This is not a sponsored post — I wish! This is real life.
I was shocked to see my teen daughter’s medicine cabinet the other day. It looks like a Sephora store. It’s true that PickyKidPix, now 14 years old, is obsessed with skin care. She’s watched beauty YouTubers for a zillion hours. She has asked for acne starter kits from her relatives for birthday and Christmas gifts for the past two years.
She’s also a bit of a hypochondriac. If she has the slightest rash on her face, she demands to go to the dermatologist. Once, I caved and actually took her. It was the fastest dermatologist appointment on the planet, with our nice derm trying to stifle a smile.
Suffice it to say, that most of these skin care beauty products are hers. Both my teen daughters have combination skin, with an oily T zone. They get mild to moderate acne depending on a monthly cycle. They both handle it very, very differently though.
Grasshopper and Sensei, now 16 years old, are a little too low maintenance. I tried Proactiv’s X Out for her because it was just one step she could use in the shower. She didn’t like the medicinal odor so she refused to use it. I wanted to prevent acne scarring, so I finally came up with a low-maintenance solution for her that is working beautifully.
Low-maintenance teen acne solution STEP 1:
Use Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser with the Clarisonic in the shower once daily.
Low-maintenance teen acne solution STEP 2: Spot treat with drugstore benzoyl peroxide gel.
PickyKidPix has tried EVERYTHING. Her issue is that each acne regime works beautifully for one month during which her skin looks great. But it stops working after that. Her skin is a little more delicate and prone to dryness than her sister’s but both have combination, T-zone skin.
Many of the face washes were too drying for her skin.
Even Proactiv did not work for her.
She tried Aesop, Clinique, Kate Somerville, and Fresh skin care lines. She is religious about using spot treatments at night including Mario Badescu. Her pediatrician at her last check-up told her that her 7-9 step acne program was not working. He let her try one final product line. If that failed, he wanted to prescribe acne medication for her.
(I personally have tried the Fresh and Proactiv products and I think they work great for adult acne.)
PickyKidPix found the perfect acne solution for her particular needs. It’s called Curology and it’s like Proactiv but with a dermatologist in the mix that you can constantly bug consult who will adjust your monthly products. Their website lets you upload photos of your skin, and a dermatologist assigned to your region gets back to you in a timely manner.
Does my daughter consult with her Curology dermatologist? Oh yes, she does! I get my money’s worth right there. She showed me her account and they are practically besties! She sends in photos several times a month, on average. Her formulation has been adjusted accordingly, and her skin has finally cleared up.
Our product recommendations:
Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Cleanser, $21
Clean and Clear 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, $5
Curology, $19.95 per month.
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We walked into the drugstore when my second daughter saw her first acne (age 12.) Asked the pharmacist lady what she’d recommend. She said “Witch hazel.” That worked perfectly and within 24 hours. Amazing!
Later her friend recommended Clearasil pads. She uses both and it’s working. I personally can’t imagine spending subscription $$ and lots of time and energy on acne stuff; happy to know other options are out there should things change. Thanks!
Graciela
Hi Graciela,
I think simple is better too! I use witch hazel every day myself as a toner and Cetaphil to cleanse. I’m glad your daughter’s acne is very light and manageable.
I had acne many years ago. I see on YouTube many videos to solve this problem with homemade solution, like using … Lemon, Tomatoes ect. Maybe your daughter can watch these videos and also make her own when she finds the perfect way to get rid of acne. But I understand why she is occupied with this. Lots of pressure on teenager girls to look great.
Thank you for sharing your YouTube videos! I’ll let my daughter know. She likes trying all natural ingredients too!
They have an arsenal of products. Teens years are so tough when it comes to acne. Feel for them both. I still have a T-zone area and I’m 65. Didn’t realize that a dry face caused more oil.
Hi Patricia,
I have that T-zone area issue too! I find I have to change my face routine with the seasons. Winter is so drying here in Boston.
Thanks, this was informative! My 15-yr-old son is well on his way to amassing a collection like your daughters’. The Curology line looks interesting — will have to check it out.
Hi Andrea,
It’s so frustrating to amass a collection of acne products that don’t work long term! My daughter is having a lot of success with the Curology and she’s stopped asking to go to the dermatologists now that she has one one call! 🙂
Intriguing! My acne has been worse as an adult than it ever was as a teen.
Hi Mary Anne,
I have a mom friend who had perfect clear skin until she had kids and then her skin changed. The hormones from pregnancy must have somehow permanently changed her skin. Frustrating!