Staying on Top of the Skincare Game – Useful Tips for Teens
Puberty can be both an exciting and scary phase for teens. On the one hand, you’re on your way to becoming a new person. And on the other hand, the changes in your body can make you feel awkward and uncertain.
These changes can affect different parts of your body, including your skin.
If, for example, you are an aspiring actor or teen model, you would do well to know exactly how to manage such skin changes (and woes). The same can be said for all teenagers, of course; however, being involved in work that capitalizes on a person’s appearance means more pressure to have healthy skin in order to look good.
How puberty affects your skin
One common change that teens can expect is oily skin. Upon reaching adolescence, your body releases hormones which give girls’ and boys’ individual characteristics that differentiate them from one another.
The release of these hormones can also signal your body’s oil or sebaceous glands to produce sebum or oil. Sebum is responsible for making your face and hair oilier than you are usually accustomed to.
As your body produces oil, you may also experience pimple flare-ups. Ideally, the sebum produced by your body should go out through your skin’s pores. But sometimes, the oil does not come out through the skin. Instead, the oil blocks the follicle, along with dead skin cells and hair. This leads to the formation of pimples on your face and other body parts.
Acne, on the other hand, occurs when the bacteria that you can typically find on your skin grows on the follicles that have been plugged.
Know your skin type
In order to choose the right skincare products to use, it is crucial to know what your skin type is.
- Normal skin rarely shines and is usually matte. Although you may experience pimple flare-ups, you are lucky because these rarely occur.
- You have oily skin if you have large pores and pale and shiny skin. The hormonal changes that you experience during puberty cause your body to double up in its production of sebum.
- On the other hand, if you have tiny pores and delicate skin that can be easily affected by the environment and stress, then you have sensitive skin.
- If you have parts of your skin that are normal and oily at the same time, especially in the area around your eyebrows, forehead, nose, and chin, then you have what is called the combination skin type.
Caring for your skin
Keeping pace with these changes in your body can be especially frustrating, whether you are an ordinary student, jock, or aspiring model.
By following these simple skincare tips, you can keep skin problems — from oily skin to pimples — at bay.
1. Cleanse your face, but don’t overdo it
Keep oil, pimples, and blemishes at bay by washing your face twice a day with water and an antibacterial wash. If you have sensitive skin, a gentle hydrating facial cleanser should do the trick.
2. Remove excess oil
Apart from daily washing of your face, you can schedule a once-a-week thorough cleaning. Find a gentle scrub and apply it to your face at least once a week. This will help you contain excess oil and shine while removing dead skin cells. Pay particular attention to your T-zone.
3. Resist the urge to pop your pimples
Popping your zits can be tempting, but doing so will only leave your face vulnerable to infection and scarring.
If you must remove a pimple, the proper way to do it would be to place a handkerchief between the pimple and your fingertips. And then apply gentle pressure on the area. Once you have popped the pimple, make sure to disinfect the affected area with benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin applied using a cotton swab.
4. Make it a habit to wash your hands
On a daily basis, you touch different surfaces, picking up germs and bacteria along the way. At the same time, you may be inadvertently putting these microorganisms on your face as you touch it with your hands. Make it a habit to wash your hands regularly or immediately after contact with contaminated surfaces.
5. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise is not only a great way to keep yourself fit. It also encourages more blood to flow to the skin, which, in turn, can leave it more vibrant-looking.
Coping with changes
Dealing with changes in your body, including your skin, can be frustrating, especially at the start. Keep in mind, though, that it’s all part of growing up.
Whether or not you already are, or still aspire to be a model, developing new hygiene and skincare habits will help you stay on top of these changes and use them well into adulthood.
AUTHOR BIO
Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, the longest running agency specialising in babies, children and teen talent in Australia. Bubblegum Casting works with some of Australia’s biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and Modelling roles.
