In what seems like a blink of an eye, that little baby of yours has become a tween whose skin care needs go beyond the soap, shampoo and body lotion that was used when she was just a toddler. As they become more independent and responsible for their own daily grooming, this may be the perfect time to help them develop a sensible skin care routine that will put them on the road to a lifetime of healthy skin.
At this stage, simply getting your tween to adhere to any routine on a regular basis will be the challenge (in other words, you will have to draw on your ability to nag constantly). By just following a few simple tips and basic steps, your tween will be able to develop some good habits that will be the cornerstone of good skin care. It’s no coincidence, either, that their routine is remarkably similar to the one that we may be following ourselves. These include:
1. Gentle cleansing –Encourage your tween to wash their face twice a day to remove surface dirt and excess oils. Unless they’re engaged in strenuous sports, there’s no need to wash more often. Over washing may end up irritating skin and over-stimulating oil glands, the exact opposite of what they probably want. Opt for a gentle, unfragranced cleanser that is specifically meant for the face. Because tween skin can still be quite sensitive, we like La Roche Posay’s Physiological Cleansing Gel or Cliniderm Gentle Cleanser.
2. Moisturizing – To keep skin hydrated and soft. It may seem counterintuitive to use a moisturizer on tween skin that might typically be producing excess oil, so choose a product specifically designed for oilier skin. La Roche Posay Effaclar products are specifically designed for acneic skin. La Roche Posay Effaclar H is a light moisturizer designed to replace lipids that may have disappeared from aggressive topical treatments.
3. Sun Protection. Every day, rain or shine, winter or summer. Knowing how unprotected UV exposure can damage and age our skin, it is well worth the effort to ensure that our tweens realize the importance of a good sunscreen. Aside from wrinkles and age spots, you’ll also be helping them to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer. If you’re worried about chemicals, opt for a natural product like Keys Solar RX or Cliniderm SPF 45. View our full selection here.
4. Acne treatment. Hormones will kick in and many of our tweens will develop acne. If they’re self-conscious, try an over the counter treatment with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is an antibacterial agent, which penetrates pores without stripping away natural oils. Unagel Calming Acne Treatment, featuring 2% salicylic acid, is gentle, fragrance- free and ideal for a tween’s sensitive skin.
See? Not complicated. We’ll tackle getting them to clean up their rooms next week after we’ve replenished our energy.
