Beauty
Teen Skin, Sorted – Skincare Every Teen Needs
Navigating teen skincare can feel like decoding a secret language—one day it’s all about hydration, the next it’s spot control, and let’s not even talk about mystery breakouts that seem to appear overnight.
We’ve handpicked the best cleansers, masks, spot treatments, and moisturisers that actually work—no fads, no overcomplicated routines. Just real skincare heroes that respect young, changing skin.
Plus, we’ve consulted skincare experts for their opinion on what works best.
Start simple: A gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturiser, and occasional spot treatment are plenty to begin with.
Hydration is key: Even oily or acne-prone skin needs moisture to stay balanced.
Be patient: Skincare isn’t magic overnight—it takes consistency and time.
SPF matters: Every. Single. Day. (Even in winter.)
Dr. Laura Geige – cosmetic dermatology and facials specialist, aesthetician with level7 qualification in medical aesthetics, GDC registered dentist, an assessor, clinical trainer.
I’ve seen it all when it comes to teen skin. I see it as a stage where hormones are raging, and skin can feel like it’s constantly betraying you. But I believe clear, healthy skin is within reach. The key is understanding what to do and equally important, what not to do.
I can’t emphasise enough the importance of a consistent, yet gentle, skincare routine. Think of it as a daily ritual and not a chore. Cleanse your face twice a day, morning and night, with a cleanser that’s designed for your skin type. Avoid anything harsh or overly drying. And even if you have oily skin, I still recommend a moisturizer. Choose one that’s oil-free and lightweight as hydration is crucial for healthy skin, regardless of oil production.
Talking about the NO’s, I advocate against aggressively handling your skin. I know it’s tempting but picking at pimples is the worst thing you can do. It introduces bacteria, leads to inflammation, and can leave you with scars that last a lifetime. I’ve seen how the damage is common and prevalent in my years of practice. Another common mistake is over-exfoliating. Teens often think that scrubbing harder will lead to clearer skin, but it actually does the opposite. It irritates the skin and can trigger more breakouts. Once or twice a week with a gentle exfoliator is sufficient. I also warn against products with alcohol or strong fragrances. They can disrupt the skin’s natural balance and cause irritation.
My advice is keep it simple. A consistent routine with gentle products is your best bet. And remember, everyone’s skin is unique. If you’re struggling with persistent acne or other skin concerns, I advise that you see a dermatologist.
Dr Laura can be contacted here
Kristina Baumann, Dermatologist – Peaches and Screams.
I see how challenging it can be to navigate the changes that occur on the skin during teen years. I believe it’s crucial to establish a proper skincare routine that promotes healthy skin and prevents long-term issues.
I recommend that you always cleanse your skin twice daily with a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and excess buildup. Incorporating a mild exfoliant a few times a week can also help with clogged pores. Moisturising is key, even if you have oily skin. I also emphasise that you should never leave the house without sunscreen. The UV damage you avoid today will pay off in your skin’s future.
For the Don’ts, My advice is avoid harsh scrubs or over-cleansing your skin. These can irritate the skin and actually make breakouts worse. Don’t pick at or squeeze blemishes as I believe this can lead to scarring. You should also steer clear of using products that are too strong or aggressive. Teen skin is sensitive, and these overly harsh products can strip it of its natural balance.
Kristina can be contacted here
Ella & Jo - Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm £36
This dreamy balm-to-oil cleanser is perfect for teens just getting into skincare or those dealing with daily build-up from sunscreen, makeup, or pollution. Packed with nourishing ingredients like raspberry seed oil and ceramides, it melts away dirt without stripping the skin, leaving it soft, clean, and calm.
Why we love it:
It’s a skincare routine moment in itself—gentle enough for young, sensitive skin but effective enough to feel like a deep cleanse. Plus, it’s Irish-made, cruelty-free, and smells like a mini spa day. A luxe-feeling treat for everyday use.
Hero Mighty Patch Invisible Spot Patches, Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches £9.99
47 SKin 3 Step Treatment Bundle £74
This powerhouse bundle includes everything a teen needs to tackle breakouts, soothe irritation, and support healthy skin—all in three simple steps. Featuring a gentle cleanser, a pore-tightening serum, and a hydrating gel moisturiser, it’s designed to work in harmony using 47 Skin’s unique Silver Chitoderm™ technology to target blemishes without stripping or stressing the skin.
Why we love it:
It takes the guesswork out of skincare. Each product is formulated to complement the others, making it easy for teens to stick to a routine that actually works. We especially love that it fights spots while staying super gentle and hydrating—perfect for balancing hormonal skin.
Dermalogica clear start breakout clearing kit £29
This bestselling teen-friendly kit from Dermalogica’s Clear Start range is a brilliant introduction to skincare for breakout-prone skin. Designed specifically for younger, oilier complexions, the bundle includes four travel-size essentials: a foaming wash, toner, moisturiser, and breakout treatment—all packed with gentle yet effective ingredients to cleanse, calm, and clear.
Why we love it:
Takes the stress out of starting a routine, with everything needed to build healthy habits and tackle spots without harshness. We love that it’s dermatologist-developed, cruelty-free, and uses powerhouse ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, and tea tree oil—perfect for managing blemishes without stripping the skin.
Brighten & Glow Hydrating Exfoliating Cleanser £30
If your skin’s feeling a little dull, this cleanser is your new BFF. It is gentle, glow-boosting, and perfect for teens who want fresh, healthy skin without all the fuss. Packed with natural goodies, it cleanses, exfoliates, and even doubles as a quick face mask — no need for a million products.
Why We Love It:
3-in-1 Magic: It’s a cleanser, exfoliator and a face mask. Use it daily or leave it on for 10 minutes when your skin needs a little TLC.
Glow Up Guaranteed: Pumpkin enzymes help buff away dead skin, while grapeseed and avocado oils hydrate and soften.
Kind to Skin: Super gentle, no harsh ingredients, and totally teen-friendly — plus it’s vegan and cruelty-free.
Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier £14.95
Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier protects skin from pollutants and impurities, prevents breakouts and promotes rapid recovery.
Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier, is a breakthrough in skincare. Designed to protect and purify it uses advanced hypochlorous technology, it combats environmental pollutants that cause breakouts, and irritation. The formula works to calm redness, promote rapid skin recovery, and deliver visible results for both face and body.
Gentle yet effective, it has a skin-neutral pH and offers antimicrobial protection without causing irritation or sensitivity, making it suitable for even the most delicate skin.
Silicol®skin Colloidal silica gel £9.79
This clear, cooling gel works wonders for calming breakouts, soothing redness, and balancing oily or blemish-prone skin. It uses natural colloidal silica to bind and remove impurities from the surface of the skin—making it ideal for teens dealing with spot flare-ups or congested pores.
Why we love it:
It is a gentle yet effective alternative to harsher spot treatments—perfect for sensitive skin types. We love how it doubles as a quick skin reset or targeted treatment, and it’s fragrance-free, non-irritating, and dermatologically tested.
Paula's Choice Breakout-Fighting Bestsellers
This expert-approved duo from Paula’s Choice is a go-to for tackling teen breakouts without overwhelming the skin. The set includes two of the brand’s cult favourites: the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and the Clear Cleanser—a dream team for unclogging pores, reducing blackheads, and calming angry flare-ups.
Why we love it:
This mini kit packs a powerful punch. The 2% BHA (salicylic acid) gently exfoliates inside the pores—making it ideal for blackhead-prone areas—while the cleanser is ultra-mild and effective, keeping skin clean without leaving it dry or tight. It’s a great introduction to targeted treatments and works brilliantly as part of a simple, effective routine.
Starface skincare duo £22.08
This power pair is perfect for when your skin needs a little extra love—think fewer breakouts, less dryness, and way more glow. Use them together for a simple, effective routine that clears, hydrates, and soothes.
Star Wash + Salicylic Acid is a dreamy cleanser with pore-clearing salicylic acid, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and soothing glycerin. It removes excess oil, unclogs pores, and features a shimmer that vanishes with water—mica-based and microplastic-free.
Star Cream + Salicylic Acid is a lightweight moisturiser powered by salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to fight blemishes and lock in hydration. It melts into skin like a cloud, leaving behind a fresh, dewy finish.
Oy Clear Skin Blemish Concealer £17
This natural, mineral-based concealer is specifically formulated for teen skin, offering both coverage and care. Infused with over 90% certified organic ingredients, it not only masks blemishes but also helps to treat them.
Tea Tree Leaf Extract: Known for its antibacterial properties, it helps combat acne-causing bacteria. Bentonite Clay: Draws out impurities and reduces excess oil. Witch Hazel: Soothes inflammation and tightens pores. Green Tea & Pineapple Extracts: Provide antioxidant benefits and promote skin clarity.
Why We Love It:
This concealer is a multitasker—perfect for teens who want to cover up blemishes while also treating them. Its creamy texture blends seamlessly into fair to medium skin tones, providing a natural finish without clogging pores. Plus, it’s free from harsh chemicals, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
C-50 Blemish Night Treatment £10
This overnight gel is designed to combat breakouts while you sleep, making it an excellent addition to a teen’s skincare routine. Formulated with a blend of active ingredients, it targets blemishes, unclogs pores, and reduces redness.
Why We Love It:
This treatment simplifies nighttime skincare by acting as both a moisturizer and a blemish-fighting agent. Its lightweight, fragrance-free formula is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, helping to reduce breakouts without over-drying.
Origins Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel £18
This cult-favourite spot treatment is loved by teens. It tackles unexpected breakouts. Formulated with salicylic acid, it targets blemishes directly, helping to unclog pores and reduce excess oil. The clear gel is ideal for daytime use, as it dries invisibly on the skin.
Salicylic Acid Penetrates pores to exfoliate and clear out debris. Witch Hazel & Cucumber Extracts soothe and calm irritated skin, Saw Palmetto helps reduce excess oil production and Apple & Cucumber Extracts provide antioxidant benefits and promote skin clarity.
Why We Love It:
Fast-acting, with visible improvements overnight. The formula is free from parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
Bubble Level Up Balancing Gel Moisturiser £16
This daily gel moisturiser is your go-to for skin that feels fresh, smooth, and totally balanced. It’s super lightweight (so no greasy vibes!) and gives your skin just the right amount of hydration — perfect for keeping shine under control without drying you out.
Why We Love It:
Zinc PCA + Niacinamide help even out texture and give your skin a healthy glow, not a greasy one. Yarrow Extract helps calm your skin while locking in moisture. Packed with a smart superfood blend that helps protect your skin from blue light (aka all that time on your phone and laptop).
Use it morning and night for happy, balanced skin that feels as good as it looks.
Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel for Blemish-Prone skin £14.70
Breakouts? Oily skin? This gentle gel cleanser is here to save the day (and your skin). Made for blemish-prone teens, it clears away dirt, oil, and gunk without being harsh — no soap, no tight, dry feeling, just super-fresh skin.
Why We Love It:
Helps unclog pores and reduce oil to keep spots under control. Calms redness and irritation with Avène’s iconic thermal spring water. Keeps your skin’s pH happy and healthy — no stripping or over-drying.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner £7.70
This viral Toner has already gained cult status so if you’re a little shy of trying an acid, The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner (240ml) is a great place to start.
Starring its namesake, glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), this water-based toning solution is your new go-to for effective yet mild exfoliation. It’s infused with a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative to help reduce redness, alongside hydrating ginseng and soothing aloe vera. The results? Refined and improved texture and tone, a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and our favourite: a luminous complexion.
My Clarins PURE-RESET Resurfacing Blemish Serum £30
This gentle serum is like a reset button for your skin — perfect when breakouts, oiliness, and uneven texture show up uninvited. It works quietly overnight to smooth, clear, and calm, leaving your skin fresh and more balanced by morning.
Why We Love It:
Targets blemishes and redness without being too harsh or drying. Helps even out bumpy texture and gives your skin a natural, healthy glow. Packed with fruit and plant extracts to keep things clean, kind, and teen-skin friendly.
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid £26
Created to prevent blackheads and blemishes from rearing their unwelcome heads, CosRx’s BHA Blackhead Powder Liquid is brimming with pore-purifying willow bark water, to combat congestion and keep your skin beautifully clear, calm and contented.
Say goodbye to stubborn blackheads and hello to clearer, smoother skin! This powerful (but gentle!) liquid helps unclog pores and keeps breakouts under control, especially around the nose, chin, and cheeks where spots love to hang out.
Why We Love It:
BHA (a type of exfoliating acid) dives deep into your pores to clear out oil and dirt — perfect for tackling blackheads. Helps prevent future breakouts and keeps skin looking smooth and fresh. Niacinamide brightens dark spots and evens out skin tone for a healthy, balanced glow.
Vinopure Anti-blemish Trio £34
Dealing with breakouts, oily patches, or clogged pores? This gentle, 3-step skincare set from Caudalie is designed to target all the things teen skin goes through — and it does it using natural, plant-powered ingredients. Plus, it smells super fresh and feels amazing on the skin.
Why We Love It:
The set includes a gel cleanser, a purifying toner, and a lightweight serum — all designed to work together to keep spots under control. Each product is packed with natural salicylic acid from plants, grape water to soothe, and essential oils to purify without drying. No harsh chemicals or alcohol, just glow-boosting formulas that leave skin clear, fresh, and balanced. Vegan, cruelty-free, and made without nasties — ideal for young, sensitive skin.
This is a fab intro to skincare for teens who want to start a proper routine that actually works.
Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip Serum £25
Supercharge a skincare routine with Youth To The People Superfood Skin Drip™ Serum, a multi-benefit serum that delivers a healthy-looking glow. This lightweight, milky formula strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, leaving it feeling smooth.
Packed with nourishing ingredients, this niacinamide serum features 5% niacinamide, known to brighten uneven skin tone, and hyaluronic acid spheres for deep hydration. The superfood blend with kale extract and broccoli seed oil provides a rich source of vitamins and nutrients to support the skin barrier.
ren Breakout & Pores Duo £40
This dream team is all about keeping teen skin calm, clean, and totally under control. The gentle clay cleanser and leave-on exfoliator work together to fight breakouts, reduce shine, and keep your skin smooth and fresh — without drying it out.
Why We Love It: Step 1: The Cleanser
A creamy face wash with kaolin clay and willow bark that soaks up extra oil, clears out dirt and pollution, and gently removes dead skin. No tight, squeaky feeling — just soft, matte, happy skin.
Step 2: The Exfoliator This isn’t your typical scrub. It’s a leave-on liquid exfoliator with lactic acid (AHA) and willow bark (BHA) that helps prevent spots by clearing dead skin and unclogging pores. It also brightens dull areas and smooths out texture — win!
Teenage Skincare Gift Set £25
Want that fresh, glowy skin look without stressing your skin out? This routine is made just for teens — especially if you’ve got sensitive or oily skin. It’s packed with gentle but powerful ingredients to help you glow now and protect your skin for later.
Why We Love It:
This brightening superhero helps even out skin tone, fights dullness, and protects against pollution and other skin stressors. The hydrocolloid spot patches are perfect for those surprise breakouts. Pop one on overnight and watch that pimple calm down in 1–2 days. No harsh stuff! Just a smart mix of science and nature that’s designed to be kind to under-18 skin.
A great starter routine if you’re just getting into skincare and want real results without the fuss.
Sun Squad Sensitive Skin SPF30 For Face £25
Looking for sun protection that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts? This 99% natural, 100% mineral sunscreen is perfect for teen and tween skin — gentle, glow-giving, and totally safe for sensitive faces.
Why We Love It: Non-nano zinc oxide protects your skin from UVA & UVB rays without blocking pores or causing spots. Packed with skin-loving Aloe Vera, Jojoba, and Green Tea to calm and moisturise while you stay sun-safe. Even though it’s a mineral sunscreen, it blends in beautifully — no white cast, just a natural dewy finish. It’s reef-safe, vegan, fragrance-free, and comes in a cool BPA-free aluminium tube (great for travel or your school bag).
Water-resistant and ready for all your sunny adventures, from the park to the pool.
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