Consultant Dermatologist Dr Sreedhar Krishna earmarks twelve as a good ballpark age but reiterates that it comes down to the onset of puberty. “This is when hormonal changes can lead to skin issues like acne, making it crucial to establish good skincare habits early on,” he says. Alongside combating issues such as acne as a result of hormonal changes, pollution – an increasing issue in city living – is also a reason to start skincare young. “Teenagers’ skin is exposed to various pollutants, making a proper skincare routine crucial to cleanse the skin of dirt and pollutants,” Krishna says.

The benefits of doing so are myriad. “Skincare can act as a confidence booster and reduce stress for teenagers dealing with exam pressure, emotional issues, and other challenges,” he notes. It’s also good to get into the habit young. “Skincare is a lifelong pursuit, and starting early can lead to healthier and more youthful-looking skin in later life,” Krishna confirms. “As they age, the skincare routine should adjust to include anti-aging products in their twenties, and retinol and retinoid products in their thirties,” he adds.

A teen skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated and both experts agree that a simple routine of cleanser, moisturiser and a broad spectrum SPF is all that is needed with additional treatment style products if the teen is suffering with acne or other skin conditions like rosacea or eczema.

What are the differences between skincare products for teens and adult women?

Teens have different skin types and concerns in comparison to adult women so products should be adjusted accordingly. “Skincare routines should be personalised and adapted to address the specific needs of each age group,” Krishna notes.

For teens that are suffering at the hands of puberty-induced oily and acne-prone skin, a very common concern, there are particular products that can be beneficial. “Products that target oiliness and acne, such as oil-free cleansers, spot treatments, and non-comedogenic moisturisers, are beneficial,” Krishna says. “Ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can help treat and prevent acne,” he also adds.

Beyond this, it’s better to stick to a simple routine that includes a cleanser, moisturiser and SPF and not experiment with active ingredients aimed at older skin. “Teenage girls on the whole need very gentle products with minimal ingredients. They have delicate skin and it should be protected,” Crawthorne recommends. “Older women tend to need to focus on products that will repair long term UV damage such as mottled pigmentations, sun spots, Melasma and lack of glow to the skin. These are not things that teenage girls suffer from, their glow is abundant,” Crawthorne says.

Furthermore, popular ingredients seen in adult skincare like Retinol are a definite no-no on teen skin. “They don’t need retinols unless it’s for acne and it’s on prescription,” Crawthorne confirmed. Using products aimed at these issues can actually be detrimental to teens. “When teenage girls use many of these products they end up causing irritation to the skin barrier that might induce acne and/or a rosacea or so commonly a perioral dermatitis,” she adds.

What skincare should a 12 year old wear?

Keeping it simple is the overarching message here. “If there is a medical problem then it should be treated with the appropriate best evidence based treatment. If there is no issue then don’t complicate the routine,” Crawthorne suggests. Krishna suggests the following routine: