7 Common Skincare Mistakes Teens Make (And How to Fix Them)

Teenage skin can be tricky. With fluctuating hormones, busy schedules, and the pressure of social media perfection, it’s easy to fall into skincare habits that do more harm than good. Whether it’s battling acne or trying to balance sensitive skin, many teens unknowingly make mistakes that could be sabotaging their skincare efforts.

Here are the most common skincare mistakes teens make with their skin—and how to create better habits.

Overwashing the Face

Over-stripping oily skin is one of the biggest mistakes that teens make, which is understandable when you’re desperately trying to find oil balance and reduce breakouts. However, washing too frequently or aggressively can cause an overproduction of oil as your skin attempts to rebalance sebum levels. In addition to excess oil problems you may also end up with more breakouts and sensitive skin.

When looking for a face wash to balance oily teen and blemish prone skin it’s best to stay away from cleansers that contain SLS (sodium laurel sulphate) as this harsh surfactant can strip and irritate the skin. Soap is also a no-go as it can mess with teen skin pH levels and have a drying effect on the skin.

To help effectively cleanse and balance teen skin it’s best to opt for a gentle cleanser that contains naturally derived AHA’s or Salicylic Acid to help clear and manage breakouts without causing irritation. Ensuring your teen cleanser also has skin soothing ingredients such as Aloe and Chamomile will also help help to calm redness and irritation.

We recommend LAMAV’s Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser which you’ll find in our Bro Basics and Balance and Glow Teen Skin Bundles.

Not Patch Testing

Not patch testing is becoming a huge problem as teens are exposed to more products and are now shopping in stores that are really designed for adult skin. Tweens and teens are now exposed to more active ingredients that are often unnecessary along with common irritants such as artificial fragrance. If you’re a teen with skin that hasn’t been exposed to a lot of ingredients or you have asthma or food allergies, you are at higher risk of skin reactions. Patch testing on the forearm before moving to an area of the face away from the mouth and eyes is essential before committing to a full sized product. Trust us - your skin and your bank account will thank you for avoiding a full-face skin reaction and a wasted skincare purchase.

Ditching Moisturiser

We get it - your teen skin is excessively oily and you want to reduce the oil so you cut back on moisturiser (or cut it out completely!). This is a HUGE mistake! Regardless of your skin type - if you are using a cleanser you must use a moisturiser to hydrate, balance and protect the skin. A teen moisturiser is essential for all skin types, and if you have oily skin it’s best to look for a moisturiser that contains lightweight hydrators such as Aloe and Hyaluronic Acid. Skipping moisturiser can lead to dry, irritated skin that may start producing excess oil in an attempt to rehydrate and repair your barrier.

Reach for LAMAV’s Skin Balance Fluid for a lightweight, non-comedogenic daily moisturiser that will brighten and balance oily teen skin. If you’re a tween or have super sensitive skin we recommend the Frank Body Everyday Hydrating Gel Moisturiser as it delivers lightweight hydration without the addition of active ingredients or essential oils that may irritate young, sensitive skin.

Not Cleansing at Night

Cleansing at night isn’t just for removing makeup! If you have applied SPF in the morning or have excessively oily skin, a one minute cleanse before bed followed by a lightweight moisturiser will allow your skin to breathe and rebalance overnight. If you’re a teen who can’t be bothered or a teen boy who doesn’t like the idea of a skincare routine - reach for biobod’s calming balance cleanse bar. It looks like a bar of soap but actually contains no soap at all. And the best part? It’s suitable for the whole family and all skin types!

Using Too Many Products

We get it - your skin is breaking out and you’ll try anything to get a quick fix and all of a sudden you’ve committed to a 10 step skincare routine with multiple active ingredients that are too harsh for your sensitive teen skin! Trying to get that balance right of what works and how many products you actually need can be really frustrating, particularly when social media throws hundreds of trending teen beauty products in our face daily!

If you and your skin are feeling overwhelmed it’s time to go back to basics with a gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturiser and SPF in the AM. These 3 simple steps are the best way to keep teen skin balanced while protecting the barrier from irritation and preventing sun damage.

Squeezing Pimples

When I was a teen I did my fair share of squeezing pimples so I won’t tell you to stop doing this altogether. However, teens can become fixated on their blemishes which sometimes leads to them squeezing pimples well before they are ready. If you must squeeze, it’s important to make sure you have a clear opening so that you don’t damage the skin around the pimple and risk causing infection. Making sure your skin and hands are clean and using a cotton bud or tissue will also help to avoid the spread of bacteria. And once you’ve attempted a squeeze, leave it alone!

Not getting Professional Help

If you’re a teen suffering from persistent acne that’s impacting your self esteem and mental health it’s best to book in with a dermatologist before it’s too late. Whilst oily skin and pimples are common in teen skin, if you have severe acne and leave it untreated it will likely cause long-term scarring on both your skin and your mental health.

A simple skincare routine as our kids enter tween and teen years is as important as brushing their teeth and should become part of their daily hygiene routine. Establishing good habits early on can have a huge impact on the long term health of teen skin - particularly when it comes to SPF and preventing sun damage. Start with a minimal routine that isn’t too overwhelming and focus on cleansing gently, moisturising and protecting your skin from the sun.

Your skin is going through big changes - just like you. Be kind to it.