skincare for teen boys — all aflutter

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 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. 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 tell 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. 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