Finding the best skincare routine for teens and tweens is twofold. Not only does it need to be safe for young skin and be effective at addressing the skin concerns that accompany the hormonal changes associated with the adolescent years, it also has to scratch the brain itch that makes the likes of Drunk Elephant, Sunday Riley, and Summer Fridays so desirable to TikTok teens and tweens. That means said skincare product also needs to look good (read: fun, funky, colourful) to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Unfortunately for dermatologists—not to mention parents’ wallets—CeraVe doesn’t seem to satisfy that desire in the same way its colourful contemporaries do.
While skincare may have originally appealed to teens and tweens because of its colourful packaging and interesting textures—the application of a serum or foaming face mask perhaps representing the modern day equivalent of making mud pies or conducting a ‘science experiment’ involving dropping a mentos into a litre of diet coke—there’s no denying the influence of social media on children’s and teenagers’ perceptions of their self-image as well as their overall attitudes towards ageing. As a result, there’s an increasing number of teens and tweens seeking out active ingredients like retinol and exfoliating acids to target the fine lines, wrinkles, and visible pores they simply don’t have, not to mention children still in the single-digit ages expressing fears over “ageing like milk.”
That said, teens and tweens can benefit from a skincare routine — it just needs to be one that’s suitable for young skin.
Our guide makes it easy to develop a good skincare routine for the teens or tweens in your life, whether it be a son, daughter, niece, nephew, or even yourself (hi!). To keep things simple, we’ve broken this guide down into the best skincare routine for teens and tweens, the best skincare brands (and their teen- and tween-safe products) to try, and also found some teen- and tween-friendly products from certified #iconic brands like Drunk Elephant and Summer Fridays.
What’s the best skincare routine for teens and tweens?
Our skin is constantly in flux, with its needs changing as we grow older. That means that tweens and teenagers will likely have different skincare needs. However, there are a few skincare products that are helpful for everyone from tweens to older teenagers. Here’s the best basic skincare routine for teenagers and tweens.
- Cleanser: washing your face is the basis of a good skincare routine — but you shouldn’t just use any old soap! Look for a gentle cleanser free from harsh ingredients that strip the skin of its natural oils. Tweens and teens without acne should stick to gentle cleansers specifically designed for young skin or ones that are suitable for dry or sensitive skin. Teenagers with acne can use a cleanser with salicylic acid, which helps unclog pores and regulate oil production.
- Moisturiser: choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic (a fancy word that means it won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts!) moisturiser that feels comfortable to wear day and night. Moisturiser should be applied after cleansing and helps the skin feel hydrated and comfortable.
- Sunscreen: one of the most (if not the most) important skincare steps is sunscreen. Sunscreen protects the skin from sun damage and helps prevent skin cancer. Even if you don’t look sunburnt, ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure adds up over time and contributes to visible ageing and increases your chance of developing skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it every morning, even on cloudy or overcast days (the sun is still lurking in the background!). Tweens and teens tend to like lightweight sunscreens that sink into the skin quickly and don’t feel heavy or sticky.
A basic three-step skincare routine of cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen is suitable for tweens and most teenagers. However, hormonal changes may cause some teens to experience acne or even dry skin. If this is the case, it can be helpful to add in the following optional skincare products.
- Cleanser for acne: if you have oily or acne-prone skin, using a cleanser with salicylic acid can help keep this in check. We’d recommend using a cleanser for acne in the morning and a gentle cleanser free from active ingredients at night to prevent over-exfoliating the skin.
- Hydrating serum: a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can be helpful for keeping your skin hydrated and supple. A hydrating serum should be used after cleansing and before applying your moisturiser.
- Spot treatment: teens with pimples or breakouts may wish to use a spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, or simply cover these with a pimple patch to prevent picking at them. For severe or persistent acne, we’d recommend consulting a dermatologist.
The best skincare brands for teens and tweens
1. Bubble
Effective yet gentle on the skin, Bubble’s products are formulated in collaboration with dermatologists and focus on skin nourishment and hydration. The curvilinear bottle shapes and colourful packaging make for shelf-worthy skincare that’s safe for young skin. The entire Bubble range is suitable for teenagers, with most products safe for tweens. We’d recommend the Fresh Start Gel Cleanser, Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturiser, and Solar Mate SPF40 Mineral Sunscreen. The Moon Walk Gentle Exfoliating Serum Can be used once or twice a week by teens dealing with congested skin.
Suitable for tweens: Tell All Lip Balm, Fresh Start Gel Cleanser, Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturiser, Solar Mate SPF40 Mineral Sunscreen, Soft Launch Hydrating Cream Cleanser
Suitable for teens: Water Slide Hydration Serum, Moon Walk Gentle Exfoliating Serum, First Class Oil Cleanser, Level Up Balancing Gel Moisturiser, Cloud Surf Water Cream Moisturiser, Bounce Back Balancing Toner Mist, Float On Soothing Facial Oil
2. Essano Happy Skin
A gentle, microbiome-focused line from New Zealand skincare brand Essano, Happy Skin is dermatologically approved and has several products that are suitable for tweens and teens. We particularly like the fun texture of the Makeup Melt Milky Oil Cleanser for teens starting to experiment with makeup, while the Prep & Balance Nutrient Toner Mist is fun to apply and safe for young skin. The Reset & Rescue Booster is also a gentler alternative to salicylic acid for teens experiencing acne and congestion. The bold, colourful packaging is also very TikTok friendly.
Suitable for tweens: Clean Canvas Jelly Cleanser, Bounce Water Day Cream
Suitable for teens: S.O.S Pimple Patches, Cocoon Rich Night Cream, Makeup Melt Milky Oil Cleanser, Reset & Rescue Booster
3. Allkinds
A skincare brand specifically created for kids and teenagers, Allkinds sees safe and gentle yet effective vegan-friendly formulas dressed in cute packaging. The Daily Screen SPF 50 Whipped Sunscreen Foam makes sunscreen application fun (even the adults love it, tbh), while the Daily Screen SPF 50+ Face Sunscreen Serum is an ultra-lightweight formula that even the fussiest teens and tweens will want to wear. Almost all of Allkinds’ products are safe to use for tweens, with the exception of the ‘Skin Savers’ range, which is more geared towards teens (those with acne will enjoy the Spot Doctor Pimple Gel). The Whipped Shower Foam and Whipped Body Lotion (anything whipped is great in our book) some in a plethora of delectable scents and are also worth trying.
Suitable for tweens: Gentle Care Everyday Cleanser, Classic Care Everyday Cleanser, Gentle Care Everyday Moisturiser, Classic Care Everyday Moisturiser, Daily Screen SPF 50+ Face Sunscreen Serum, Daily Screen SPF 50+ Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion
Suitable for teens: Spot Doctor Pimple Gel, Clearing Care Everyday Cleanser, Clearing Care Everyday Moisturiser
4. Go-To Skincare
This peachy pink brand is technically geared towards adults, however there are a few great teen- and tween-friendly Go-To Skincare products. Tweens should stick to soothing products like the Juice Gentle Gel Cleanser, Very Useful Face Cream, and Nifty Fifty Sunscreens (there are three kinds — hydrating, mineral, and fluid!), while teens can also try The Removalist (a clay mask that helps with acne), Clarifying Exfoliator, and Face Hero (a delightfully scented face oil).
Suitable for tweens: Juice Gentle Gel Cleanser, Very Useful Face Cream, Juice Gentle Gel Cleanser, Very Useful Face Cream, and Nifty Fifty, Nifty Fifty Mineral, Nifty Fifty Fluid
Suitable for teens: Clarifying Exfoliator, Face Hero, Properly Clean Cleanser, The Removalist
5. Mecca Max
Budget-friendly skincare brand Mecca Max has several products suitable for teens and tweens — and some makeup too. The Screen Saver SPF30 Sunscreen is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and doesn’t stress out acne-prone skin. The Foam-O Gentle Gel Cleanser and Thirst Impression Hydrating Moisturiser work well for kids and teenagers, while the Watercooler Calming Hydration Serum is one of the best soothing and hydrating serums for teenage skin. Teens with acne will also enjoy the Clean Sweep Exfoliating & Brightening Toner and the Break-Up Blemish Busting Serum. If you’ve got a teen who’s just getting into makeup, we’d also recommend checking out Mecca Max’s Glaze Phase Lip Oil, Off Duty Liquid Blush, and eyeshadow quads.
Suitable for tweens: Screen Saver SPF30, Foam-O Gentle Gel Cleanser, Thirst Impression Hydrating Moisturiser
Suitable for teens: Watercooler Calming Hydration Serum, Clean Sweep Exfoliating & Brightening Toner, Break-Up Blemish Busting Serum, Daily Drop Lightweight Face Oil, Spot Dots Blemish Busting Patches, Spot Dots Microtip Targeted Blemish Busting Patches
6. CeraVe
For tweens and teens who are less swayed by pretty packaging and simply want a solid skincare routine, CeraVe has some bangers. Both tweens and teens will do well to use the Hydrating Cleanser and Moisturising Lotion (this works well for both face and body), while acne-prone teens can also try the Blemish Control Cleanser. CeraVe also has an SPF moisturiser, however we find this a bit thick and greasy, so we’d recommend opting for one of the other recommendations on this list, like Mecca Max or Go-To.
Suitable for tweens: Hydrating Cleanser, Moisturising Lotion
Suitable for teens: Blemish Control Cleanser
7. Evereden
This skincare brand is unique in that it’s designed to be safe for babies, kids, and pregnant women. Evereden recently received a glow up in the packaging department, with dedicated branding for its kids and teens categories (the kids range is adorned with a cute little emoji-like character, while the teen range is dressed in neon hues and features a futuristic font). Our favourite Evereden products for teens include the Kids SPF 50 Premium Mineral Sunscreen, Kids Cloud Face Wash, and Kids Tinted Lip Oil (we like this for ourselves, tbh), and the Super Rich Face Stick. A few products—the Balance Up Clarifying Toner Pads, Let’s Bounce Gel-Cream Moisturiser, and Steer Clear Balancing Cleanser—are designed for the over-12s and contain acne-fighting ingredients like white willow bark and mandelic acid.
Suitable for tweens: Kids Multi-Vitamin Face Cream, Kids Multi-Vitamin Face Wash, Kids Protective Mineral Face Cream SPF20, Kids Cloud Face Wash, Kids Tinted Lip Oil, Kids SPF 50 Premium Mineral Sunscreen, Kids Fantasy Face Crayon, Super Rich Face Stick
Suitable for teens: Balance Up Clarifying Toner Pads, Let’s Bounce Gel-Cream Moisturiser, Steer Clear Balancing Cleanser, Super Rich Lip Oil
Related: A Beauty Editor Reviews The Best (& Worst) Lip Stains & Tints On The Market
Best skincare products for teens and tweens from viral brands
Drunk Elephant
Its colourful neon lids, fun names, and role as a status symbol have made Drunk Elephant’s products popular with tweens and teens. We can’t blame them though — many a millennial has fallen victim to the lure of a Drunk Elephant shelfie in their day. That said, most of the brand’s products contain active ingredients like exfoliating acids and retinol, and—despite the colourful packaging—aren’t suitable for young skin. If your teen or tween is insistent on having something from the brand, try the Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, Lala Retro Whipped Cream, or Lippe Balm. Teenagers can also use the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum and Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil; not that they really need either.
Suitable for tweens: Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, Lala Retro Whipped Cream, Lippe Balm
Suitable for teens: B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum, Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
Sol de Janerio
Many a parent has been left bemused by requests for ‘bum bum cream’ from their teens and tweens. No, your child does not want nappy cream: the Sol de Janerio Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (it’s pronounced ‘boom boom cream’) is a hit with teens and adults alike for its gourmand scent (think sweet notes of vanilla, pistachio, and salted caramel) and colourful curvilinear packaging. Fortunately, it’s also safe for young skin, as are the brand’s equally popular Perfume Mists.
Suitable for tweens and teens: Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Perfume Mists
Summer Fridays
The ultimate cool girl brand, it’s not hard to see why Summer Fridays has gone viral on TikTok many times over. Its elevated aesthetic appeals more to teens than tweens, and while the brand is aimed at adults, it does have a few products that are suitable for young skin. The Lip Butter Balms come in several delectable favours are something of a status symbol (for extra points, poke a hole in the top and use them as bag charms), while the Cloud Dew Gel Cream Moisturiser is a good moisturiser for those with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin.
Suitable for tweens: Cloud Dew Gel Cream Moisturiser, Lip Butter Balm, Summer Silk Nourishing Body Lotion, Dream Lip Oil, Super Amino Gel Cleanser
Suitable for teens: Shade Drops Mineral Milk SPF30, Jet Lag Deep Hydration Serum, Jet Lag Skin Soothing Hydration Mist
Glow Recipe
Take a look at the adorable translucent colourful fruit-shaped glass bottles Glow Recipe is packaged in and it’s not hard to see why tweens and teens are #obsessed with the K-beauty-inspired brand. But despite its somewhat neotenous packaging (not to mention product names like ‘fruit babies’), Glow Recipe products pack a punch, with active ingredients like retinol and chemical exfoliants mean this is an adults only zone. We’d recommend keeping these away from kids, but if your teen simply must have something from Glow Recipe, stick to the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser, Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum, or Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream.
Suitable for tweens: stick to Allkinds, kids!
Suitable for teens: Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser, Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum, Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
What skincare products should teens and tweens avoid?
While it can be beneficial for teens and tweens to develop good skincare habits like washing their faces and wearing sunscreen, not all skincare ingredients are suitable for young skin. Certain active ingredients can be detrimental to young skin, causing irritation, inflammation, and uneven skin tone. Teens and tweens should avoid using retinol, vitamin C, alpha-hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid), and beta-hydroxy acid (salicylic acid). It’s also best to avoid products that contain physical exfoliants, such as beads, scrubs, grounds, or particles.
Teenagers with acne-prone or oily skin can use salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) in small doses, as this works to unclog pores and prevent breakouts. This can be in the form of a face wash like the CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser or leave-on exfoliant like the Go-To Clarifying Exfoliator. It’s best to limit the use of products with salicylic acid to two to three times a week to prevent damaging the skin barrier.
Not a teen or tween? Try one of these skincare and beauty related articles instead:
- The Best Lightweight Chemical Sunscreens In Australia (teens and tweens can use these too!)
- A Beauty Editor Reviews The Best (& Worst) Lip Stains & Tints On The Market
- Breaking Out? Try One Of These Face Washes For Acne-prone Skin
- The Best Men’s Skincare Brands For Great Skin In 2024
Words by Arabella Johnson
