It goes without saying that young people go through a staggering amount of changes in their teenage years, and the most visible of those changes is often their skin. The combination of hormones, sweat, oil production, stress, breakouts and sensitivity is a common one, and though plenty of products on drugstore shelves promise quick fixes, this isn’t the best way to solve the issues. Natural products are a far better choice for teen skin; they are safer, gentler and are almost always more effective in the long run when a good routine is established. Let’s take a closer look!
Understanding Teen Skin Needs
Teen skin is very different from adult skin. It tends to be much oilier, and therefore more prone to breakouts and reactions to changes in environment. Harsh cleansers and products that are packed full of ingredients like parabens, synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes and many others run the risk of stripping away natural oils, which cause irritation and rebound oil production. There might be a temptation to use nothing at all, but we all know that teens can be left feeling very self-conscious and uncomfortable when they feel exposed! The perfect middle ground is a set of natural options that cleanse and protect without doing anything to overwhelm the skin.
The Problem with Harsh Chemicals
Lots of mainstream care products are designed to be fast-acting and strong, but this strength often comes as the result of lots of parabens, sulfates and artificial fragrances. These are exactly the kinds of ingredients that can clog pores, dry skin and trigger sensitivity reactions. When it’s a teen in question, even the slightest hint of a breakout can knock confidence that might not be that high in the first place. Choosing natural alternatives removes the threat from all of these irritants and focuses purely on supporting skin at a foundational level.
Gentle but Effective Ingredients
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that natural skincare means ‘ineffective’, it means harnessing the power of better ingredients to work with the body rather than against it. An ingredient like charcoal, for example, is amazing for drawing out impurities in the skin without completely stripping it. Plant-based oils can offer hydration without clogging up pores. Essential oils can deodorize and freshen without the need for synthetic perfume, which is something that can be very attractive to teenage boys who don’t want any fuss!
Building Healthy Habits Early
Teenage years are the perfect time to start introducing positive skincare and hygiene routines that can last a lifetime. Once habits are formed, they are very hard to break, and getting into the realm of natural products at an early age is only ever going to give someone the best possible chance to continue their beneficial practices into adulthood. It’s all about learning that instead of reaching for chemically harsh quick fixes, a skincare routine built around safe, gentle products is the way to go!
Choosing the Right Products
It’s worth remembering that not all products are created equal, and natural products are included in that too. It’s really important to look out for non-toxic body products like charcoal soap, deodorant and natural body wash that are all a very easy and approachable starting point for anyone who wants good results but isn’t quite ready to start a full, multi-stage daily regime.
For teens, this kind of attitude is the most common, and with so many other parts of their lives that might take up more brain space, it’s important to start them out with a simple, straightforward set of products that aren’t going to add further complication. No odor, no sweat, no breakouts, no stress, that’s the goal!
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