Mindful Care and Consistency | Skincare for Tweens + Teens

Mindful Care and Consistency

Over the past few months, I have been asked what sort of skincare ritual their tweens and teens could be following. The question is usually provoked by their children asking for a moisturiser or a deodorant in the supermarket and the parent questioning if that choice is the best for their child.

As a teenager, I had a part time job (in a fast food restaurant!) so I had my own money and was able to purchase skincare. It was something that I really enjoyed spending money on and I usually purchased based on recommendations from friends or the teen magazine I was reading at the time. What I didn’t understand at that age was there are no regulations in Australia around what can be put in skincare. I was a teen with very sensitive and reactive skin and so many of the products I put on my skin would causes acne breakouts, rashes, severe dry patches of skin around my nose and mouth. I wasn’t until my late 20s that I began to understand that my skin barrier had been extremely compromised by these products and it was time to support it with loving care. It has been a 10 year battle to calm my reactive skin.

I am hoping to support you and your child to find a place that balances their independence alongside giving you the knowledge to help your child cherish clean natural skincare. In the long term a healthy lipid barrier and microbiome will support confidence and self love and solve many skin issues.

Here are some tips (from a skincare formulator and mum of 4).

Consistency

Healthy skin comes from a consistent skincare ritual everyday. For most this includes a gentle cleanser, toner and moisturisers. If much time is spent in the sun - I do encourage use of a mineral sunscreen. Some of our favourites are Sunbutter, Yallingup Zinc and Avocado Zinc (all Australian made).

Avoid Over Cleansing

Over cleansing strips the skin of essential oils and disrupts the natural moisture barrier. This is also true of harsh surfactants like detergents. There are some plant based surfactants like Sucrose Cocoate, Coco Glucoside and Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside that are gentle and do not disrupt the skin barrier.

Cleanse the skin once per day using an oil cleanser or gentle surfactant based cleanser for sensitive skin and ensure makeup and sunscreen are removed at the end of the day.

Learn about ingredients together

My favourite place to check ingredients I am unsure about is https://www.ewg.org/ 

Harsh synthetic ingredients like Retinol, Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and parfum/fragrances should not be used by tweens and teens. They are too strong (and completely unnecessary).

Plant sources of vitamin C like hibiscus, camu camu and hydrating plants like marshmallow root, are great alternatives.

Avoid ingredients such as Phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde, alcohols, parabens, sulphates and Phthalates.

Prioritise the skin barrier

This is so important for skin health both short and long term. The skin is the largest organ of the body and provides support for everything that happens inside. The microbiome needs balance and gentle care.

Cold pressed oils, gentle cleansers and avoiding harsh exfoliators (think St Ives) are key.

Don't compromise on Quality

Please please please, do not buy skincare at the supermarket, department store or chemist. These products will mostly contain synthetic ingredients and harsh fillers.

Consider purchasing your skincare from small makers or businesses that are completely transparent about their ingredients and are qualified to be making your skincare.

Start with starter sets, to ensure the products are compatible with your skin. Most of our products are available in small sizes.

Also remember that the skin may purge when you start using a new product, this means that you may get an increase in acne and some spots of dryness. This is related to an increase in cellular turnover and should settle in a week or two. Purging is more likely with harsh exfoliants and synthetic ingredients (that Mäesi Apothecary doesn’t use!)

Ritual for Teens + Tweens

1. Cleanse with a gentle oil cleanser. Ensure you wipe the face over with a clean face cloth (like this one).
2. Hydrate with single origin hydrosols.
3. Nourish and protect the skin with either a face serum or face cream. If your teen is struggling with very dry skin, use a serum and follow with a face cream at night.
4. Exfoliate with our herbal grains, 1 -2 times per week