It's almost impossible to go through your teens without getting acne. If you're in your teens, there's a big chance you may have a blemish right now. Acne is so common that not only teens get acne, but some adults do as well. But knowing it's very common doesn't make dealing with that giant spot on the tip of your nose any easier to look at or not think about all day.
What is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that can appear as different types of bumps anywhere on our body. These bumps can be whiteheads, blackheads, cysts (if it's really bad), or regular pimples.
The type of acne that most teens get is called
acne vulgaris. This acne normally appears on the face, neck, back, shoulders, and chest.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is a normal part of growing up and going through puberty. During puberty hormone levels start to change which can cause acne on the face and even increase the amount of sweat you produce. The hair follicles, or pores, contain sebum which is the oil that lubricates your hair and skin can get clogged and close up. Pores can become clogged due to too much sebum is being produced and a lot of dead skin. Bacteria can get trapped inside and the start of acne forming begins.
Create a Skincare Routine that works for you
Cleanser
At any age, a simple face wash will help gently clean away any dirt or oil left on the skin. Ingredients such as salicylic acid can help with fighting acne.
If you wear makeup, try using a miceller water as a pre-cleanse to help take off the day.
Exfoliate
Now is a good time to start getting into regularly exfoliating. Exfoliation does not need to be done every day (it can actually do more harm than good), but it should be done 2-3x a week. Exfoliants work by removing any excess dead skin cells that were left, revealing a fresh layer.
Serum
Although our skin is young, it's important to take the environmental protection steps that adults take. Serums can help protect the skin against UV light and pollutants. Vitamin C serums in particular can help brighten the skin after a breakout. It brings out the glow, aiding in collagen production which reduces the appearance of any acne marks that were left behind after a breakout.
Spot Treatment
Even with the preventative steps taken to avoid acne, sometimes they're inevitable. Even when you get those pesky blemishes, DO NOT POP THEM!!!
I REPEAT, DO NOT POP YOUR PIMPLES.
Spot treatments can be a quick trick to getting rid of those blemishes. Treatments can be done at night while you sleep, so by the time you wake up your acne spot will be visibly smaller.
Moisturizer
Moisturizers may seem counter-intuitive to slap on more product when you just took off whatever was there. Using a good moisturizer can help to prevent dry skin or preventing your skin from producing too much oil.
And if you remember from the beginning, acne can be caused due to too much oil being produced.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be worn daily, especially when playing outdoors. Be sure to choose a "Broad Spectrum" sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreen helps protect against sunburn and UVR and UVB rays, the same rays that cause skin cancer.
Becoming a teen doesn't have to be stressful. Always take care of yourself and you'll be just fine.
