September 25, 2026
A simple skincare routine for teens
What a teen skincare routine needs: a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen, which products to skip, how to handle acne, and when to see a dermatologist.
By Nick, Founder of Skinli. Not a doctor. General education only.
Part of the Skincare routine, which puts every step in order.
A teen's skin needs a short routine. The core is three products: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. This guide covers what a teen routine should include, which popular products to skip, how to handle acne when it starts, and when to see a dermatologist. It follows the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), NIAMS (part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health), the NHS and a 2025 study of teen routines online. It belongs to the guide to starting a skincare routine.
The routine: three steps
In a 2025 news release, AAD dermatologist Marisa Garshick recommended that tweens start with a simple routine: wash the face with a gentle cleanser, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer, and wear a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. Her advice to parents was to choose age-appropriate products and stick with gentle cleansers, lightweight moisturizers and broad spectrum sunscreen.
| Time | Step | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 1 | Gentle cleanser |
| Morning | 2 | Fragrance-free, lightweight moisturizer |
| Morning | 3 | Broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, water resistant |
| Night | 1 | Gentle cleanser |
| Night | 2 | Fragrance-free, lightweight moisturizer |
She explained the reasons for each step. A gentle, non-abrasive cleanser matters because harsh cleansing or scrubbing can irritate the skin. Moisturizing helps relieve dryness and itchiness. Fragrance-free products are best because added scents can trigger irritation or allergic reactions.
She also said that kids who learn to wash their face, moisturize and wear sunscreen every day are already ahead.
How often to wash
The AAD's face washing advice is to limit washing to twice a day and after sweating, using lukewarm water and your fingertips. Scrubbing irritates the skin, and the AAD says washing several times a day can irritate the skin and lead to more breakouts.
For some teens, once a day is enough. Dr. Garshick said that while some people wash twice a day, for those with dry or sensitive skin, washing once a day in the evening may be enough. Sunscreen still goes on every morning.
After sports or a sweaty day, wash as soon as you can. The AAD advises washing after sweating heavily, especially under a hat or helmet.
What changes in the teen years
Skin changes with puberty. NIAMS says that hormones called androgens rise in both boys and girls during puberty, making the oil glands in the skin grow and make more oil. Dr. Garshick said the same in plain terms: as tweens become teenagers, hormonal changes often increase oil production, which can lead to blackheads, breakouts and oily skin.
NIAMS says acne is most common in teens and young adults. When acne starts, the routine can grow by one step.
Adding an acne treatment
Dr. Garshick said that for teens with acne, it may help to add ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, while still keeping the skin hydrated and using sun protection daily. She added that both can cause dry skin and irritation, which is why a gentle moisturizer every day matters.
The NHS gives similar advice for acne: wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser, remove makeup at the end of the day, use products labeled non-comedogenic (which means they will not clog pores), and try acne treatments such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. It also says not to pick or squeeze spots, because this can cause scars.
A few rules make an acne treatment work:
- Add one product at a time. Dr. Garshick advises introducing one new product at a time to make sure the skin can tolerate it.
- Spread it over the whole area. The AAD says to apply a thin layer over all the skin that tends to break out, and treating only the spots you can see misses new ones forming.
- Give it time. The AAD says to use an acne product for 6 to 8 weeks before judging it, and that complete clearing generally takes 3 to 4 months.
- Use it. The AAD's advice to parents is direct: for treatment to work, the teen must use it.
How to start an acne routine with three products walks through a beginner acne routine step by step, and Skinli's skincare routine builder builds a morning and night acne routine from a few questions, with no photo needed.
Products teens can skip
Dr. Garshick advised tweens and teens to avoid products with active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids. These products target wrinkles, sun damage and uneven skin tone, which she said are issues children don't have. She explained that children's skin is still developing and is thinner, more sensitive and more prone to irritation than adult skin, so these ingredients can cause redness, burning or peeling and give no benefit.
The FDA also advises avoiding beta hydroxy acid cosmetics on infants and children. The most common beta hydroxy acid in cosmetics is salicylic acid.
There is one exception for acne. Dr. Garshick said a dermatologist may recommend a retinoid or salicylic acid for a teen or tween in some cases, after first seeing them. Retinoids for teens explains which retinoids are sold for acne and at what age.
What the online routines get wrong
A 2025 study in the journal Pediatrics looked at what young people see online. Researchers created TikTok accounts registered as 13 years old and reviewed 100 videos of skin care routines by creators aged 7 to 18. They found:
- an average of 6 products per routine, costing an average of $168
- sunscreen in 26.2% of videos
- an average of 11, and up to 21, ingredients that can irritate the skin in the 25 most viewed videos
The researchers concluded these routines are costly, rarely include sunscreen, often expose young skin to irritation, allergic reactions and sun sensitivity, and offer little to no benefit for the young people they target.
Dr. Garshick's advice points the same way. She said skincare does not have to be complicated to be effective, and that a product that looks fun or costs more is no better for the skin for that reason. In her words, consistency matters more than a 10-step routine.
Makeup, hair and sports gear
A few everyday habits outside the routine matter for teen skin too.
- Makeup. The AAD says to remove makeup before bed with no exceptions, because even non-comedogenic makeup can cause acne if you sleep in it. It also advises against sharing makeup, brushes or applicators, because bacteria, oil and dead skin cells from another person's skin can end up in your makeup.
- Hair. The AAD says oil from your hair can cause acne on your forehead. If your hair is oily, it suggests shampooing more often and keeping hair away from your face.
- Helmets, straps and tight clothes. NIAMS lists pressure from sports helmets, tight clothes and backpacks among the things that may make acne worse. Washing after sweating helps, as the AAD advises.
Testing new products
Test each new product before using it on the whole face. The AAD's method is to apply it twice a day for seven to 10 days to a small spot, such as the bend of the elbow. If no redness, itching or swelling appears, the product can be used. How to patch test a new skincare product explains each step.
When to see a dermatologist
Dr. Garshick said teens with acne should see a dermatologist if breakouts are leaving dark marks or scars, or if the acne has not improved after a few months of over-the-counter treatment. She also advised seeing one if the skin reacts to over-the-counter products.
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if acne has not improved with self-treatment, if there are lots of spots or deep, painful spots, if spots are causing scars, or if acne is affecting mental health.
Acne can affect how a teen feels. The AAD says that telling a teen acne will clear on its own may do more harm than good, and that treating acne can stop it from getting worse and leaving permanent scars. It lists signs of depression for parents to watch for:
- sadness that lasts two weeks or longer
- loss of interest in activities the teen once enjoyed
- avoiding social activities, even with friends their own age
If you see these signs, talk with a doctor. The AAD says that, with today's treatments, nearly every case of acne can be treated. The complete acne skincare routine explains when an over-the-counter routine is enough and when a doctor's treatment is the next step.
Frequently asked questions
What should a teen skincare routine be?
A teen skincare routine should be three steps: wash with a gentle cleanser, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer, and wear a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day. An American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist recommended this routine in 2025. If acne appears, she said it may help to add salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, while still moisturizing and using sun protection daily.
What skincare products should a teenager use?
A teenager should use a gentle cleanser, a lightweight moisturizer and a broad spectrum sunscreen. An American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist told parents in 2025 to choose age-appropriate products and stick with gentle cleansers, lightweight moisturizers and broad spectrum sunscreen. For acne, she said salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may help. She advised skipping retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids unless a dermatologist recommends one.
Do teenagers need skincare?
Teenagers need a short, simple skincare routine. An American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist says that as tweens become teens, hormonal changes often increase oil production, which can lead to blackheads, breakouts and oily skin. NIAMS, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, says acne is most common in teens and young adults. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer and daily sunscreen cover the basics.
Should a 13 year old have a skincare routine?
A 13 year old can have a simple skincare routine of three steps. An American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist recommends that tweens start with a gentle cleanser, a fragrance-free moisturizer and a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day. She says kids who learn to wash their face, moisturize and wear sunscreen every day are already ahead.
Is skincare bad for teens?
Simple skincare is good for teens, while some adult products can harm young skin. An American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist says children's skin is thinner, more sensitive and more prone to irritation than adult skin, and that active ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids can cause redness, burning or peeling with no benefit. A 2025 study found TikTok routines by young creators full of irritating ingredients.
Can a teenager use serum?
A teenager's routine works without a serum. An American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist advises tweens and teens to avoid products with retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids, which are common serum ingredients, because they target concerns such as wrinkles and sun damage that children do not have. For acne, a dermatologist may recommend a retinoid or salicylic acid after seeing the teen.
What skincare is safe for teens?
Safe skincare for teens is gentle and short: a mild cleanser, a fragrance-free moisturizer and a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. An American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist says fragrance-free products are best because added scents can cause irritation or allergic reactions. She advises adding one new product at a time. The FDA advises against using beta hydroxy acid cosmetics on children.
When should teens start skincare?
Teens can start simple skincare as soon as they are interested, and tweens can too. An American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist says tweens benefit from learning the basics of cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection. As hormones change in the teen years, oil and acne often increase, and she says acne ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may then help.
Why is skincare important for teens?
Skincare is important for teens because the teen years are when acne is most common and when sun habits form. NIAMS says acne is most common in teens and young adults. The American Academy of Dermatology says treating acne early can stop it from getting worse and leaving permanent scars. Daily sunscreen, which the AAD recommends for everyone, is a habit worth starting young.
Should teens wash their face twice a day?
Most teens should wash their face twice a day and after sweating, with a gentle cleanser. The American Academy of Dermatology says to limit washing to twice a day and after sweating, and warns that washing more often can irritate the skin. An AAD dermatologist adds that for dry or sensitive skin, washing once a day in the evening may be enough. Scrubbing irritates the skin.
When should a teen see a dermatologist for acne?
A teen should see a dermatologist if acne leaves dark marks or scars, or has not improved after a few months of over-the-counter treatment, an American Academy of Dermatology dermatologist says. The NHS adds deep or painful spots and acne that affects mental health. The AAD lists signs of depression to watch for, such as sadness that lasts two weeks or longer.
Sources
- A dermatologist's guide to skincare from growing up to glowing up (American Academy of Dermatology, news release)
- 5 ways to help your teenager survive acne (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Acne (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH))
- Acne (NHS)
- Face washing 101 (American Academy of Dermatology)
- 10 skin care habits that can worsen acne (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Acne: Tips for managing (6 skin care habits that can clear acne) (American Academy of Dermatology)
- 10 skin care secrets for healthier-looking skin (American Academy of Dermatology)
- How to test skin care products (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Beta Hydroxy Acids (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- Pediatric Skin Care Regimens on TikTok (Pediatrics, PubMed record)
- Moisturizer: Why you may need it if you have acne (American Academy of Dermatology)
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