Acne Treatment for Teens

Some teens struggle with acne problems that seem to diminish their self-esteem. Give your child the heads-up about taking care of this situation.

Being a teen is hard enough, but when teens have to deal with acne, growing up can only be that much harder for them. Most young people in this age group are struggling with identity issues, and self image.

Having acne can play havoc with a child’s self-esteem, and make it difficult for them to feel accepted and valued as a part of their peer group. Help young people deal with acne by giving them acne treatments that may help improve the condition. Remind kids that not everything works for everyone, so if one thing doesn’t work, they can still try something else.

Below you will find helpful tips and resources for teens who are dealing with acne.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the most promising ingredients in acne treatment. Look for over the counter products that contain this natural skin treatment, and try to incorporate them into daily skin care routines. Retinoids are a product of vitamin A, and are also very beneficial for the treatment of acne. Vitamin A products used for skin care are applied directly to the skin, rather than taken orally.

Benzoyl Peroxide
Often an ingredient in skin care products, benzoyl peroxide can improve oily skin, kill bacteria, and help eliminate dead skin cells. When used in combination with topical antibiotics, this ingredient has been demonstrated to help control acne, and improve the condition of the skin.

3 Step Guide to Treating Acne
When treating acne it is best to establish a regular routine for skin care. Try to follow this routine twice daily, once in the morning and once just before bed.

Cleanse: Wash face gently with a good soap, made especially for facial cleansing. Use hands rather than a washcloth, or some other material. Any type of antibacterial soap is recommended for cleansing the skin, when acne is present. Be sure to dry the face before continuing to the next step.

Treat: There are any number of over the counter medicines which can work to treat your acne. Choosing a skin treatment product that has both vitamin A (or retinoids) and a high concentrate of benzoyl peroxide (at least 2.5%) is the best option for successful acne treatment.

Follow the directions given on the product you choose. When applying the treatment, be sure to just smooth the product over the skin, rather than trying to rub it in. Wait a few minutes before applying moisturizer.

Moisturize: Moisturizing after acne treatment is a necessity, because many of the products used to treat acne actively work to eliminate oils in the skin.

This will leave skin dry and flaky, if moisturizer is not used. Moisturizer will help replace some of the oils in the skin, without causing another outbreak of the acne.

Note: We are not offering medical advice in this article. It is best to always consult a doctor or pharmacist before trying any treatment. Read Take Care of the Skin You're In!