The Best Skin Care Products for Teens, According to Dermatologists
Finding effective skin care products for teenagers who are dealing with a roller coaster of hormonal changes is no easy feat. Skin care for teens is especially tricky when coping with persistent acne, excess oil, dark spots, blackheads, dryness, and more. Although these changes are normal, chances are teens are still understanding their skin type. To help, we spoke with dermatologists to find teen-friendly products and tips on the superstar ingredients to look for when starting a skin care routine. Spoiler alert: Derms recommend keeping it simple with a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen—and you don't need to follow the Drunk Elephant skin care trend.
Our top picks
- Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin: Bubble Skincare Fresh Start Gel Cleanser, $17
- Best Face Wash for Spot-Prone Skin: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser, $19
- Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator, $15
- Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Glossier After Baume Moisture Barrier Recovery Cream $28
- Best Pimple Patch: Peace Out Skincare Early Stage Acne Dot $19
- Best SPF: Supergoop! Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 $44
- Best Spot Treatment: Differin Resurfacing Scar Gel $23
What are some of the top skin concerns that teenagers face?
Teens face a range of skin changes due to hormonal fluctuations, lifestyle factors, and genetic predispositions. “Your oil or sebum production goes into overdrive during puberty,” Noreen Galaria, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, tells Glamour. “You’re oilier in your teen years than you’ll ever be again, so your skin care routine needs to be updated accordingly.” Excess oil clogs pores, which causes excessive shine, and makes skin appear greasy. It also leads to the most shared skin concern: acne. This includes blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts. Teens are also likely to experience the aftereffects of acne. “This includes scarring and hyperpigmentation,” says Enrico Frezza, founder and CEO of Peace Out Skincare.
At what age should a teenager start a skin care routine?
While there isn’t a universal age to start a skin care routine since everyone’s skin type is different, experts agree that it’s ideal to introduce skin care habits during preteen years (between 9 to 12 years old).
As a preventive measure, Nicole Ruth, DO, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Weiser Skin MD, recommends focusing on the basics: a gentle cleanser labeled for sensitive skin, a weightless moisturizer, and broad-spectrum face sunscreen with an SPF of 30+. A cleansing habit is especially useful if they’re involved in sports or live in hot weather, to avoid sweat clogging pores.
What skin care should 13-to-15-year-olds use?
According to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), girls typically start their menstruation around 12 or 13 years. “During menstruation, hormones fluctuate, and hormonal acne is bound to pop up,” says Dr. Galaria. “A skin care routine for this age group can be as simple as showering daily and washing their face twice a day.” If they’re dealing with breakouts, opt for cleansers that contain acne-fighting ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which will gently exfoliate the skin, oil-free moisturizers, and nongreasy facial sunscreen. A spot treatment like salicylic acid, beta hydroxy acid (BHA) for exfoliating skin, or antibacterial ingredients like benzoyl peroxide can help absorb excess oil and are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. A pimple patch can help protect the skin barrier and prevent more face picking.
If they decide to start wearing makeup, it should be noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog or block pores. It’s also a great time for teens to start paying attention to their lifestyle habits. “I tell my patients about the importance of decreasing sugary and processed foods, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water,” says Dr. Galaria.
What skin care should 16-year-olds and older use?
If a teen has acneic skin or hyperpigmentation, they can incorporate other skin care products to their daily regimen. Add an acne serum with pore-clearing salicylic acid, hydrating niacinamide, and brightening vitamin C to treat dark spots. “For oily skin, try adding a toner, which can gently exfoliate and remove residue,” says Frezza. Also, says Dr. Galaria, “retinoids will regulate oil production, improve cell turnover, decrease inflammation, and prevent scarring. There is no other cream on the planet that can claim this kind of effectiveness.”
At this age, consistency is key. Once you find a skin care routine that works for you, stick with it. You may not see results overnight, but in a couple of months you’re bound to see a difference. As always, consult your doctor if your skin care concerns are persistent and for prescription-strength treatment tailored to your individualized skin type.
Meet the experts
- Noreen Galaria, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Inner Glow
- Nicole Ruth, DO, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist, Weiser Skin MD
- Enrico Frezza, founder and CEO of Peace Out Skincare
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser With 2% Salicylic Acid
1/13CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser with 2% Salicylic Acid
Teen athletes might be prone to clogged pores due to sweaty skin. This gel-to-foam cleanser uses salicylic acid to gently break down leftover sweat and remove dead skin to clear clogged pores. The vegan formula also contains essential ceramides to help restore the skin's natural barrier.
- Product type: Cleanser
- Best for: Acne-prone or oily skin
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinimide
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 8 oz./237 ml
Bubble Skincare Fresh Start Gel Cleanser
2/13Bubble Skincare Fresh Start Gel Cleanser
With more than 1,000 five-star reviews, this beloved gel cleanser is ideal for all skin types. It scrubs away pore-clogging dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural balance. It’s especially helpful for balancing oil production and lessening shine, for a clean, fresh finish.
- Product type: Cleanser
- Best for: All types
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid
- Fragrance free: No
- Size: 4.2 oz./125 ml
Supergoop! 100% Mineral Zincscreen Lotion SPF 40
3/13Supergoop! 100% Mineral Zincscreen Lotion SPF 40
This double-duty, 100% mineral moisturizer provides broad-spectrum protection while delivering lightweight hydration. The silky formula is the perfect match for sensitive skin due to mild ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide, winter cherry, and blueberry.
- Product type: Protection
- Best for: Sensitive or oily skin
- Key ingredients: Zinc oxide
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 1.7 oz./50 ml
Differin Gel Acne Scar Spot Treatment
4/13Differin Gel Acne Scar Spot Treatment
Once you heal your breakouts, you might be dealing with scarring or discoloration. Apply this gel daily to fade post-acne marks and improve the texture of rough-looking skin. It delivers peptides to make skin firmer, promotes surface cell turnover, and hydrates the skin to soften the appearance of imperfections.
- Product type: Treatment
- Best for: Acne-prone skin
- Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, kollaren, seaberry oil
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 1 oz.
Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Zero Breakout Rescue Face Pads
5/13Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Zero Breakout Rescue Face Pads
These blemish-fighting pads are specially formulated for teenage skin care. To target breakouts, each pad is rich in exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid and wasabi extract. It also contains witch hazel, an anti-inflammatory, to help tame oil production and keep acne-causing bacteria at bay.
- Product type: Treatment
- Best for: Acne-prone skin
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, witch hazel
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 60 pads
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel
6/13Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel
Dry skin? Give this water-based gel moisturizer, which delivers intense hydration without clogging pores, a try. If rich creams feel too heavy, this featherlight option will nourish your skin’s moisture barrier without that sticky feeling.
- Product type: Moisturizer
- Best for: Acne-prone or dry skin
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 5 oz.
Guinot AcniLogic Targeted Anti-Blemish Gel
7/13Guinot AcniLogic Targeted Anti-Blemish Gel
Filled with active ingredients that fight breakouts fast, like aloe vera extract and glycolic acid, this spot gel also regulates sebum secretion to tighten up pores and prevent future blemishes. Rub it directly onto your pimples to gently heal any unwanted blemishes.
- Product type: Treatment
- Best for: Acne-prone or Oily skin
- Key ingredients: Glucobio Zn, aloe vera extract
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 30 ml
Byoma Brightening Toner
8/13BYOMA Brightening Toner
Both highly concentrated and brightening, this facial toner works to deeply clean pores and prep skin for the rest of your products. It combines lactic and mandelic acids to gently exfoliate and illuminate your complexion, while getting oily skin under control.
- Product type: Toner
- Best for: Combination or oily skin
- Key ingredients: Lactic and mandelic acids
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 5.07 oz./150 ml
Saturday Skin Intense Hydration Mask
9/13Saturday Skin Intense Hydration Mask
There’s something so satisfying about this cooling sheet mask, which refreshes skin and soothes angry breakouts by using watermelon and aloe extract. It also contains hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture and leave your face extra glowy.
- Product type: Treatment
- Best for: Dry skin
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, noni extract
- Fragrance free: No
- Size: 2-pack
Isle of Paradise Confidently Clear Body Cleansing Wash Lactic & Salicylic Acids
10/13Isle of Paradise Confidently Clear Body Cleansing Wash Lactic & Salicylic Acids
Stubborn pimples below your neck can be difficult to clear up. Add this clarifying body wash, which contains chemical exfoliants, including salicylic, lactic, and mandelic acids, to your shower routine. After a couple of washes, the delicious-smelling soap can help reduce the frequency of breakouts and restores hydration for smoother, softer feeling skin.
- Product type: Cleanser
- Best for: Acne-prone skin
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid
- Fragrance free: No
- Size: 11.15 oz./330 ml
Starface Lift Off Pore Strips
11/13Starface Lift Off Pore Strips
Battle deeply rooted blackheads on your nose, chin, or forehead by using these seriously cute yet effective pore strips. They can help breakup congestion by gently lifting away dirt and oil so your pores and blackhead are clear.
- Product type: Treatment
- Best for: Acne-prone skin
- Key ingredients: Aloe vera, witch hazel
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 8 strips
Apo.Ge Clarfying Milk Cleanse
12/13Apo.Ge Clarfying Milk Cleanse
Ideal for sensitive or dry skin, this hydrating milk cleanser uses gentle ingredients commonly found in baby products that wash away makeup and impurities, calm the skin, and reduce redness. “It contains oat extracts and added lipids to maintain the hydration and pH balance of the skin to cleanse the skin without stripping natural oils and make the skin feel tingly or ‘squeaky-clean,’” says Dr. Galaria.
- Product type: Cleanser
- Best for: Sensitive or dry skin
- Key ingredients: Manuka honey, shea butter, cannabidiol
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 4 oz./120 ml
Peace Out 2% Salicylic Acid Early Stage Acne Dot
13/13Peace Out 2% Salicylic Acid Early Stage Acne Dot
These spot treatment stickers are a great target solution for early-stage pimples. Each dot has hydrocolloid polymer to absorb excess oil from a fresh pimple to reduce pimple size and speed up the healing process.
- Product type: Treatment
- Best for: Acne-prone skin
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, succinic acid
- Fragrance free: Yes
- Size: 8 patches
