The Best Teen Skincare Products, According to the Experts

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When I was a teenager in the early 2000s, my friends and I desperately wanted DuWop’s Lip Venom, the first lip plumper on the market. But at almost $20, none of us could afford it. So, we split the money and all shared it — gross. Teens in 2024 are different. They have TikTok and Snapchat showing them what’s cool and what skincare products they need to stay on trend and they’re spending the money to do it.

This is causing teens and even pre-teens to crowd Sephora and Ulta Beauty stores looking for the current viral product. It might be the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops or Bubble’s latest moisturizer. Millennials, Gen Xers, and store employees have taken to TikTok to complain about the kids making a mess of the displays and being aggressive when grabbing products off the shelves.

There’s a conversation about Gen Alpha’s lack of social awareness and also how much money they’re spending (whether allowance or parent’s money or whatever) on these products but that’s for another story. Today, we’re focusing on skin health because some of these viral products are not great for young skin, while others are unlikely to do any harm (even if an 11 year old doesn’t need peptides in their skincare).

But that doesn’t mean they don’t need skincare at all. Some kids deal with oily skin and breakouts and starting a healthy skincare routine can boost confidence. “Teenager’s skin is prone to acne due to increased oil production, which can clog pores,” says Dr. Gabriella Vasile, a double board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon specializing in cosmetic and surgical dermatology in Mt. Pleasant, SC. “I love recommending ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids like Adapalene. These ingredients work great for acne, yet work for all skin types if used correctly. It’s best to keep things simple for a teen’s skincare routine.”

Dr. Karan Lal, a double board-certified adult and pediatric dermatologist and fellowship-trained Cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona, agrees. “Teenagers undergo significant hormonal changes that influence their skin,” he says. “The best ingredients to look for include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinoids, benzyl peroxide for acne in teenagers. For regular moisturizers it’s good to look for ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum.”

He notes that there really is no “universally applicable” skincare routine. It’s all personal to the young person’s skin. Both derms recommend staying away from harsh products that can strip a kid’s moisture barrier before they’re 16. “It’s common with oily skin for people to use drying ingredients and over wash – this will actually cause more oil production,” Dr. Vasile says. “Stick to products with gentle and moisturizing ingredients instead. Also, skip the toners. They can be harsh on the skin and most cleansers have pH balancing properties anyway.”

One that that is a must? Sunscreen! Start protecting their skin early. “SPF is also a must, especially because retinoids and BHAs can make your skin more prone to sunburn,” she adds.

Below, shop expert-approved products for teens and adults alike.