A simple skincare routine for tweens

As the mum of a tween, I'm starting to be on the receiving end of eye rolls and a bit of sass getting thrown my way. Anyone else in the same boat?

Navigating the teen hormone rollercoaster ride is tricky and, according to the experts, is starting earlier as kids are often hitting puberty at the age of 8 or 9. This  'tween' stage  is usually defined as 8-12 years, and we are seeing kids go through big physical and emotional changes. 

My daughter is starting to get a few breakouts, along with the outbreaks of sass, but the plus side is that she is wanting to learn about skincare. It can be overwhelming as a parent when faced with all the competing information and products out there, including the slick marketing campaigns for expensive brands that are not appropriate for young skin....I'm looking at you, Drunk Elephant.

So I thought I'd share some suggestions for a simple, natural skincare routine for tweens. The key is keeping things as simple as possible and only adding in steps when it is necessary.

A simple, natural skincare routine for tweens

Step 1: Cleanse

Tweens can start by cleansing at night to wash the day off before going to bed. Nothing too foamy or harsh as this will strip the natural oils from the delicate facial skin. Tweens with oilier skin can cleanse both morning and night if needed.

Tweeny Foam-o Gentle Cleanser is a good option for tweens just starting out and those with sensitive skin as it is pH balanced, doesn't strip skin and has no nasties. It is also fragrance-free so good for all genders. The foam pump dispenser means your tween is getting just the right amount as well. Some of the most common feedback we have from parents is that younger kids starting out with skincare tend to be heavy handed when squeezing out product from tubes!

If your tween prefers a gel type cleanser this Juicy Melon Jelly Cleanser from cult Aussie skincare brand Vanessa Megan is a goodie. It transforms from a gel to a milk and has enough oomph to remove dirt and also any makeup if your tween is into that.

For tweens with oily, pimple-prone skin,  Skin Juice Berry Fresh Oil to Gel Cleanser to help to absorb excess sebum and gently cleanse pores without drying out their skin. It goes on as an oil for a deep clean but transforms to a gel with the addition of water so it is lightweight on the skin.

Step 2: Moisturise

Follow the cleanser with a lightweight moisturiser or simple face serum. Tweens should not be using anything containing retinol, peptides or other anti-aging, anti-pigmentation ingredients despite what social media tells them!

This is Tweeny Just Dew-It is a great non-greasy moisturiser for fussy kids as it absorbs quickly into the skin. It's also been formulated for sensitive skin and helps to calm down any inflammation. This one is light enough to use morning and night as well.

Another good option that smells amazing is the Skin Juice Pineapple Punch which mattifies the skin and regulates oil flow. The pineapple enzymes help to gently exfoliate the skin too.

If your tween is keen to get into serums, we recommend Botanicals by Luxe Teen Serum with its mattifying formula that includes anti-inflammatory Mountain Pepper Berry for skin clearing properties and a high source of Vitamin C, helping to calm and repair the skin.

Step 3: Sunscreen

This is a step that can't be skipped! Everyone in your household regardless of age should be putting on a sunscreen before they head out for the day. It's the best way to look after your skin. Look for a non-chemical sunscreen that contains zinc as the physical sun protection barrier. Zinc will also assist in keeping the skin clear and healing any breakouts.

Skin Juice Sun Juice Mineral SPF15 Moisturiser is a good double duty product combining sun protection and hydration. It also contains anti-acne totoral extract to help keep the face blemish free. 

Sun & Daughter Pink Tinted Mineral Sunscreen is a bit of fun because guess what...it's tinted pink! The colour fades as you rub it in and it also comes in a yellow tint and a clear version for anyone who doesn't want to wear pink on Wednesdays. The whole family can use this but the naturally-derived colour option makes it especially fun for kids. It's gentle enough to be used on babies over 6 months and kids with eczema-prone skin too. 

Step 4: Breakouts and Treatments

Sometimes a bit of extra help is needed so we recommend the Vanessa Megan Foodie Lemon Aid Pimple Gel for treating pesky blemishes as it contains bilberry extract and lemon oil to naturally remove bacteria and calm inflamed skin.

Adding a treatment mask into the routine will also help to detoxify and keep skin clear. The Tweeny Multi-Masker Clay Mask contains kaolin clay to soak up excess oil, is suitable for most skin types and it won't dry out skin like a lot of clay masks. Turmeric has long been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties and is a useful addition to any tween skincare routine. 

So there you have it, a very simple and cost effective start to skincare for tweens. We hope this helps and please get in touch with me at sarah@naturalsupplyco.com if you would like specific questions answered. My background is in dermatology nursing but as always, this advice does not replace medical advice. 

Sarah x