The Ordinary for Teens: Best Products, Routines & Skincare Advice for Teenage Skin

My Recommended The Ordinary Routine for Teens

✅ The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser: A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that removes excess oil, sunscreen and impurities without stripping the skin. I generally recommend this over the Squalane Cleanser for teenagers because it’s quick, easy to use and ideal for oily or combination skin.

✅ Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: One of The Ordinary’s most popular serums for teenage skin. It helps reduce excess oil, minimise the appearance of pores, calm redness and improve the look of blemishes.

✅ Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: A lightweight hydrating serum that helps keep skin healthy without feeling heavy or greasy. Hydrated skin is happier skin—even if you have oily skin.

✅ Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA: A simple daily moisturiser that strengthens the skin barrier and locks in hydration. It works well for almost every skin type and is one of the best moisturisers for beginners.

✅ Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%: A brilliant option for older teens with post-acne marks, redness or uneven skin tone. Always introduce it slowly and patch-test before using. Read more about Azelaic here.

The Ordinary for Teens – Where Should You Start?

One of the questions I’ve been asked the most since starting Deciem Chat Room in 2017 is:

“Which The Ordinary products are best for teens?”

With skincare constantly trending on TikTok and Instagram, it’s easy to feel that you need a shelf full of products. In reality, most teenage skin benefits from a simple, consistent routine, not a complicated one.

This guide is based on my personal experience, thousands of conversations within the Deciem Chat Room community and feedback from over 200,000 skincare enthusiasts. It isn’t medical advice, and if you’re struggling with persistent acne or another skin condition, it’s always worth speaking to your doctor or dermatologist.

Best The Ordinary Products for Teenage Skin

If you’re building your first skincare routine, these are the products I recommend most often for older teenagers:

These products can help target:

Oily skin
Teenage acne
Blackheads
Redness
Dehydration
Post-acne marks

without creating an overly complicated skincare routine.

Shop the products above or keep reading to find out which routine is best for your skin type.

The Ordinary for Younger Teens & Tweens

If you’re one of the younger teens or tweens reading this… hello! 👋

You’ve probably noticed that skincare is everywhere right now. TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are full of routines using dozens of products, and it can make you feel like you need them all.

The truth is… you really don’t.

I love that so many of you want to look after your skin, but your skin is still developing. At this age, your goal isn’t to fight wrinkles or use lots of powerful active ingredients. Your goal is simply to keep your skin healthy.

Remember… you only get one skin, so look after it.

For most younger teens, all you need is:

✅ A gentle cleanser
✅ A simple moisturiser
✅ A good SPF every day

That’s it.

Honestly? Save your money for clothes, makeup, concerts or holidays. Your future self will thank you!

Even The Ordinary Says Less Is More

The Ordinary recently shared some advice specifically for younger people starting skincare, and I couldn’t agree more.

Their advice is refreshingly simple:

Use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser.
Follow with a hydrating moisturiser.
Wear sunscreen every day.
Avoid ingredients such as retinoids and strong exfoliating acids unless you’ve been advised to use them by a healthcare professional.

If you’re struggling with acne or another skin condition, it’s always best to speak to your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist rather than copying someone’s routine from social media.

Cleanse. Then Cleanse Again.

One thing I do wish more teenagers understood is how important cleansing is.

Many of you wear long-lasting foundation, concealer, SPF and setting sprays. Those products are designed to stay on your skin all day, so it’s important to remove them properly before bed.

A clean face is the foundation of every good skincare routine.

When my daughter was a teenager, she loved wearing makeup. We found the easiest routine was:

First cleanse to remove makeup, SPF and dirt.
Second cleanse to properly clean the skin.

She usually started with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, followed by The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser. I also bought a stack of black face cloths so she could use a clean one every evening.

Sometimes it’s these simple habits that make the biggest difference.

The Ordinary for Older Teens

As the mum of a teenager who struggled with acne for several years, I’ve seen first-hand how much it can affect confidence as well as skin.

The good news is that acne doesn’t last forever for most people.

My daughter is now 22, and her skin is so much clearer and brighter. She still gets the occasional breakout (don’t we all!), but she’s learned what works for her skin, and that’s made all the difference.

I hope this guide helps you feel a little less overwhelmed. If you’re just starting your skincare journey, keep it simple, be patient and don’t compare your skin to what you see on social media.

At the bottom of this page, I’ve also shared some brilliant podcasts and resources. The more you understand your skin, the easier it becomes to look after it.

For the teen

Firstly, you are not alone, and I know it doesn´t help you when you hear this, but it does mean that there´s a lot of information out there for you to read up on. But you MUST be picky about who and what you follow!

Following the wrong people could ruin your skin and waste a lot of money!

DON´T follow the latest trend on TikTok, applying acids or mixing up some concoction of seeds, egg and avocado and massaging it into your skin or leaving acids on all night. The other day my daughter FaceTimed me with what looked like bird poop all over her face – another viral skincare Tik Tok video. The next day….”mum, my skin has come up really badly, what should do?”

Keep a Skin Diary

One of the best things you can do if you’re struggling with acne or teenage skin is to keep a simple skin diary.

Acne is rarely caused by just one thing. Hormones, stress, sleep, diet, skincare products, makeup and even the weather can all play a part.

Each day, make a note of:

What your skin looked like.
Which skincare products you used.
Whether you wore makeup.
What you ate and drank.
How much sleep you had.
Your stress levels.
Your menstrual cycle (if applicable).
Any new products you introduced.

After a few weeks, you may start to notice patterns. The sooner you understand what triggers your breakouts—and what helps your skin—the easier it becomes to build a skincare routine that works for your skin.

And remember, your emotions matter too. Stress doesn’t just affect how we feel—it can also affect our skin.

At the bottom of this page, I’ve shared some excellent podcasts from dermatologists and skincare professionals. If you’re serious about improving your skin, they’re well worth listening to.

When Should a Teenager See a Dermatologist for Acne?

If your acne is painful, leaving scars, affecting your confidence or simply isn’t improving with a gentle skincare routine, I would highly recommend seeing a dermatologist if you can.

My daughter struggled with acne for several years. Her dermatologist prescribed a low-dose course of antibiotics for three months, along with a prescription cream, and also recommended a gentle cleanser and sunscreen.

Her skin improved significantly, but she still experienced flare-ups from time to time.

At a follow-up appointment, she was prescribed another topical treatment and a different contraceptive pill that can sometimes help hormonal acne. If her skin hadn’t continued improving, the next step would have been blood tests and possibly Roaccutane (isotretinoin) during the winter months.

Many people suggested trying every reasonable option before starting Roaccutane, so that’s exactly what we did. We looked at her skincare routine, diet, sleep and even reduced dairy to see whether it made a difference.

One thing we noticed was that her skin often became more inflamed during periods of:

Exam stress
Late nights
Lack of sleep
Too much sugar and ultra-processed food
Heavy makeup

When her final exams finished, her skin improved dramatically. It was a good reminder that stress can have a real impact on teenage skin.

Don’t Skip SPF

One of the most important skincare products for teenagers is a broad-spectrum SPF.

Daily sunscreen helps protect your skin from UV damage and is especially important if you’re using ingredients such as salicylic acid or azelaic acid.

Finding the right sunscreen can take a little trial and error. If you’re unsure which one to buy, visit a pharmacy or beauty counter and ask for samples before investing in a full-size bottle.

The best SPF is the one you’ll actually enjoy wearing every day.

The Ordinary Teen Skincare Routine

The Ordinary doesn’t currently offer an official teen skincare routine, but it does provide a Regimen Builder to help you choose products based on your skin concerns.

Below, I’ve shared the best The Ordinary products for teenage skin, including products my daughter has personally used and those that have been recommended by our Deciem Chat Room community over the years.

If you’re just getting started, remember that simple is better. Cleanse, moisturise and wear SPF every day before adding treatment products one at a time.

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!

Buy The Daily Set

The Ordinary for Teens – Simple Morning & Evening Skincare Routine

Always patch-test new skincare products before using them.

If you’re just starting with skincare, keep your routine simple. You don’t need lots of products to have healthy skin.

A Simple Skincare Routine for Younger Teens

For younger teenagers and tweens, less really is more.

Morning

✅ Gentle Cleanser

✅ Moisturiser

✅ SPF

Evening

✅ Gentle Cleanser

✅ Moisturiser

That’s all most young skin needs.

The Ordinary Routine for Older Teens

If you’re an older teenager dealing with oily skin, acne or breakouts, you can slowly introduce a few treatment products.

Morning Routine

Glucoside Foaming Cleanser (or Squalane Cleanser if wearing makeup)
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Broad-spectrum SPF

Evening Routine

Cleanser
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Moisturiser if your skin needs extra hydration

Once a Week

✔ Salicylic Acid 2% Masque (if your skin tolerates it)

Still not sure where to start?

Honestly…

Cleanse + Moisturise + SPF is still an excellent skincare routine for most teenagers.

Finding the Right Sunscreen (SPF)

The dermatologist recommended using an oil-free sunscreen, especially for acne-prone skin.

Brands she recommended included:

La Roche-Posay
Avène
Heliocare Oil-Free

SPF can be expensive, so before buying a full-size bottle, ask your local pharmacy or beauty counter for samples. If they don’t have samples, ask if they’ll fill a small sample pot from a tester so you can try it for a few days.

The best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear every day.

Best Cleansers for Teenage Skin

The dermatologist initially recommended a Eucerin cleanser, but my daughter found it a little drying.

Over time, these became her favourites:

✔ The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

✔ The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser (especially for removing makeup)

✔ CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

Everyone’s skin is different, so don’t be afraid to try a few gentle cleansers until you find one your skin loves.

Don’t Be Afraid to Moisturise

One thing my daughter learned is that acne-prone skin still needs hydration.

When her skin was inflamed, she became scared to apply anything because she thought moisturiser would make her acne worse.

In reality, many acne treatments made her skin dry, tight and sore.

Adding Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 followed by Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA helped keep her skin comfortable and supported her skin barrier.

Things That Made My Daughter’s Acne Worse

Everyone’s skin is different, but these were the biggest triggers we noticed:

Stress (especially exams)
Lack of sleep
Wearing heavy makeup every day
Setting sprays
Fragranced makeup and skincare
Not cleansing properly
Too much sugary food and drink
Too much fast food

Keeping a diary helped us spot these patterns much sooner.

You Don’t Have to Hide Your Acne

Acne can knock your confidence. I watched my daughter go through it, and some days were much harder than others.

But please remember…

You don’t have to cover every spot.

There are some incredible creators online showing that healthy skin doesn’t have to mean perfect skin.

Sometimes, trying to hide acne with lots of heavy foundation can actually make it more noticeable.

If wearing makeup makes you feel more confident, that’s absolutely fine. Just make sure you’re removing it properly every evening.

Makeup Tips for Teen Acne

Makeup doesn’t automatically make acne worse.

The important thing is choosing products that suit your skin and removing them properly at the end of the day.

Some tips that worked for my daughter:

Choose non-comedogenic makeup where possible.
Less foundation often looks better than more.
Use a colour corrector to reduce redness instead of piling on foundation.
BB creams and CC creams can give lighter, more natural coverage.
Always remove your makeup thoroughly before bed.

Learn from Professional Makeup Artists

One of the best things you can do is watch makeup artists who focus on enhancing your natural skin rather than covering it.

I particularly love Lisa Eldridge, and Bobbi Brown also has some brilliant tutorials.

Search for:

Natural makeup for acne-prone skin
No-makeup makeup
Teen makeup routine

A little skincare, a touch of concealer, curled lashes and a good mascara can often make you feel amazing without heavy foundation.

Patch Testing The Ordinary Products for Teens

Whenever you introduce a new skincare product, always patch-test first.

Teenage skin can be sensitive, especially if you’re using active ingredients for acne or oily skin. Introduce one new product at a time and give your skin a week or two before adding anything else. That way, if your skin becomes irritated, you’ll know exactly which product caused it.

A few simple tips:

✔ Always patch-test before using a new product.
✔ Introduce products slowly rather than starting everything at once.
✔ Avoid applying strong acids or active ingredients too close to the eyes.
✔ If your skin becomes very irritated, stop using the product and seek professional advice if needed.

Remember, healthy skin is built gradually—not overnight.

Be Patient & Stay Consistent

One thing my daughter taught me is how easy it is to give up on a skincare routine too quickly.

If she didn’t see a difference after a few days, she’d assume the product wasn’t working. The reality is that many skincare ingredients need 6 to 12 weeks of consistent use before you see their full benefits.

Try not to switch products every week because of something you’ve seen on TikTok or Instagram. Give your routine time to work.

If your skin is becoming increasingly irritated or your acne is getting worse, stop using the product and speak to a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist.

Consistency is one of the biggest secrets to improving teenage skin.

Learn About Your Skin

The more you understand your skin, the easier it becomes to choose the right skincare products.

Keep asking questions, follow trusted dermatologists and skincare professionals, and don’t believe everything you see on social media.

I also highly recommend keeping a simple skincare diary. It can help you identify triggers such as:

Stress
Hormonal changes
Lack of sleep
Diet
New skincare products
Makeup

Below are two podcasts that I highly recommend if you’d like to learn more about teenage skin and acne.

Skincare with Friends – Teen Skin with Nia Patten
Sali Hughes with Dr Anjali Mahto

Knowledge really is one of the best skincare products you can invest in.

Final Thoughts on The Ordinary for Teens

I hope this guide has helped you understand how to build a simple, effective The Ordinary skincare routine for teens.

As a mum, I’ve watched my daughter struggle with acne and low confidence, but I’ve also seen how much her skin improved with patience, consistency and a simple routine. You don’t need a cupboard full of products to have healthy skin.

If you’re an older teen looking for skincare advice, you’re very welcome to explore the guides here on Deciem Chat Room. While we don’t approve posts from members under 18 for safeguarding reasons, you can still learn from years of discussions by searching #teens throughout the community.

Remember—your skin doesn’t have to be perfect. Look after it, be patient with it, and don’t compare your skin to the filtered faces you see online.