Back-to-school season is almost here. If you are a teen or a tween (or you know a teen or a tween) struggling with acne, you know the enormous stress those red bumps can cause the night before school starts. Your outfit may be fire, but you cannot help comparing yourself with everyone else and their social-media glow-ups.
In fact, social media is a huge part of the problem for this demographic. Whether it’s the heavily filtered aspirational images that make teens and tweens feel anxiety and depression about their looks, or it’s the flood of confusion over the best skincare routine for teens, or conflicting information about acne treatments, the pressure and stress are real and damaging. One of the worst things about the teen-tween-social-media-acne soup is that it can make kids feel isolated and alone. But in real life, the statistics  say otherwise:
- Acne afflicts at least 50 million people yearly, making it the most common skin condition in America.
- About 85% of people between 12 and 24 experience acne on some level. That’s almost 9 out of 10 kids in biology class!
Here at Apex Skin in Northeast Ohio, we want to provide a source of reason, reassurance, and hope, cutting through all that confusion with science-based acne solutions for teens and tweens.
Understanding Tween and Teen Acne
First of all, what even is acne and why do so many tweens and teens suffer from it? And how can teens prevent acne? Is it possible? Let’s examine the facts:
What is Acne?
Acne happens when bacteria, dead skin cells, and excess oils clog your pores and hair follicles. If you look closely at your skin, you can see those little openings where sweat and natural oils called sebum come out. Sebum has a purpose: it moisturizes and protects your skin. However, during adolescence, your body produces a lot more of it, which can increase its pore-clogging action, leading to inflamed, sometimes painful pimples and other types of acne bumps. The scientific word for acne is “acne vulgaris”, which fits.
Why Are Tweens and Teens More Prone to Acne?
Anyone can get acne, even babies and adults. But it most commonly flares up at the onset of puberty when your androgen hormone levels explode as you grow from childhood to adulthood. Increased androgen levels dial up the oil glands in your skin to inflammatory levels.
Sorg adds, “There are several contributing factors that play a role in causing acne for tweens and teens: inflammation, increased or excessive oil on the skin, diet, genetics, and hormones to name a few.“
Some teens get a few little zits, but others have incredibly painful, widespread cystic acne. You may also have a genetic predisposition to acne: if your mom or dad had acne as a teenager, your chances of having acne are higher too. So, guess what? It’s not your fault you have acne. Can you do something about it? Yes. Yes, you can. First, you can stop believing the myths about acne that might be holding you back from clearer, healthier skin!
8 Common Acne Myths
Social media is swimming in myths about everything, and acne is no different. Here are a few you might have heard from your favorite influencer, your aunt, your dad, or that infuriating kid in algebra with unreasonably good genetics who never seems to have a zit. So, let’s get these myths out of the way:
1. Poor hygiene causes acne — Nope. In fact, washing and scrubbing too much and using harsh, abrasive products can make your acne worse. Sorg agrees, “One misconception about acne that I encounter is that the skin needs to be cleaned with harsh cleansers or scrubbed with special tools like scrubbing brushes. Acne is an inflammatory condition that can be made worse with this type of cleansing. Using gentle cleansers and washing with the pads of the fingers doesn’t add to inflammation, therefore not contributing to worsening acne.”
2. Eating greasy foods causes breakouts — Also no. The science isn’t there. The science does indicate, however, that refined carbs with a high glycemic index may aggravate breakouts.
3. Popping pimples will make them go away faster — No, no, no! Popping pimples can increase inflammation, spread bacteria, lead to infection, and cause long-term acne scars. So, don’t do it.
4. Only teenagers get acne — Wrong again. Although it is more common throughout adolescence because of hormonal fluctuations, anyone of any age can experience acne.
5. Getting a tan can clear up my acne — That’s a hard no. Excess sun exposure or tanning can worsen breakouts and lead to premature aging and deadly skin cancer.
6. The acne will go away on its own… eventually — We are happy to tell you that you don’t have to wait forever for your acne to leave. Your dermatologist can help you with a skin care regimen and acne treatments that can clear up your acne faster than it would if left alone.
7. Moisturizers and makeup make acne worse — That depends. While some products like these can clog pores, many moisturizers and makeup brands do not. And moisturizer is essential to effective acne treatment! So look for “non-comedogenic” skincare products vetted by your dermatology provider.
8. Once you start acne treatment, it will clear up instantly — Another falsehood. Sorg explains: “A misconception about acne treatment is that it should start to improve acne right away. I always discuss the fact that with all acne treatments, we should not expect to see improvement for at least 6 weeks. I encourage patients to be patient and diligent with their treatment, and if needed, the treatment can be adjusted after a 6-week period if it’s not effective.”
Don’t Lose Hope: Acne and Mental Health
Acne isn’t just a skin-deep, superficial issue. It can be so painful, physically and emotionally. Navigating the pitfalls of acne during the tween and teen years can hurt your self-esteem, body image, and mental health in ways that lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation. Being an adolescent is hard enough with the stresses of school, relationships, and the intense pressure to “fit in”, especially now that social media makes that need seem even more (artificially) urgent than ever.
If you’re the parent of a teen or tween, Sorg offers this advice: “Parents can support their child’s self-esteem by complementing the child as they notice improvement in acne, and giving positive feedback when the child is following through with the treatment plan.”
If you feel hopeless, alone, or lost about anything, please reach out to someone you trust and get help! You are worth it. You are not alone.
If acne is the cause of your distress and you live in Northeast Ohio, reach out to Apex Skin. We can help you get rid of acne, so you can start feeling better!
The Importance of Your Back-to-School Skincare Routine
The more you know about science-based skincare, the more power you will have to manage and prevent acne breakouts and set yourself up for healthier skin for life. Start an intelligent skincare routine now and follow it every day. A consistent, daily, skincare routine will become a good habit that makes your skin healthier and less prone to breakouts long-term.
Start before you go back to school and get into a good skincare routine so that on that first day of school, you’ll just naturally do it without having to think about it. It really needs to be a habit. Forgetting or getting off track with skin care can lead to more acne flare-ups. So, stay consistent and enjoy clearer skin!
Here are the basics of a strong teen and tween acne skincare routine (backed by science) so you can slay all day when school starts. One thing to note: If this is too much, at the very least, Sorg suggests that “Parents can help their children establish a good skincare routine by encouraging them to wash their face twice a day with a gentle cleanser, moisturize their skin, and to wear sunscreen daily with an SPF of 30 or higher.”
1. Cleanse
Gently cleanse your skin twice a day with a recommended cleanser. If you get sweaty in PE or after sports, cleanse again as soon as possible afterward. This will keep dirt, sweat, and excess oils from collecting on your face and blocking your pores. Wet your face with clean water and use your fingers to massage the cleanser gently into your skin. Don’t scrub with rough washcloths or tools that might irritate your skin. And please, continually resist the urge to pick at your acne. That will only make it worse.
2. Moisturize
The right, non-comedogenic moisturizer can help your skin avoid acne breakouts, so do not skip this step. Drying out your face too much can make your oil glands increase oil production to compensate for the dryness. Balance is the key. Ask your dermatology provider for moisturizer recommendations specifically for acne-prone skin.
3. Sun Protection
Use a non-comedogenic sunscreen on your face every day. This will not block your pores, but it will protect your skin from sun damage that can bite you later in life—skin cancer. The more sunburns and tans you get when you’re young, the more likely you are to develop skin cancer. Avoid tanning beds too. There is no such thing as a “healthy tan” or a “base tan.” It’s just a form of skin damage and premature aging.
4. Choose Skincare Products Carefully
Avoid any skin products with harsh active ingredients and look for products specifically labeled as non-comedogenic so they won’t clog your pores. You also want to try to select acne treatments that won’t dry out the skin. Sorg adds, “I always recommend using a bland moisturizer after application of topical acne treatments to help combat the dryness.”
5. Shampoo Regularly
It’s common for teenagers with oily skin to have oily hair too. And the oils from your hair can get onto your face, especially on your forehead. So, shampoo regularly and try to style your hair away from your face.
6. Keep Your Hands Off Your Face
Make a conscious effort not to touch your face throughout the day. Touching your face transfers extra dirt and bacteria to your face, which worsens breakouts. And if we’ve said it once, we’ll say it a million times: do not pop your acne. This can make breakouts worse and lead to scarring.
7. Follow Your Dermatology Provider’s Treatment Plan
Once your child has established a regular skincare routine, Sorg suggests to then come visit your dermatologist or schedule an appointment with her at our Avon office. “I would recommend that parents consider bringing their children to a dermatology practice for acne treatment after they have established a good routine for washing twice a day and possibly trying an over-the-counter acne product like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid without improvement or if the child’s acne is worsening.”
Consistency is key, and patience wins. Your dermatology provider will examine your skin and create a treatment plan best suited to your situation. Give it time to work and don’t give up. It can take a few weeks to a few months to achieve clear skin, but you will if you keep up with this back-to-school skincare routine every day.
Acne Solutions for Teens: Acne Treatment Options
Of course, if you’ve been struggling with acne, you’ve no doubt wandered up and down the drugstore aisle with the over-the-counter acne treatments and wondered what would work best. Perhaps you’ve even tried some. Sorg recommends looking for products with the following ingredients:
Over-the-Counter Acne Treatments
Before exploring the vast array of over-the-counter (OTC) products for acne treatment, it’s important for parents to consider dermatologist-recommended options like the Apex Skin line. These products are specifically formulated with effective active ingredients to address acne and other skin issues, ensuring safety and efficacy for your teen or tween.
Sorg advises caution when selecting products: “Many OTC options are available, but choosing the right one can be challenging. It’s best to avoid products meant for more mature skin, particularly those labeled as anti-aging. For teens or tweens with dry skin, steer clear of products containing benzoyl peroxide as they can be more drying or irritating.”
For teens and tweens with relatively mild acne, several OTC acne products can help clear up breakouts and prevent them with regular use:
- Non-prescription retinoid Adapalene—OTC retinoids work best in conjunction with staying out of the sun or applying a non-comedogenic sunscreen.
- Salicylic acid—This ingredient dissolves dead skin cells and removes the very top layer of damaged skin to prevent the pores from clogging.
- Azelaic acid—This natural acid is anti-inflammatory and kills bacteria that aggravate acne flare-ups.
- Benzoyl peroxide—If your teen has strong acne and doesn’t have sensitive or dry skin, then consider benzoyl peroxide. This attacks the acne-causing bacteria that causes flare-ups. It works well in conjunction with other products that address other acne aggravators.
However, we understand how difficult it can be to know what to purchase on your own. There are so many options! Our aesthetic dermatology team is also available for complimentary evaluations to build you the best skincare regimen, just for you. Email them at aesthetics@apexskin.com with questions or to book a free consultation.
Prescription Acne Medications
For more severe cases of acne, your dermatologist may recommend prescription-strength acne medications. These may include products with prescription doses of the ingredients listed above, as well as antibiotics that you would need a prescription for:
- Topical antibiotics—You often use these along with a benzoyl peroxide-based cleanser to help the antibiotic treatment work longer.
- Oral antibiotics—Doxycycline, minocycline, and sarecycline are oral antibiotics that your dermatologist may prescribe for a limited time to treat moderate to severe acne.
- Oral contraceptives—For women and people assigned female at birth, oral contraceptives can help regulate hormone fluctuations that can worsen acne.
- Steroids—Some steroid injections can help reduce the inflammation within especially large, painful nodules of acne.
There are other new developmental treatments out there, but Sorg cautions: “There are many treatments available on the market such as red light masks, and I would caution parents to be very selective when choosing them. It’s important to have the child evaluated by a dermatology provider to help choose an appropriate treatment. In our office, we have a treatment available that can be very helpful in addition to traditional acne treatments for the right patient called the Stellar M22 IPL.”
In the end, the best acne treatment is one that is tailored to your individual situation. It often requires a combination of products and treatment options, especially if your acne is severe. Your dermatologist can work with you to find the right combination for you.
Acne and Lifestyle Factors: How Can Teens Prevent Acne?
Debi Sorg is one of our excellent dermatology Nurse Practitioners from our Avon office, who specializes in helping tweens, teens, and everyone else say goodbye to acne. With her expertise in finding the right combination of products and treatments for long-term breakout solutions, she also emphasizes the critical link between acne and lifestyle factors.
Acne and Diet
While the old tales about greasy foods causing acne are myths, nutrition does play a significant role in overall health and, specifically, skin health, including acne. According to Sorg: “Like many medical conditions, patients struggling with acne can benefit from leading a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet and avoiding processed foods and excessive dairy products is recommended.”
Hygiene Habits
Establishing a regular skincare routine is essential. Teens and tweens lead busy lives and often prefer to crash at the end of a long day instead of washing their face. However, Sorg strongly recommends: “Regularly washing both in the morning and at night, as well as soon after any activity that causes excessive sweating or dirt buildup—like a sports practice, game, or match—can significantly improve acne.”
Stress Management
Stress can interfere with sleep and hormone levels, which sleep helps to repair and balance. As a teenager, managing stress and homework can be challenging, but prioritizing sleep and stress relief is crucial. Your body and your skin will thank you.
Conclude: Back to School Skincare for Teens and Tweens
We know you understand the assignment of back-to-school skincare, and all of us here at Apex Skin will help you however we can. As you strive to take good care of your overall physical and mental health, your acne can get better and heal. We can provide personalized acne treatment and products, and we can help treat hyperpigmentation and acne scarring that remain after the breakups disappear.
Debi Sorg is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner with Apex Dermatology. She grew up in nearby Avon, Ohio and started her career in the medical field as a Medical Assistant over 20 years ago. As a Medical Assistant, she discovered her love for dermatology where she worked for almost 10 years before becoming a Registered Nurse.  As a Registered Nurse, Debi worked in clinical research and in Labor and Delivery while completing her Master of Science in Nursing degree at Walsh University.
Debi enjoys working with patients to help them achieve healthy skin through various treatments and education. Her interests are in both general and cosmetic dermatology and she is excited to see patients of all ages.
