Routine
A simple teen skincare routine
Most teens need three products: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and a daily sunscreen. If breakouts appear, one well-chosen acne treatment usually does more than a shelf of serums. Anti-aging actives and stacked acids are not needed and often cause rashes.
A good teen skincare routine is short: wash with a mild cleanser morning and night (and after sweating), use a light moisturizer, and apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every morning. If acne shows up, add one over-the-counter treatment, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or adapalene, and give it several weeks before judging it. Teens without a skin problem do not need retinol, exfoliating acids or multi-step anti-aging routines, which dermatologists say commonly cause red, itchy rashes in young skin.
- Cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen cover what healthy teen skin needs.
- For breakouts, add one proven acne treatment at a time and stay with it for several weeks.
- Viral routines often skip sunscreen and stack irritating actives; simpler is safer and cheaper.
The basics
What does a teen skincare routine actually need?
Teen skin is usually doing a lot right on its own. It renews itself quickly and makes plenty of collagen, which is why dermatologists interviewed by NBC News describe anti-aging products for this age group as unnecessary. What changes in the teen years is oil: hormones ramp up sebum (skin oil) production, which is why shine, clogged pores and teen acne tend to arrive together.
That makes the job fairly simple. A routine for teens should keep skin clean without stripping it, keep it comfortable, and protect it from the sun. UCLA pediatric dermatologist Dr. Carol Chen, quoted by NBC News, recommends exactly that for children without skin issues: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and sunscreen.
- Cleanser: a mild, non-abrasive face wash. See how to choose a cleanser.
- Moisturizer: a light lotion or gel for oily skin, a cream for dry skin. Our moisturizer guide explains the textures.
- Sunscreen: broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, every morning.
If you are not sure whether your skin is oily, dry or combination, our skin type test takes a few minutes and helps you pick textures that feel right.
Step by step
Teen skincare routine: morning and night
| Step | Morning | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cleanse | Mild cleanser and warm water, or just water if skin is dry | Mild cleanser to remove oil, sweat, sunscreen and makeup |
| 2. Treat (only if needed) | Benzoyl peroxide wash or salicylic acid, if using for acne | Adapalene or another single acne treatment, if using |
| 3. Moisturize | Light, non-comedogenic lotion or gel | Same moisturizer, or a slightly richer one if dry |
| 4. Protect | Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplied outdoors | Not needed |
- Wash gently
The AAD suggests washing when you wake up, before bed and after sweating, using fingertips and warm water rather than a washcloth or scrub. Pat dry with a clean towel.
- Moisturize even if oily
Skipping moisturizer can leave skin tight, especially once acne treatments are added. Pick a product labeled non-comedogenic (formulated not to clog pores).
- Use enough sunscreen
The AAD recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors. It is easy to under-apply; our guide on how much sunscreen to use shows a simple measure.
- Keep the order simple
Thinnest to thickest, treatment before moisturizer, sunscreen last in the morning.
If breakouts start
How should teens add acne treatment?
If the core routine is not enough, add one acne product, not five. The AAD’s acne advice stresses patience: results can take several weeks to a few months, and switching products too often keeps you from finding what works.
Benzoyl peroxide
Reduces acne bacteria and inflammation. Available as washes, gels and spot treatments. It can bleach towels and pillowcases. Read benzoyl peroxide explained.
Salicylic acid
An oil-soluble exfoliant that works inside the pore. A wash or leave-on product a few times a week is usually enough. See salicylic acid.
Adapalene 0.1%
A retinoid the FDA approved for over-the-counter acne use in people 12 and older. It is a treatment for acne, not an anti-aging step. See adapalene.
Hydrocolloid patches
Cover a pimple, absorb fluid and stop picking. Useful for surface spots; see our acne patch picks.
Expect a little dryness: benzoyl peroxide and adapalene can cause dryness and peeling at first. Start every other night, use a pea-sized amount for the whole face, and keep moisturizing. A full plan for breakout-prone skin is in our acne-prone skin routine.
What to skip
Do teens need retinol, acids or serums?
Usually not. Dermatologists told NBC News that they now see tweens and young teens with red, dry, itchy rashes caused by products they do not need, most often retinoids and exfoliating hydroxy acids. Retinoids can cause retinoid dermatitis, and combining several chemical exfoliants mainly leads to irritation.
A 2025 study in Pediatrics by Northwestern Medicine researchers looked at 100 TikTok videos of girls aged 7 to 18 showing their routines. The average routine used about six products and cost around $168, the top-viewed videos averaged 11 potentially irritating active ingredients, and only 26% of daytime routines included sunscreen, the one product dermatologists consider essential.
Worth it
- A gentle cleanser and a moisturizer you like using.
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.
- One acne treatment if you actually have acne.
- Lip balm with SPF for outdoor sports.
- Clean pillowcases and washing after sports.
Usually skip
- Retinol or “anti-aging” serums without acne.
- Glycolic, lactic or other acid toners stacked together.
- Scrubs, peel pads and at-home peels.
- Strongly fragranced products, which raise the risk of a rash.
- Routines copied from adults or influencers.
Adapalene is the exception: it is a retinoid, but it is used to treat acne. It belongs in a teen routine only when there are breakouts, not as a “glow” step.
For parents and tweens
How can parents keep a tween or teen routine safe?
Tweens often want the same products they see online, and saying no outright can backfire. A middle path works better: agree on a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen they choose themselves, and read the labels together before anything else is added.
Dr. Chen advises parents whose child insists on more to steer clear of retinol and exfoliating hydroxy acids, which can appear under names such as retinyl acetate, glycolic acid, lactic acid or citric acid on the ingredient list. Our guide to reading an ingredient list helps spot them.
- Introduce one new product at a time and do a patch test first.
- Keep the routine to a few minutes; long routines tend to mean more irritation.
- Treat sunscreen as the non-negotiable step, especially for outdoor sports.
- Do not share adult prescription creams with a teen.
Safety and professional-help boundaries
When teen skin needs a doctor, not more products.
- Acne that leaves scars or dark marks, or deep, painful lumps (nodules or cysts), should be seen by a doctor or dermatologist early; prescription treatment can prevent lasting scars.
- If over-the-counter treatment has not helped after a few months of steady use, ask a doctor about prescription options.
- A red, dry, itchy or burning rash after new products: stop the new products and get advice if it does not settle within a few days.
- Acne that is badly affecting mood, confidence or school life deserves medical help, not just more products.
- See a dermatologist for any mole or spot that changes, itches or bleeds.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions
What is a good teen skincare routine?
A gentle cleanser morning and night, a light moisturizer and a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen each morning. If acne appears, add one treatment such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or adapalene.
What age should you start a skincare routine?
There is no set age, but a basic routine of cleansing, moisturizing and sunscreen makes sense once skin starts getting oilier around puberty. Sunscreen is worth using at any age from 6 months on.
Should a 13-year-old use retinol?
Generally no. Healthy young skin renews itself quickly, and dermatologists report retinoid rashes in tweens using products they do not need. The exception is adapalene for acne, which the FDA approved over the counter for ages 12 and up.
Is adapalene safe for teenagers?
Adapalene 0.1% gel is approved in the US for over-the-counter acne treatment in people 12 and older. Expect some dryness at first; use a pea-sized amount at night and keep moisturizing.
Can teens use vitamin C serum or niacinamide?
They can, but they are optional. These are gentler than retinol or acids, yet they are not needed for healthy skin, and every extra product adds a chance of irritation.
How many times a day should a teenager wash their face?
Twice a day and after sweating is enough. Washing more often, or scrubbing, can irritate skin and make breakouts look worse.
Do teens with oily skin need moisturizer?
Yes, usually. A light, non-comedogenic lotion or gel keeps skin comfortable, especially when acne treatments dry it out.
What sunscreen should teens use?
A broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, labeled non-comedogenic if acne-prone. Apply it every morning and reapply when outdoors for long periods.
How long does teen acne treatment take to work?
Usually several weeks to a few months. Stay with one treatment consistently before switching, and see a doctor if there is no improvement after a few months.
Are viral TikTok skincare routines safe for kids?
Often not. A 2025 Pediatrics study found popular routines averaged 11 potentially irritating active ingredients, and only about a quarter of daytime routines included sunscreen.
Editorial Record
- Editorial status
- awaiting expert review
Related pages
Continue from here
Sources reviewed
Evidence behind this routine
- American Academy of Dermatology: Skin care tips dermatologists use.
- American Academy of Dermatology: Acne, tips for managing.
- NBC News: Tweens are getting rashes from some skin care products popularized on social media, dermatologists say. 2024.
- Northwestern Now: TikTok teen skin care routines are harmful (study in Pediatrics, 2025).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA approves Differin Gel 0.1% for over-the-counter use to treat acne. 2016.
Sources support the general editorial guidance shown here. They do not replace personal medical advice from a qualified clinician.