Does Your Teen Deal with Acne? Try this.

I remember when my face started breaking out in high school. My mom was quick to take me to a doctor, who was smart enough to ask me if I drink pop. We called it pop in Ohio. I drank a lot of soda as a kid. My mom didn’t let me eat white bread or sugary cereal or pop tarts, but boy, we could put away some soda.

Anyway, that doctor suggested that I drink clear soda instead of colored soda, like Spite instead of Coke. That really stuck with me and likely ignited my curiosity for the impact of food on my health.

Today my face still breaks out when I have an excess of certain “foods”, which brings me to my point. If your teen can understand that their food choices are impacting their skin or overall health, then they can make those decisions on their own. They can take responsibility in this small way, which is the goal as we help them launch. Would your kids eat an extra fruit or vegetable if they thought it would help their face?

Interesting observation in JAMA Dermatology about the significance the Western diet — that means processed foods, high levels of sugar, additives, and simple carbs — has on occurrence and rates of acne. There is little to no acne in most countries where they still eat close to the land and haven’t yet adopted the Western diet.

Now, let’s get real, we are smack dab in the middle of a sugar fest, which started at Halloween and hasn’t let up much since. We swapped candy for pie and now gingerbread houses, Hanukkah gelt, and whatever the F is sitting around.

This influx of sugar is showing up on my own skin as well as my kids’. While the teenage years are infamous for greasy skin and zits, most acne can be improved with just a few changes (for adults and kids).

Contributing factors: 

  • Diet - For whatever reason, sugar and dairy are both huge contributors to acne. I don’t recommend banning these foods or instilling rules for your teens, but it is helpful to teach kids about how food impacts them, both the good and bad. (btw, your body doesn’t know the difference between processed carbs — like the buns at Subway, for example — and sugar.)

  • Harsh chemicals - The irritating chemicals common in most commercial laundry detergents and face soaps can also cause adverse reactions. Check the safety of yours at EWG.

  • Medication - Prolonged antibiotic use wreaks havoc in the gut and this can lead to breakouts.

  • Poor skin hygiene - If you haven’t taught your kids how to take care of their skin yet, now is the time. Teach them to wash at least every night before bed. Choosing safer skincare is critical, and I share my favorites for teenage skin below.

  • Hormonal fluctuations - Hormonal changes are related to acne, and dietary choices also impact the hormones. It’s all connected, but when you improve your food choices and switch to safer skincare, you’ll also improve your hormonal balance.

Simple Steps:

If your teen has expressed annoyance about their acne and you aren’t sure how to talk to your kid about their skin, start with teaching them these basic concepts:

  1. Dietary changes - As I mentioned above, I don’t recommend creating food rules or labeling foods good and bad. This will create more harm than good. The idea is simple : some foods will help your skin (fruits + vegetables) and some foods will not. Ask them to just add 2 more servings each day. (Owen and I anticipated this struggle and started our kids on Juice Plus+ because it provides 45 different varieties of fruits and vegetables each day. It doesn’t replace the real stuff and a healthy diet, but it certainly helps fill the gaps).

  2. Skincare - Be sure to choose safer skincare for your adolescent. It’s a critical window for avoiding toxins. There are 3 stages at which the body is more susceptible to long term harm from exposure to toxic chemicals in fragrances, lotions and soaps and adolescence is one of those (in utero and pregnancy are the other two). See my top picks for safer skincare below.

  3. Practice good skin hygiene - In addition to switching to safer skincare, help your kid establish a good routine (this includes teaching them not to touch and pick their face!!). I recommend washing at least 1x/day and most helpful to wash away the day’s grime at night.

Best Skincare Routine

I’m a big believer in simple, but effective skincare. Start with a simple and safe cleanser and moisturizer. Once that routine is established you may add on acne treatments, facial masks, and makeup.

Below are my recommendations:

Cleanser Options:

  • A Charcoal bar is perfect for the minimalist looking to detoxify sensitive skin. This is the safest charcoal bar on the market and in addition to charcoal, it also contains witch hazel and coconut oil, to both clarify and hydrate the skin.

    Shop Counter+ Charcoal Bar here.

  • Cream Cleanser that gently removes grease and makeup. This cleanser leaves skin nourished and hydrated. Great for tweens and teens and perfect for sensitive skin and.
    Shop Counterstart Cococream Cleanser here.

  • Acne Cleanser that is safer. It’s hard to find a safe, effective cleanser, but I love this Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser designed for blemish-prone skin,

    Shop Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser

Moisturizer Options:

Ready to make a clean swap? I’m here to help you get started within your budget.

clean beauty, beautycounterEmily GeizerComment