The Ordinary Regimens/Routines for Teens
What are the best The Ordinary products for teens? This is a really common question in the Facebook Group but unfortunately, due to Deciem currently not recommending products for under-18s, we no longer approve these posts. However, we have older posts you can read through by searching #teens in the Facebook Group.
The following information is based on personal experience and not from a professional opinion.
Being a mum of a teen who has had acne for many years now, I see how it has affected not only her skin but her confidence. I hope you find this page helpful, and at the bottom of the page, you can find some great podcasts to listen to.
I highly recommend keeping some kind of diary, noting when your skin seems better or worse, listing all the food and drink, stress levels and products you used etc. The sooner you learn what works for you and what doesn´t, the better.
Seeing a dermatologist
If it is possible, I highly recommend seeing a dermatologist. My daughter was put on a small dose of antibiotics for 3 months and was prescribed a cream. The dermatologist also suggested a cleanser and sun cream. Her skin improved a lot, but there are still times when her skin becomes very inflamed and angry.
We have since been back to the dermatologist who prescribed another cream for 2 months and a different contraceptive pill that can help acne. Should her skin not improve, he suggests a blood test and starting Roaccutane in the winter months. Many people have suggested trying everything possible before going on Roaccutane, so that´s what she is doing, including watching her diet and cutting out lactose.
One day her skin can be quite calm, and the next, it’s really red, inflamed and sore. This also coincides with late nights, insufficient sleep, too much sugar, junk food, makeup and stress. We noticed a huge improvement in her skin once all her final exams were over.
The Ordinary Teen Routine
Deciem does not currently have a The Ordinary teen routine, but you can use the regimen builder to help create a skincare routine. Below are some products recommended for teens and ones my daughter has used that she feels helped a little.
The Ordinary Products for teens
- Squalane Cleanser
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Niacinamide
- Azelaic Acid
- Natural Moisturizing Factors
- Salicylic Acid Masque
The Daily Set
If you want to introduce your teen to skincare but they have no particular issues, The Ordinary Daily Set contains the Squalane Cleanser, Hyaluronic Acid and Natural Moisturising Factors. This would be a good place to start. Don´t forget to add SPF!
The Ordinary for Teen Skin
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
This is a lovely cleanser, but it does need to be rubbed between your palms for quite a few seconds (15-30 seconds) until you feel the consistency change to clear oil and teens may not have the patience to do this.
Use this morning and evening.
Niacinamide
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Natural Moisturising Factors
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
A simple morning & evening skincare routine for teens
Always patch-test products before using them!
Morning Routine
- Squalane Cleanser
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Niacinamide
- Natural Moisturising Factors
- Sun Cream
Evening Routine
- Hyaluronic Acid (sometimes)
- Niacinamide
- Azelaic Acid
Once a week
- Salicylic Acid Masque
Sun Cream
The dermatologist suggested oil-free sun creams. The 2 brands recommended were La Roche Posay and Avene.
Cleansers
The dermatologist suggested Eucerin. She finds this a little drying, so she only uses this in the evening. She loves the Squalane Cleanser but prefers something that doesn´t need to be rubbed between the palms for so long.
Hydration
When my daughter’s acne is bad, she´s often scared to put anything on it, but the dryness also makes it sore and painful. The creams prescribed make the skin very dry. She now understands how important hydration is and how much better her skin feels with a little Hyaluronic Acid and Natural Moisturising Factors.
Things my daughter knows make her skin worse
- Stress (exams)
- Makeup
- Lake of sleep – too many late nights
- Not cleansing well
- Too much junk food/drink
Makeup
People often say that makeup makes acne worse, but if makeup makes you feel better and more confident, then use it. Try to use makeup that says non-comedogenic. Less is more. If you can find a good corrector that can take down a lot of the redness, you won´t need to use so much foundation.
Patch Testing
Always patch test products before using and start to layer products very slowly keeping an eye on how the skin responds to more than one product.
Be consistent
If my daughter didn´t see an instant change, she thought it wasn´t working. Some creams can take 3 months to start working. You need to be consistent and have patience. Obviously, if you feel the skin isn´t improving or getting worse after some time, stop using the products and try something else.
Other resources about Teen Skin
Knowledge is key! Do your own research, find professionals that you enjoy watching or listening to and keep a skincare diary.
