Do you have a pre-teen or teenager at home? Have they been struggling with break-outs or “zits”, as we used to call them? As the most common skin condition, acne affects at least 50 million people in the U.S, every year. And 85% of teens and young adults struggle with some sort of acne. Even as women, we aren’t completely out of the woods, since acne also affects 15% of us! I’m going to share with you my favorite acne treatment recommendations, for you and your teen.
As a teenager, I struggled with oily skin. A lot of it had to do with all the oils and gels I used in my hair that got transferred over to my face everyday and night. My oily skin set me up for acne break-outs all the time. I don’t remember ever having a discussion with my pediatrician about my acne when I was younger. My parents and I never really thought of it as a “medical problem”. I kinda just used whatever my mom used, or whatever she bought for me, and dealt with the break outs when they came.
Fast forward to my teenage daughter now. She’s had a history of eczema and dry skin, but cycles back and forth between oily and dry skin on her face. It really seems to depend on the day. Luckily, her mom is a Pediatrician, so I’m able to keep up with the latest acne recommendations. Her Pediatrician (who’s not me!) is also pretty on top of making recommendations for her acne when she comes in for her well visits. She has a pretty good regimen for her sensitive skin, which I’ll share below.
But first….
What is acne?
Bumps or “pimples” that form on the skin – usually on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.
What causes acne?
There is no clear cause for acne. It is thought to be caused by clogged hair follicles under the skin. Hormone changes during puberty may play a role in the development of acne. A lot of people believe that chocolate, greasy foods, or stress cause acne, but this hasn’t really been proven true.
How do you treat acne?
Mild acne can usually be treated by over-the-counter face washes and topical creams. In general, encourage your teen to wash their face every night. This gets rid of all the bacteria and oils that build up throughout the day. After washing, apply a moisturizer (even if your child is prone to oily skin). The moisturizer should be applied both morning at night. If there are any pimples present, use a topical gel on those spots, until they’re cleared.
My top picks:
Cetaphil Dermacontrol
This is by far my favorite acne treatment regimen! Both my daughter and I currently use the Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash and the Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer. We’ve tried a lot of different acne cleansers, moisturizers and topical creams, but they all seemed too harsh for our sensitive skin. The Cetaphil line has been awesome for both of us. I use the cleanser every night, and the moisturizer every morning and night.
Differin (Adapalene 0.1% gel)
This is a prescription-strength acne topical medication, that’s now available over-the-counter. My daughter uses it for her breakouts after she washes her face – and she loves it! We haven’t had any problems with it leaving her face too dry, and it works well! If your teen uses Differin or any of the other “retinoids”, they should stay out of direct sunlight, since it can cause the skin to peel.
Benzoyl Peroxide
This is a popular and effective acne treatment. It’s the main ingredient in a lot of different acne treatments, and comes in the form of a wash, lotion, and gel in different strengths – from 2.25% to 10%. Benzoyl peroxide serves a lot of purposes – cleaning the skin of bacteria, unclogging pores, and healing pimples. The biggest side effect, though, is that it can really dry the skin out. I recommend starting with a 5% wash, just once a day (at the end of the day), then adding the lotion or gel for specific spots on the skin that are still left behind. It helps kill bacteria in the skin, unplug oil ducts, and heal pimples.
If your teen has been using the 5% Benzoyl peroxide for 4-6 weeks without improvement, it can be increased to twice a day, then up to the 10% strength. That is, as long as it isn’t irritating or drying out the skin.
Tea Tree Oil
This all-natural acne remedy can work just as well as 5% benzoyl peroxide. I’ve used it in the past, and have had great results with it. But, it just doesn’t seem to work quite as quickly as the benzoyl peroxide-containing products do.
Other over-the-counter cleansers can also be helpful at treating acne. I recommend choosing cleansers, moisturizers, and topical ointments based on your child’s skin type. Pay attention to the ingredients in the different products you buy for your teen. So many brands use the same ingredients in their products, so don’t waste money buying the same thing, just in a different brand or package.
Prescription Treatments
If your teen has tried just about every over-the-counter acne treatment product and nothing seems to be working, I recommend having a discussion with your pediatrician or a dermatologist. A facial wash, lotion, or gel can be prescribed to help your teen. Some teens may also need antibiotic creams, or antibiotics taken by mouth, to help with their break-outs. This is especially helpful if their skin is really red and inflamed.
Accutane (Isotretinoin)
This is the strongest acne treatment out there for teens and adults. If your teen has severe acne and has failed all other acne treatments, Accutane is their last resort. It works really well, but has significant side effects. This includes causing problems with liver and kidney function, increasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and causing problems in developing babies. So, don’t be surprised if your teen is on Accutance and their dermatologist requires blood work and a pregnancy test every so often.
How do you prevent acne?
Using a face wash on a daily basis is so important for preventing acne. Your teen should wash at least every night, and also after heavy sweating. Encourage your teen to keep their hands off of their face as well. This will prevent bacteria from being spread to their face.
Acne may seem like a minor issue, compared to the other major Medical Concerns in Teens. But, the reality is that it affects more than just their face. Acne can really impact a teen socially and emotionally. Kids can be mean. I’ve known teens who have been bullied because of the uncontrollable break-outs on their face. So whether you have a boy or a girl at home, whether the acne bothers you or not, talk to your teen about it. See if they’d like to have their acne addressed. They may not come right out and tell you, so it’s worth bringing it up. No matter what, remind your teen that they’re beautiful, handsome, gorgeous, etc – no matter what. There’s no need to hide!
If you have a teenager who has been struggling with acne, get your free printable Acne Prevention and Treatment Tips by filling out the box below. It includes 16 tips your teen can use to keep their acne under control. You’ll also get access to my Resource Library with tons of other helpful printables and checklists, plus my weekly newsletter to help you balance your many roles. Check it out!
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