Teens embrace skincare routines for confidence, health

Starting and maintaining a simple skincare routine during your teenage years is essential for healthy skin and building lifelong self-care habits. Sticking to this routine daily will help produce the best results—though patience is key, as it can take several weeks to see visible improvements.

According to an article published in dermatology times, adolescence is the perfect time to establish good skincare habits. “Teenage skin goes through rapid changes, and neglecting it can lead to long-term issues like scarring or sun damage,” the article notes. “Starting with a basic routine early helps teens not only manage acne and oil but also learn discipline and self-respect.”

But what do teens themselves have to say?

Adaline Ebensberger, a senior who enjoys wearing makeup daily but struggles with oily skin, believes having a consistent skincare routine is both common sense and crucial. “Skin care is important, and, yes,I follow the same steps every morning and at night if there’s time. My number one rule is never going to bed with makeup on,” she said.

Her routine she recommends  includes:

1. Cleansing with a CeraVe cleanser to remove dirt and oil in the morning, after showers, and sometimes at night.
2. Moisturizing with a lightweight skin protectant to prevent dryness and maintain the skin barrier—also from CeraVe.
3. Sunscreen (SPF 30–50) every morning to protect against harmful UV rays. “I always remind myself it helps prevent premature aging and lowers the risk of skin cancer,” she said. “Cleanse, moisturize, SPF, repeat—it’s the most manageable and effective routine to start with.”

Senior George Robe also emphasized the simplicity and effectiveness of sticking to the basics. “I used to just splash water on my face and call it a day,” he admitted. “But now I use CeraVe cleanser at night too. It’s affordable, effective and great for sensitive skin. I started using it off and on around 15, and since then I’ve noticed fewer breakouts and blemishes, which I definitely appreciate.”

Juniors Megan Engdaul and Abby Mott take a more minimal approach but still agree on the essentials. “I’m more of a night skincare person,” Engdaul said. “The biggest mistake teens make is using too many products too fast. My skin is more dry and needs hydration, so I recommend just sticking to the basics of cleansing and moisturizer.”

Mott added, “Starting with a basic routine early helps teens not only manage acne and oil but encourages self-care, one step at a time. Social media has really helped make skincare more accessible and even trendy. Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram are full of skincare tips, product reviews and ‘get ready with me’ videos that show how different people care for their skin in a million different ways. I love watching them sometimes.”

As for me—the author—I personally love my own detailed but simple routine. I use a higher-end cleanser by Youth to the People, which according to their website is an award-winning face wash formulated with superfood antioxidants from kale, spinach and green tea—to give your skin the ultimate cleanse. With this I believe it’s worth the price for the extra clean finish. I follow the same routine of cleanse, moisturize, SPF, but  after I cleanse I use the Vitamin C egf by Inkey List serum, which essentially brightens your complexion while reducing the appearance of blemishes. Then I moisturize the Youth to the People moisturizer and apply Supergoops mineral Glow screen.

Skincare in high school isn’t just about looking good. It’s about learning self-care, building confidence and establishing habits that carry into adulthood. A consistent routine can make a big difference—not just for your skin, but for how you feel in it. By establishing and maintaining this simple skincare routine, you’ll promote healthy skin and develop self-care habits that can last a lifetime.