It's no secret TikTok is the epicenter for beauty trends. It's also a platform teens are gravitating to for skin care advice and product recommendations. But that might make parents wonder: What skin care products are best for teens?
Your teen might be new to the skin care game or they might already be a pro. However, some skin care products contain strong ingredients that might irritate young skin. Fortunately, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman previously shared with TODAY her suggested skin care products for teens, with picks starting at just $8.
From glossy lip oils to teen-favorite brands, these products should help build them a skin care routine suitable for their skin. Keep reading to discover the best skin care products for teens, as according to a dermatologist.
Best teen skin care seen on TODAY
"When you get a pimple for the first couple of times, your immediate reaction is to pick it, treat it and you think the more the merrier, but that actually exacerbates the pimple, making it more inflamed," explains Engelman.
That's where Proactiv's pimple patches come into the picture. Once you stick it on, the patch actively treats acne with salicylic acid and hydrocolloids. Plus, "it provides a barrier for picking," the dermatologist adds.
"This cleanser is amazing for tween skin!," boasts Engelman. "It’s gentle and does a great job of removing makeup, dirt and oil without overly stripping the skin or disrupting the barrier," she notes, regardless of skin type.
Editor's note: This product by The Outset previously had a discount code when the segment first aired, but it is no longer active.
If your teen doesn't know where to start in their skin care journey, Engelman suggests looking to Cetaphil's tried and true products, such as their SA Lotion. "This new salicylic acid lotion is gentle and non-irritating and is suitable for skin without disrupting skin barrier," she says, and added that it's "designed to remove excess oil and retain skin moisture." You can even use it on the body to treat back acne.
While not all of the brand's products are suitable for teen skin, it seems that nearly every teen and tween is familiar with Drunk Elephant's offerings. But their B-Hydra serum is the perfect medium for parents and teens. "This product contains Hyaluronic Acid, which is a humectant that attracts hydration to the skin and holds it there," Engelman notes "Do tweens need HA? Probably not, but at least this one isn’t causing harm."
"Tweens love a treatment mask, particularly this viral option," raves Engelman. When applied, this 'snail jelly' mask is a refreshing treat to the skin, and a fun application, too.
Not only that, the mask contains a popular ingredient teens loved last year, snail mucin, which masks this mask great for treating "dark spots, blemishes, pores and dullness, leaving you with radiantly hydrated clear skin," she adds.
Don't forget about lip care! "Lip oils are great for an instant glossy shine, but also for deeply hydrating the lips," notes Engelman, who suggests e.l.f's best-selling Glow Reviver Lip Oil. The product is a treat for the pout, but it also leaves a subtle pigment they'll adore. You might even want to pick one up for yourself.
More teen skin care products to shop
"Not only do I have oily skin, but I'm pretty active, so sweat is something I really have to contend with," says partnerships editorial assistant Erica Marrison. "Mitchum has been my go-to deodorant since I was a young teen dancing five days a week in a hot studio. Any time I've ever tried to switch to a different brand, it fails me (and everyone else in my orbit) so I've stuck to it."
I'm known by family and friends for having little dots of this Origins charcoal mask all over my face, but as silly as it might look, the product has been my go-to for combating acne. I use it as a spot treatment (hence the dots), and when my skin really needs some extra love, I use it as a nightly mask. It's not drying, unlike most acne treatments I've tried, and leaves the skin feeling super smooth. A little goes a long way!
"This TikTok-viral lip balm has quickly become one of my favorites to use," raves associate editor Kamari Stewart. "It's not only hydrating, it's moisturizing and leaves your lips feeling super soft and smooth. It's an investment but I think it's worth it. I keep (at least) one on me at all times."
We can't not talk about Sol de Janeiro in this round-up. The teen-favorite brand is loved for their delicious scents in their fragrances, body washes and body creams, just like the one above. This one, in particular, is the brand's award-winning Delicia Drench Body Butter, which is formulated to protect and strengthen the skin barrier. It also has notes of vanilla orchid and sheer sandalwood for a warm and spicy blend.
Your teen or tween has most likely seen Wonderskin's viral lip stain all over their timeline. It claims to leave a lasting tint on the lips that is smudge-, transfer- and water-proof.
Cetaphil's Hydrating Face & Body Moisturizer is a recent Shop TODAY Beauty Awards winner for it's lasting hydration from head-to-toe. It's suitable for dry to very dry skin, and formulated with fragrance and other sensitivities.
If they suffer from dry hands or eczema, this affordable and highly moisturizing hand cream from Eos will soothe dryness without leaving the hands greasy.
Suitable for sensitive skin, this Cetaphil sunscreen stick will protect and nourish their delicate complexion, all while making it simpler for them to reapply.
If your teen or tween is starting to have an interest in makeup, a cleansing balm, like the pick above, is a gentle way for them to remove makeup without disrupting their skin.
Meet the expert
- Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and media expert.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
