How to Have Perfect Skin As a Teen

Co-authored by Kimberly Tan

Last Updated: December 6, 2021

Everyone wants skin that just glows, right? Adult products are usually too expensive or just plain wrong for young skin. So here is a skin care routine that won't blow your budget, but will keep you feeling great!

Steps

1
Drink water. Drinking water clears all the toxins from your skin and prevents it from drying out. Take a water bottle with you to school. Resist the urge to glug soda or juice when you're thirsty. Instead, have a sip of water.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kimberly Tan
Licensed Esthetician
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Not only does this help your skin, it improves your overall health.
2
Eat healthy and exercise. The skin reflects overall health, so if you nourish your body with plenty of exercise and good, healthy food, your skin will look great as well. Try to consume healthy fats, oils, and proteins every day.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Kimberly Tan
Licensed Esthetician
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Make sure to include fruits and vegetables. At lunch, pick up an apple or a banana and opt for a side salad instead of French fries. Try to walk home or take a quick walk around the track. If your parents or a friend drives you home, ask them to drop you off a block or two away from your house so you can walk home. Enlist in a sport.

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3
Cleanse your body. When taking a shower, you want to buy a soap or shower gel that is good for your skin.Unscented soaps are best. Shower gels are best for smooth skin, but there are plenty of bar soaps that work great as well. Follow the directions on the shower gel bottle to wash yourself with shower gel. With soap, put the soap under the water from the shower to get it warmed up. Then rub it between your hands. Rub the soap all over your body and rinse off.
4
After cleansing your body, take a blast of cold water from the shower head for smooth beautiful skin. Only one blast doesn't make you cold, but it makes a big difference.
5
Cleanse your face. Pull your hair back and splash your face with cold water to wake your skin up. Put some cleanser on your fingers and rub it in upwards circular motions around your face. Use a product that is specific for young skin and your skin type. Rinse well by splashing water on your face again, being careful to remove every last bit of cleanser. Pat your face dry with a paper towel, hand towel, or even a bit of toilet paper. DO NOT RUB! Even though using toilet paper on your face sounds disgusting, it's very gentle and doesn't cause irritation on your face.
6
Use a toner. Toners are inexpensive and can be found at your local drugstore. If you can't buy toner, feel free to use a little bit of rice water for a fresh face. A toner will pick up everything in your pores that the cleanser didn't get out (dirt, oil, makeup). It will leave your skin feeling refreshed, smooth, tight and springy. But make sure there's no alcohol in it because that will make your skin more oily and dry!
7
Moisturize! Moisturizing is key. From school to sports, we can lose the moisture in our skin pretty easily. Moisturize after cleansing and toning so your skin stays soft and smooth. Also, moisturize your skin after showers. Try to find a moisturizer with at least SPF 15. Also, a night moisturizer made for after your nighttime wash can help to renew your skin while you sleep. When moisturizing your skin, take an amount the size of a pea
8
Exfoliate twice a week. Buy a scrub, loofah, or just use a wet washcloth. Rub your face and body with the item of your choice during a hot shower. If using a scrub, follow the directions on the package. This gets rid of dead skin and makes your skin glow.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I naturally clear my skin as a teenager?

Kimberly Tan
Licensed Esthetician
Kimberly Tan is the Founder & CEO of Skin Salvation, an acne clinic in San Francisco. She has been a licensed esthetician for over 15 years and is an expert in mainstream, holistic, and medical ideologies in skin care. She has worked directly under Laura Cooksey of Face Reality Acne Clinic and studied in-person with Dr. James E. Fulton, Co-creator of Retin-a and pioneer of acne research. Her business blends skin treatments, effective products, and education in holistic health and sustainability.

Kimberly Tan

Licensed Esthetician

Expert Answer

Be sure to drink a lot of water to help your skin stay hydrated and keep your body healthy.
Question

I'm 14 and I've started having pimples, acne, and skin issues, but my mom thinks I'm too young for products, and also says I'm under internet pressure. What should I do?

Community Answer

There's really no such as thing as being "too young" to use acne prevention products, but assuming you can't convince your mom of that, see if she will buy you a simple face wash and facial moisturizer. Washing and moisturizing your face twice a day will usually make a huge difference when it comes to acne.
Question

How can I get rid of pores and blackheads?

Community Answer

I use a plaster strip for blackheads, and I suggest using a facial cleanser for your pores.

Warnings

Remember to always read the ingredients on a skin care bottle. You may be allergic to something in it.

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If you have dry skin, avoid using toner. Toner absorbs oils in your skin, and applying toner to dry skin will just make your skin more dry.

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Don't blow your bank on things. If you have a big budget, great. But if you don't, drugstore products contain designer ingredients that some of the top skincare lines use. These are just better priced.

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