Choosing the right skin care range and products for your skin concerns can be a daunting task, never mind when you are a teenager and facing all the difficulties of peer pressure, exam stress, being image conscious and trying to fit in. Ruan Winter from South African skincare brand Vitaderm says that at every stage of our lives, we need to address skin issues and concerns differently.
The world we live in is about instant gratification and wanting perfect skin is no exception. Teens want a quick fix and a quick routine. Teens’ skin can be affected by stress, menstrual cycles, and hormones. Not all teen skin is the same though, some may suffer from oily skin, others just a few isolated breakouts, and there are those teenagers who may experience severe break outs and a visit to a dermatologist may be required.
Winter says that there are a few tips teens can incorporate into their daily lives to help combat their skin concerns. These are:
- The adage of ‘you are what you eat’ rings true when it comes to your skin, as your skin not only reflects your good eating habits but your bad ones too. Try to incorporate fruit and vegetables into your diet and increase your water intake to help flush toxins out of the body.
- Keeping your skin and hands clean helps to stop the spread of bacteria. Before exercising or playing sport, remove makeup so that the pores don’t become blocked with sweat. Cleaning your skin straight after can help to remove any bacteria. Carry a pack of skin cleansing wipes in your gym or sports bag to make this easy and effortless. However, this shouldn’t replace cleaning your skin properly with your daily cleanser as well as incorporating an exfoliator twice a week.
- Teen’s hair and skin can become excessively oily due to the sebum working extra hard because of hormonal changes. This often leads to enlarged pores and breakouts on the forehead, nose, chin, chest and back. Using a salicylic spot treatment will reduce congestion, minimise inflammation and help the skin to heal. Vitaderm’s Salicylic Spot Treatment also includes Vitamin B3 and tea tree. It is an overnight treatment applied sparingly to individual spots and the active ingredients target any open or closed spots. Sunscreen should be applied regardless, but especially if you are using this treatment.
- Using an alcohol-free toner after cleansing helps to prepare the skin to get the most out of your moisturiser. The Vitaderm Antiseptic Toner contains extracts of juniper, cedarwood and tea tree which has healing properties and restores the natural balance of problematic skin while normalising oil production.
- Even if your skin is oily, it is important to still use a moisturiser. Choose a light moisturiser, or a protective one, that will calm the skin and provide protection against the elements.
Winter adds that taking care of your skin is not only about using the right products but doing this consistently. If you find that the products you have chosen are not agreeing with your skin, or addressing your concerns, finding a beauty therapist that you trust and who can advise you or visiting a dermatologist will help you find the right solution.
