As a parent, watching your babies grow into toddlers then little children to big kids to pre-teens and then eventually hitting puberty – just feels surreal!
As they grow, physically and mentally, their skin also changes!
One of the most obvious changes will be, the appearance of their skin.If you are as confused as all of us are on how to manage and take care of your tween/pre-teen’s skin, don’t worry.
Let us help you understand and figure out how to teach your growing kids to take care of their growing skin!
Preteen (Tween) Skin
Preteens - or “tweens” - are defined as children between the ages of nine to twelve who are on the verge of becoming teenagers. However, body hormones and changes actually occur at an even earlier age. At age seven, sebum (oil) production increases, and it is during these prepubescent years that they may experience slight oiliness in their T-Zone and their first pimples. This is very important! As parents we start seeing changes in the appearance of their skin as well as their body, and need to treat it differently than we used to when they were “babies”.
How Skin Changes As A Teen
When tweens hit their teenage years, oiliness and breakouts really ramp up. Experts say that: “As teenagers (both male and female) go through puberty, they have a surge of testosterone and other androgenic hormones. One effect of this surge is an increase in sebum production."
Sebum is an important component of healthy skin, helping to moisturize and protect it from the environment.
The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is considered a key player in acne development. Studies have shown that P. acnes uses sebum as a source of energy, and its presence in the pores initiates an immune response that triggers inflammation
Teens also produce more keratin, a protective protein that strengthens the skin, hair and nails.
Too much keratin can lead to hyperkeratosis, a thickening of the outer layer of skin, which can clog the pores, increase congestion, and result in more breakouts
The good news is that most teenagers can manage these changes with appropriate hygiene and skin care, especially if started at a younger age – prevention before treatment!
When To Start A Skin Care Routine
Most experts recommend starting a very basic skin care routine during the preteen years. This builds good skin care habits and ensures that by the time more major issues come along, there is a good, healthy base to work from.
No need to make it complicated, but you also want to make it a little bit of fun for these little ones so they will do it on a regular basis. Read on for what we advise for a tween and teen skin care routine.
The Basics: Tween Skin Care Routine
The most important Rule: Keep it basic.
You don’t want to overwhelm your tween or teen with your favorite Korean 10-step routine. Instead, keep it gentle and bare bones; there’s always room for them to add more products as they become more comfortable. This slow and steady approach also makes it easier to determine what ingredients and formulas work best for your child’s skin - and what has the potential to irritate it.
The Timi&Mila Tween Trio * is a basic skin care routine with just three simple steps: cleanse, tone and moisturize, day and night.
We suggest building skin care into your preteen's existing routine: When they brush their teeth, they can wash their face. When they’re finished flossing, they can massage the toner in, and when they put on their pjs they can apply the moisturizer . If you create a skin care routine that way, they won’t miss when they’re supposed to do their home care.
Making skin care a quick and easy addition to a morning and night routine makes it more likely that your tween or teen will follow through.
Step 1: Cleanse
When it comes to choosing a cleanser, stick to a gentle formula that will clear impurities and keep the skin hydrated. We recommend our Clean Me Cleanser * which gives a nice, light lather and contains beneficial ingredients like hibiscus, rose and honey. Most importantly, like all Timi&Mila products, it is formulated without harmful chemicals that could irritate the skin.
Step 2: Tone
Again make sure you choose a toner that is very gentle for their delicate skin! Natural toners are filled with anti-oxidants, natural exfoliating agents and balances out the oil production in the skin. Our Timi&Mila Totally Toner * is no different. With its base of rose water and which hazel it refreshes and nourishes the skin all at the same time.
Step 3: Moisturize
At that age it is always a good idea to go with a light weight moisturizer! The Timi&Mila Magic Moisturizer * is good for all skin types and contains deeply hydrating Black Current Extract, Honey and Propanediol which are amazing for acne prone skin as well as helps irritated inflamed skin feel amazing, moisturized and nourished.
We recommend combining the Timi&Mila Magic Moisturizer * with your tween’s fav SPF. Sun protection is key to great skin health!
Good Skin Care Habits
Beyond a regular skin care routine, there are several things tweens and teens can do to maintain and improve their skin’s health. Here are a few simple habits to keep in mind and start early:
- Wash pillowcases regularly
- Keep phones clean
- Avoid touching the face
- Remove makeup or face paint before bed
- Drink plenty of water
- Don’t pick or pop pimples
- Wear SPF daily
* All our Tween Trio Products are launching this Thursday - Stay tuned!