skincare for teen boys
FRIENDS ASK me often about skincare for teenage boys. Because I have two spectacular teenage boys of my own and because, it turns out, there’s little actual useful information out there to address their unique needs. I’m a life-long lover of skincare, so when it came time for my guys to start a regular hygiene routine, I knew I wanted to give them something that would be gentle, effective and clean. I’m always researching clean skincare, but I’ve now also done some pretty extensive research about teen skin, mostly because I love to geek out on this stuff, and I’m happy to share with you the highlights of what I’ve learned to save you the trouble of an AI rabbit hole [unless you also love it]. The gist is that there just are definitely some things unique to boys’ skin and I think it helps to understand a bit of the science.
TEEN BOYS sustain a MASSIVE surge in testosterone during puberty [duh]. This surge does some great things, like help them build muscle and strong bones, but it also means they’re now more susceptible to acne on their face, chest and back. Testosterone stimulates the sebaceous glands, causing them to become enlarged and produce more sebum [oil], which in turn makes boys’ skin more vulnerable to acne than girls’ skin and/or can make the acne more widespread or stubborn. Hormones also start to thicken the hair on teen boys’ faces, often bringing shaving into the mix, which can be super harsh on their skin as well. Boys just do have thicker skin [physically, not metaphorically] that can make it a bit less sensitive, BUT boys’ skin changes tend to peak later and last looonger than girls. OY.
SO WHAT do you do about it? Well, lots and also not too much. In my experience, the key to successful hygiene for boys is to keep it simple, but those few steps taken seriously and done diligently can make a HUGE difference. The main key is to CLEANSE everyday, ideally twice a day, morning and night. Something gentle is great, consistency is key. They should lather that stuff all over their face, hairline, behind the ears, and on the neck. If keeping it in the shower helps them remember to use it, great. If you have a kid who’s willing, you can follow that up with a toner or serum.
MY OLDER son has been using Tower28’s SOS Rescue Spray religiously for a few years now and I swear it’s pure magic. It’s a hypochlorous acid spray that helps neutralize acne-causing bacteria, reduce redness + inflammation and promote healing and it’s SO effective [I use it post-workout]. We’ve turned several friends onto it with similarly awesome results. If your dude is willing to add just one more easssssy step, this is hands-down the one [or could be the only one if they really won’t wash]. Follow up with a gentle moisturizer on their freshly cleansed face and call it good [dryness leads to over-production of oil, which gets everything off balance and then not great things happen]. Add a good spot treatment or some zit patches if needed and then they can carry on with their lives. Teens should avoid anything active in their skincare. Products made for more mature skin can damage teens’ gorgeous developing skin barrier and cause the exact problems they’re trying to avoid. No thanks.
CHANGING pillowcases a few times a week and using a clean washcloth each day eliminates a ton of bacteria exposure that thrives on both of those surfaces [eeew]. And I know it should seem pretty obvious, but showering is also super important. Use actual soap and clean all the bits, including backs to help mitigate ‘bacne.’ Even boys that aren’t super athletic are sweating on the regular. Sweat is a breeding ground for bacteria and that fuels acne and bacne so they just need to wash. Athletes should ideally use a face wipe or wash their face as soon after sweaty practice as they can. Keeping sporting equipment clean, especially helmets with chinstraps, gym benches and anything that regularly touches skin can also help minimize the bacteria buildup.
AND FOR THE love of all things holy, please remind them to avoid touching their face as much as possible. Hands are… gross. Again, bacteria and teen skin are not buddies. Wash hands regularly or use hand sanitizer. Put a patch on while doing homework if hands tend to wander absentmindedly. DON’T PICK. It seems sooo satisfying in the moment, but will make things waaay worse and can cause scarring. They should sit on their hands if necessary and leave their poor face alone, it’s doing its best. Drink water. Minimize junk. Go outside, have fun with friends, walk the dog, listen to music, bake, draw or whatever helps minimize their stress level. That’s it.
THESE ARE general guidelines, useful to all teens and really all people. But if acne is persistent and/or causing emotional distress, see a dermatologist. There is a lot they can do to help and there’s zero shame in doing so. No skincare product or clean pillowcase can fight Mother Nature, so if she’s winning, go see a professional. Good luck, lads. This too shall pass and good habits now will bring with them a lifetime of benefit. Promise. I’ve shared below a few great skincare products that are gentle and effective for teens, the real key is to find one they’ll actually use and use consistently. For more products, check out my whole Skincare for Teen Boys collection on ShopMy or the Gift Guide to Self Care for Tweens + Teens. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo
Skincare for Teen Boys
+ I LOVE Tower28 for so many things, but their skincare products are absolutely brilliant for teens. They’re the first skincare line to follow the ingredient list set out by the National Eczema Association and take reactive, sensitive skin VERY seriously. My son has been using the SOS Rescue Spray for a few years now and it’s SO awesome for keeping skin balanced and happy. They were at the forefront of the hypochlorous acid wave and I still think SOS is the best one out there [and smells less like a swimming pool than others we’ve tried]. He quickly adopted the whole SOS 3-Step Skincare line and it’s perfect for anyone who wants a simple, super effective, gentle routine. If you want to test it out or have extras for travel, start with the SOS Mini Starter Gift Set, it’s everything you need. +
+ JB Skrub is a cool skincare line, co-founded by actress Julie Bowen, formulated especially for teen boys. They keep it real with face and body care that sticks to the essentials, plus some rad old school Face Pads that remind me of my childhood. The packaging doesn’t look like mom’s skincare and it’s pretty reasonably priced. They also carry some mini sizes to test out or for travel, which is so handy. +
SHOP FROM JB SKRUB or ULTA
+ Cocokind is another fantastic clean skincare line perfect for teens [or anyone]. They have a wide range of products, a handful of which are also endorsed by the National Eczema Association. You can shop their site by concern, including blemish-prone, sensitive and dry. My son loves the Postbiotic Acne Serum, a gentle salicylic acid layer that works really well. Their products are perfect for teens, simple but def not basic. And it’s super reasonably priced, which is awesome. +
+ Bubble is a great budget-friendly option for teens. They have a huge range of fragrance-free products to choose from, but the Soft Launch Cleanser and Slam Dunk Moisturizer are great gentle, no-fuss options for boys that just want to wash and go. The packaging is very cute and appealing, but pretty innocuous if that’s an issue. You can shop by skin concern, too, like sensitive or acne-prone, which is helpful because their product line is big. And everything is under $20. Yay. +
SHOP FROM BUBBLE or ULTA
+ Doré is French-inspired skincare in the simplest, most approachable package. They set out to develop the ‘white t-shirt of skincare’ so you can spend less time getting ready and more time living your life, making it perfect for teen boys. My son has used and loved Le Cleanser [I use it everyday myself] and La Creme. It’s a perfect no-fuss, super clean, super effective routine. Plus ALL Doré products are EWG Verified, meaning they adhere to the very strictest standards for ingredient safety, Oui Oui Oui. +
+ Ok, I get this is not the manliest of packaging, but if your dude can get over it, Sincerely Yours is skincare formulated especially for teen skin, meaning it’s designed specifically to protect developing, young skin and skin barriers. The product line is concise and appropriate and they have some minis, too. +
+ If you have a guy who definitely does care about the packaging and likes brands he’s seen on socials, the Based Daily Skincare Duo is a good option for getting the job done in an easy, cleaner way. It includes a facial cleanser and moisturizer and they have a Skin Revival Spray [hypochlorous acid], too, if they want to take an extra step. + $36
+ Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes are a one-step solution perfect for after sweaty practices, on the road or for teens who can’t be bothered to actually wash their face in the sink. Just swipe one of these handy 4-in-1 wipes across your face and neck and you’re set for cleansing, exfoliating, soothing and hydrating. Done and done. + from $6.50
+ Starface Hydro Stars + Salicylic Acid are super effective for nurturing pesky breakouts. Regular colloidal patches are great for covering up and nurturing breakouts or keeping yourself from touching them while you’re watching TV, but the addition of the salicylic acid in these makes them awesome for helping to heal spots quickly. I think they’re pretty magical and the little travel compact is super handy. + from $7.99
+ If colorful stars just aren’t your thing, stick with the OG neutral Hero Mighty Patches. They magically protect blemishes in a subtle, nearly invisible way and keep you from touching vulnerable spots with your dirty fingers. If you can feel one of those pimples coming from waaay deep down, try the Mighty Patch for Early Stage Blemishes with salicylic acid that target those pesky things before they even form. + from $6.99
+ This Solawave Bye Acne Blue + Red Light Treatment is awesome. It’s designed to target single blemishes and fade acne marks, so you hold it directly over your spot for 3 minutes to zap it. The blue light kills bacteria and the red light reduces inflammation. I think it’s pretty darn effective for individual spots and is totally medicine-free. + $69
+ Kitsch Satin Pillowcases feel super luxe and help protect sensitive skin and hair while you sleep by reducing friction. My boys love theirs. They come in a zillion colors and patterns and they have some really cool collabs, too, like Star Wars. They’ll only roll their eyes at you until they lay down and feel how silky and nice they are. + $26
+ If you want to go for the real thing, the Quince Mulberry Silk Pillowcases are dreamy. In addition to reducing friction, the silk is also naturally hypoallergenic and won’t absorb all your precious skincare while you sleep, allowing your fragile skin to maintain its moisture. I know it seems bougie, but if you have a kid who’s really struggling, this might help and if nothing else, they’ll feel a bit special, which totally counts. I’ve been sleeping on mine for years and love them. + $44.90
+ Washcloths are a serious breeding ground for bacteria [EEEW], so using a fresh one each day or at least every few days keeps you from wiping that bacteria all over your clean face and vulnerable breakouts. Geometry Waffle Washcloths are soft and quick-drying, won’t get all stinky when they’re balled up [you know they will be] and come in nice neutral colors. They're awesome for travel or sweaty practices, too. Use Darcie15 for 15% off your Geometry order. + $16+
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