Teen Skincare Acne Guide: Dermatologist Tips for Your First Skincare Routine

If you’re a teenager (or parent of one) trying to navigate the world of skincare, you’ve probably noticed something: it’s overwhelming. TikTok influencers promise glass skin in 10 steps. Instagram ads sell do-it-all serums. Friends swear by products their favourite YouTuber recommended. 

Meanwhile, you or your child’s skin is breaking out, feeling oily, or maybe both at the same time, and you’re not sure where to start. As dermatologists treating teenagers across West London, we see this daily: young people with bathroom shelves full of products that are actually making their skin worse. The good news? We can simplify this.

At No23. Skin, we’re not interested in fads or hype. For us, quality wins over quantity, and long-term solutions will always be more important than short-term fixes. Our focus is on helping people find confidence through great, healthy skin, no matter where you are on your journey. 

What Makes Teenage Skin Unique?

Let’s start with the science, because understanding why your skin behaves the way it does helps you make better decisions about how to treat it.

During puberty and the teenage years, your body produces more hormones called androgens (testosterone is one example). These hormones signal your sebaceous glands (oil glands in your skin) to produce more sebum (oil). 

This is completely normal and happens to virtually every teenager. When excess oil mixes with dead skin cells, it clogs pores and leads to spots. 

Common Teenage Skin Concerns

• Acne and Breakouts: This is the most common concern we see. It ranges from occasional spots to persistent, painful cystic acne, and can appear on the face, back, chest, and shoulders.
• Oily Skin: That shiny T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) that appears by midday? That’s excess sebum production. Completely normal, but frustrating.
• Blackheads: Those dark spots on your nose aren’t dirt, they’re clogged pores where sebum has oxidized (turned dark when exposed to air). Squeezing them makes things worse.
• Combination Skin: Oily T-zone but dry cheeks? This is incredibly common in teenagers as hormone levels fluctuate.
• Sensitivity and Irritation: Young skin has a less developed barrier, making it more reactive to harsh ingredients, fragrances, and over-treatment.
• Uneven Texture: Rough patches, bumpy skin, or “chicken skin” (keratosis pilaris) on arms—all common in teenagers.
• Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Dark marks left behind after spots heal. More common in darker skin tones but can affect anyone.

The Dermatologist-Approved Teen Skincare Routine

Teenage skin is more resilient and regenerates more quickly than adult skin, but it’s also more sensitive and changes constantly as hormones fluctuate. What your skin needs at 13 might be different from what it needs at 17.

Teenage skincare doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Our expert dermatologists recommend only a gentle cleanser, a lightweight moisturiser and an SPF30+. Our top skincare products that our dermatologists regularly recommend are:

• Cleansers: Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, or CeraVe Blemish Control. If you have dry skin go for the more hydrating cleansers… more oily, go for the Blemish Control.
• Moisturiser: Effaclar Duo+M. Don’t skip the moisturiser, even with oily skin as your skin may try and over-compensate.
• Targeted treatment: Acnecide (benzoyl peroxide gel), or prescription medications following an in-person or online review.
• SPF: Heliocare 360 Oil-Free Gel SPF or Heliocare Acnimat which is formulated with niacinamide for breakout-prone skin. And also the Heliocare mineral tolerance fluid if you have sensitive skin.

If a safe, simple routine isn’t improving anything after 3 months, we’d recommend giving us a call or popping in for a chat. We can prescribe medication, offer professional treatments, and provide specialist knowledge to transform your skin when over-the-counter products aren’t enough.

Teenage years are challenging enough without skin concerns adding to the stress. Get the basics right, be patient with results, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help when you need it. We want you to feel healthy, comfortable, and in your own skin. We’re here to help.

Habits To Avoid

Despite how tempting it may be to pick at spots, squeeze blackheads or throw everything at your skin in the hopes something will work, it can actually make your skin worse. Here’s a few tips on what to avoid: 

• Over-cleansing: Washing your face more than twice daily strips natural oils and triggers more oil production.
• Picking and popping: Creates scarring, spreads bacteria, and increases inflammation. We know it’s tempting. Use a pimple patch instead.
• Using makeup wipes: They don’t properly cleanse skin and can leave a residue behind. Use a proper cleanser.
• Skipping SPF: Teenage sun damage shows up as pigmentation, wrinkles, and skin cancer risk in your 30s and 40s. Protect your skin now.
• Sharing products: Leads to bacteria transfer. Use your own products and makeup, and wash any brushes or sponges regularly.

When Over-the-Counter Products Aren’t Enough

Struggling with persistent acne that isn’t improving after 3 months of consistent home treatment? Or maybe you’re feeling frustrated with painful, cystic acne, scarring from old breakouts or dark marks that won’t fade? 

We offer online consultations for acne, which work brilliantly for teenagers with busy schedules spanning school, exams and extra-curricular activities. Our dermatologists specialise in treating acne at all ages and will provide you with peace of mind and a personalised plan to get your skin feeling and looking its best. 

How it works: Upload photos, complete a medical questionnaire, and our dermatologists review and prescribe appropriate treatment. Follow-up appointments are also online, making it easy to fit into your life.

Book an online consultation 

We’re Here To Help

At No. 23 Skin, we specialise in teenage dermatology. Our consultant dermatologists understand adolescent skin, the hormonal factors at play, and the emotional impact of skin concerns during these formative years.

We offer:

• In-person dermatology consultations
• Online acne consultations (perfect for busy teenagers)
• AviClear laser treatment for persistent acne without stepping into long-term medication management
• Personalised prescription treatments tailored to teenage skin
• Scar treatment and prevention
• Patient, judgment-free care in a safe, welcoming clinic

We’re located in West London, just off High Street Kensington, easy to reach after school or on weekends.

Call us for a chat on 0203 9411815 or book an appointment online today.

Helen & Dr Cherry

CoFounders
No. 23 Skin
02039411815

We hope you have found this post useful and informative. However, please seek advice specific to your skin for the best results – nothing can take the place of a proper medical review with us, your GP, or your dermatologist.