February 10, 2025 woods_ copenhagen

Skincare for teens: A step-by-step guide

Navigating skincare as a teenager (or honestly, just as much as an adult) can feel like a maze. In this digital age, we’re constantly flooded with the newest trends and quick fixes promising flawless skin. But here’s the truth: What’s great for someone else might not be right for you – especially when it comes to younger skin.

In this guide, we’re breaking down a practical, no-fuss skincare routine to help keep younger skin healthy without relying on unnecessary or overly complex routines.

Start slow: Less is more

First things first: No two skin types are the same. When you’re a teenager, your body still produces plenty of collagen, the protein that keeps the skin firm and supple – meaning, there’s no need for products that claim to ‘restore’ or ‘rejuvenate’ maturing skin.

Keep it simple, gentle, and efficient. Actives are wonderful and definitely belong in a well-rounded skincare regimen, but we always recommend starting slow and to avoid overloading your routine with them, as this can lead to irritation, breakouts, or even long-term sensitivity – especially if you’re young. And that truly would be a shame, as active ingredients are incredibly beneficial when used correctly.

In short: Start with the staples and give your skin time to adjust before adding anything new.

Back to basics: The foundation of every good skincare routine

When it comes to skincare, simplicity and consistency are your best friends. It’s easy to get swept up in the latest trends or overwhelmed by a store shelf full of goodies, but at the core of every effective routine are a few key steps. Building a strong foundation starts with focusing on what your skin really needs. And it may not be as complicated as you might think.

Let’s break down the essentials of a healthy routine for teenage skin.

A cleanse a day keeps the build-up away

At the heart of any skincare routine is a daily gentle cleanse. Most skin types will find that cleansing once a day is sufficient, and we recommend doing so in the PM to remove any excess oil, pollution, or bacteria that has built up on the skin during the day. This is especially beneficial if you’re wearing make-up, as it prevents your products from clogging your pores and leading to breakouts.

And remember, good skin reaches beyond your skincare routine: It doesn’t matter that you cleanse your skin every evening if you use dirty brushes every morning. So, say it with us: Clean those brushes! Simply use a gentle water-based cleanser, such as our Daily Foaming Cleanser to remove any residue of old makeup, bacteria, and other types of grime that shouldn’t be allowed direct access to your skin.

If your skin is more on the dry side, we recommend using an oil-based cleanser. Our Cleansing Balm is enriched with nourishing vitamins and protective antioxidants, keeping build-up out but moisture in.

If your skin is on the oily side, a water-based cleanser might be more suited for you. Again, we’d recommend our Daily Foaming Cleanser, which is formulated with hydrating pentavitin and cooling aloe vera, rich in antioxidants, enzymes, and vitamins.

What we especially love about our cleansers is that they're formulated with 100% natural cleansing actives, meaning no stripping of the natural oils that your skin needs to keep itself healthy, balanced, and moisturized.

DAILY FOAMING CLEANSER

Hydration is key

Smooth, velvety soft, and healthy-looking skin begins and ends with hydration. Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that boosts and protects your skin’s hydration content. Often, teenagers won’t need heavy creams, but a simple, soothing moisturizer that adds hydration without feeling greasy will help balance their skin's hydration levels.

Our Daily Hydra Cream Sensitive is a tried, tested, and beloved moisturizer that applies lightweight hydration while dousing the skin in calming and balancing ingredients. Everything your skin craves, bottled up!

We conducted a test study of this musthave moisturizer, with 97% agreeing that Daily Hydra Cream Sensitive is suitable for sensitive skin and 89% agreeing that their skin looks and feels more soft and supple (Based on a 4-week consumer-perception study with 36 participants).

SPF is a must

The non-negotiable step that is SPF. Many leave it out, but no one should, as sun protection is critical in fending off immediate and future damage caused by harmful UV rays. Even on cloudy, snowy, or rainy days, a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 should be applied to the face, neck, and any exposed areas to prevent skin cancer, premature aging signs, and other types of UV-induced skin damage.

Our Facial Sunscreen SPF30 is the perfect purse size for on-the-go reappliance, ensuring your skin protection whenever, wherever.

SPF

Hormonal skin: Why teenagers experience breakouts and what to do

Just as teenagers go through the ups and downs of growing up, their skin is similarly going through changes of its own. Hormones kick into high gear during puberty, triggering an increase in oil production that often leads to breakouts.

Suddenly, once-clear skin starts to battle clogged pores, impurities, and acne, leaving many teens wondering why it’s happening. Often, it’s not just about hormones, as stress from school, dietary habits, and especially genetics can all play a part.

That said, breakouts are a completely normal part of this journey, but with the right care and approach, you can work your way towards a calmer, more balanced complexion. Remember: Each and every day, your skin does everything it can to protect you, so you should do your best to return the favor!

Among our selection of balancing, breakout-busting products, you can now find our newly launched Blemish Control Clarifying Gel.

A lightweight, non-comedogenic facial get that targets and clears blemishes and breakouts, thanks to the addition of 3% Seboclear ™️ as well as actibiome, and linoleic acid.

While Seboclear helps regulate the skin's oil production and calm signs of inflammation, actibiome actively balances the skin's microbiome (natural ecosystem) to calm redness and irritation, which is often associate with breakouts. Last but definitely not least, linoleic acid, derived from sea buckthorn, strengthens the skin barrier and furthermore regulates the skin's oil production to prevent the formation of future breakouts.

Additionally, linoleic acid adresses the common issue of linoleic acid deficiency often seen in acne-prone skin.

Also enriched with hyaluronic acid, the gel provides weightless hydration, making it an essential daily moisturizer for breakout-prone teenage skin – however, you can also combine it with our Daily Hydra Cream Sensitive for extra hydration, if needed.

DAILY HYDRA CREAM SENSITIVE

Keep it simple and consistent

For teenagers especially, the most important part of skincare is consistency. A simple, balanced routine will turn out far more effective than chasing trends or experimenting with multiple products your skin doesn't really need. Whether you’re a parent or a teenager yourself reading this, know that for now, focusing on these healthy habits can go a long way.

Skincare for teens: A step-by-step guide

Start slow: Less is more