soft and supple skin. However, too much of this can cause your pores to expand, resulting in pimples and acne.
To address this situation, you can use a mild exfoliator on your skin. Mild exfoliators such as salicylic acid can help you with this. Salicylic acid is a natural exfoliator that gently removes dead skin cells that can clog your pores. Fortunately, you can create your own exfoliant at home.
Dry Skin
There is a feeling of tightness in your skin if you have dry skin. Scaly spots or flaking can also appear. Additionally, you have nearly undetectable pores and are prone to premature wrinkles and skin irritation.
For this skin type, it’s important to moisturize it daily. If your skin’s oil glands don’t produce the right amount of sebum, this causes dryness. With moisturizers, you can replenish your skin’s hydration.
Combination Skin
The most common type of skin is a combination of both oily and dry skin. However, this can be difficult to recognize and treat. If you have combination skin, your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) is frequently glossy. Oil glands in these regions are more active than in other parts of the face.
To deal with both dry and oily regions, you need to have a combination skincare routine. Such regimen should be strong (for exfoliation) and gentle (avoid irritation) at the same time.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin types might have the features of dry, oily, or mixed skin. The difference is that you can experience a lot of redness and irritation.
Normal skin types can have sensitive skin as well, although the two don’t usually overlap. Skin disorders like allergies can create sensitive skin and are prone to inflammation. Because of this, it’s better to avoid harsh chemical-based skincare treatments.
The Best Skincare Routine For Teens
Everyone’s skincare routine is different, depending on their skin type. However, these routines revolve around three basic steps, including:
1) Cleansing
2) Toning
3) Moisturizing
Their names speak for themselves. The only problem is how to do them properly. To help you with this, read more for a step-by-step guide.
1) Cleansing
Washing your face regularly helps in minimizing breakouts. Because of this, it is the most essential step to treating acne in teenagers. An oil-based cleanser can help teens with oily skin to gently remove dirt. And the best part is that it does not take away too many natural oils.
While it seems contradictory, using too many products that dry the skin is harmful to oily skin. Since they remove the natural oil produced by your skin, it will compensate by generating more.
On the other hand, if you have sensitive skin, it’s best to use water-based cleansers. These kinds of cleansers have a high concentration of water, which is safe for acne-prone skin.
To achieve a timeless skincare routine, you should practice double-cleansing. As the name suggests, double cleansing means cleaning your face twice. You’ll be using an oil-based cleanser at first, then a water-based cleanser next. The reason behind this is to remove dirt that might linger even after a thorough cleanse.
Even with sensitive skin, the steps to do a double cleansing are the same for every skin type.
• The first step is to apply a cleansing oil to your skin.
• After that, massage the cleanser using your fingers. You can also use a cotton pad or a soft cloth for this.
• Next, you’ll have to wet yourself with water.
• When you’re done with that, use your hands to massage the second cleanser.
• Lastly, remove the cleanser and gently pat your face to dry.
2) Toning
Did you know that your skin is naturally acidic? So washing it upsets its pH balance, causing it to become dry and flaky. Toner helps to immediately restore the pH balance of your skin. It also prepares it to absorb moisturizer and other skincare products more effectively.
Toners are available in a variety of formulas to treat a variety of skin concerns. These include oil management and hydration.
To use a toner, soak a cotton ball or pad in it and gently wipe it over your face and neck. Those in spray bottles can be sprayed straight on the face. However, you should use your fingers to apply those with a thicker consistency.
3) Moisturizing
Keeping your skin from becoming excessively dry is an important step in preventing acne. To do this, you can use an oil-free moisturizer to finish your skincare routine. This will keep your skin oils under control. Aside from that, a moisturizer can also offer additional nutrients to the skin. However, this depends on the ingredients found in the product.
Furthermore, maintaining moisture levels protects the skin’s natural barrier and helps avoid recurrent breakouts.
To apply moisturizers, you should:
• Immediately apply them right after toning. Your skin is more permeable when it’s wet. Applying moisturizer right after toners will help absorb the ingredients in the products.
• Have a different moisturizer at night. Using only one moisturizer for your daytime and nighttime skincare routine is okay. However, it’s best to use moisturizers with skin-soothing ingredients at night. Since you’re less hydrated at night, night creams can address this problem.
Conclusion
It’s natural to have acne and pimple problems during your teenage years. However, you can address these problems with a simple skincare routine. Knowing your skin type is the first step in choosing the best skincare product.
By doing so, you’ll be preventing any damages to your skin. And, more importantly, you can achieve the flawless skin that you’ve been dreaming of. Just remember that if you have skin conditions, it’s best to consult a dermatologist about this.