Teen Skin Care Tips

When I was in elementary school, I noticed tons of changes in my body, including the way my face looked.  It wasn’t long before I started hearing the name “Pizza Face” when I walked by.  I hated the way I looked, and I went to my mother in tears.  She took me to see a dermatologist where I learned that what I was going through was completely normal, and I could take steps to help control the outbreaks.  Now that I have teenagers, the struggle is alive again, but for my children.  There are so many more options out there to help!

I was provided with Cetaphil samples and compensation by Galderma for this post. All opinions are my own.

 

It’s important to start a skin care regimen when blemishes start. Check out these Teen Skin Care Tips!

Wash It – But Gently

While it is important to clean skin to get rid of the extra oil, sweat and makeup at the end of the day, abrasive soaps and harsh skin cleaners have been proven to irritate the face, stripping away natural moisture, and make acne worse. If your teen has acne prone skin, use a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil® DERMACONTROL Oil Control Foam Wash, the top dermatologist recommended brand of cleanser.

Cetaphil has a wide range of products for sensitive skin and acne prone skin.  Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Foam Wash is recommended by dermatologists, is clinically tested and proven to cleanse, remove excess oil and control shine in acne-prone skin. My daughter was so excited to try out the Cetaphil Derma Control Oil Control Foam Wash and Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths. She noticed that within a week her skin doesn’t feel “all oily”….ah teenagers. I loved using the Cleansing Cloths to get rid of the layers of stage makeup after my play, and I noticed I didn’t break out like I usually do, thanks Cetaphil!

 

Moisturize Me

Although we think about using moisturizer as adults, starting good habits early will help in the future. Hydrating your skin helps keep skin healthy and happy!

Help Fight the Blemish

When breakouts occur, as hard as it is, it’s important to not pick or scrub the area hard. The skin is super sensitive at this point, so instead use a topical acne treatment.

Protect It

Last, but not least, remember to always wear sunscreen to help protect the skin from the sun’s rays!  Moisturizers and even foundation can contain sunscreen, so look for a SPF of over 30.

Sometimes teens need a bit of extra help dealing with their skin care issues. In those cases, visiting a dermatologist may be exactly what they need.  I was able to talk with Dr. Diane Berson, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and an assistant attending dermatologist at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, regarding Epiduo (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) Gel 0.1%/2.5%, the first prescribed topical acne treatment medication approved for pre-teens as young as 9 years old.

 

1.      What ages is the medicine [Epiduo] recommended for?

Dr. Berson: Epiduo® (adapalene/benzoyl peroxide) Gel 0.1%/2.5% can be used by patients as young as 9 years old and older. It helps you manage your acne from pre-adolescence through adulthood.

2.       Is it for only severe acne, or any teens with large outbreaks?

Dr. Berson: Actually, Epiduo is used to treat mild acne,– it is a great treatment option for those who aren’t getting the results they want with over the counter products. And great news – using it at the first sign of the condition may help prevent future breakouts and further worsening of acne.

3.       It is suitable for any skin type?

Dr. Berson: Yes! Epiduo contains ingredients that are effective for treating acne. It is well-tolerated, so that it’s effective while not irritating for most skin types.

4.       Is it only for teens?

Dr. Berson: Epiduo is an effective medication for not only teens and adults, but for pre-adolescents as well. In fact, there has been an increase in pre-teen doctor’s visits for acne, and expert recommendations by the American Acne and Rosacea Society (reviewed and endorsed by the American Association of Pediatricians) have recommended prescription medications including topical benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids for pediatric patients. Epiduo is the first topical prescription acne treatment approved for patients as young as 9 years old.

5.       Does it have any side effects or other issues (I.e., sun exposure issues with Retin-A use, drying, redness etc. )?

Dr. Berson: Some people may develop redness, dryness, swelling, scaling, stinging or burning when they begin treatment with Epiduo.  If you find that to be the case, I suggest working with your doctor. Most of my patients find Epiduo to be very tolerable.

6.       When does one see results? 

Dr. Berson: In my experience, people using Epiduo see improvement after a few weeks. Depending on the severity of your acne it could take longer, but if you stick with it, it could eventually help improve your skin. This one prescription has two effective topical acne-fighting ingredients – a retinoid (in this case, adapalene) and benzoyl peroxide, so just continue to use it as directed, and you should see improvement.

Important Safety Information Indication: EPIDUO® (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) Gel, 0.1%/2.5% is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older. Adverse Events: In controlled clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events (≥1%) in patients treated with EPIDUO® Gel were dry skin, contact dermatitis, application site burning, application site irritation and skin irritation. Warnings/Precautions: Patients taking EPIDUO® Gel should avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps and wear sunscreen when sun exposure cannot be avoided. Erythema, scaling, dryness, stinging/ burning, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis may occur with use of EPIDUO® Gel and may necessitate discontinuation.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are interested in Epiduo check with your doctor today. Cetaphil can be purchased at Cetaphil.com or locations such as Wal-Mart and Walgreens. Full Prescribing Information

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Did you have skin issues as a teen?