We’ve heard the stories of tweens wreaking havoc in Sephora stores and racking up $800 carts full of beauty products. But many of the products in those Sephora bags do not necessarily improve their skin and can damage the skin barrier. When you are under the age of 13—even if you are dealing with acne, your skin does not need that much. A less is more approach to your skincare and makeup routine can actually help Gen Alpha skin versus ruining it. But just because you are young doesn’t mean your skin is absolved from a routine. “Our skin is an organ and requires some level of care at every age,” says Dr. Mona Gohara, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine and ELLE Beauty Advisory Board member. “Tweens should be set with a gentle non-soap cleanser, a moisturizer that supports barrier health, and a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen (or higher) they will use daily,” she says.
A foolproof skin care routine for kids
In the morning, tweens and teens should wash their faces with a gentle cleanser, apply a moisturizer, and then sunscreen. In the evening, they should wash the day away with the same gentle cleanser and lock in hydration with their moisturizer. “After they shower, either in the morning or evening, apply a body moisturizer! Pat, don’t rub the skin and lock in the ambient shower humidity by putting on the moisturizer within minutes of coming out,” says Dr. Gohara.
What do you do if you have a tween with acne?
Look for a cleanser that has salicylic acid wash for their evening facial cleanser. Follow with a retinol/retinoid and close the routine with the barrier repair cream. “The salicylic acid cuts through extra sebum (oil), cleaning out the pore. Retinol/retinoids increase skin cell turnover and help to regulate shedding into the follicle. They prevent and decrease whiteheads and blackheads and can help with residual marks, particularly on brown skin,” says Gohara.
What makeup additives should tweens stay away from?
“Oil-based foundations are a breakout waiting to happen,” warns Dr. Gohara. Look for water-based foundations and skin tints or foundations with anti-inflammatory ingredients, like arnica, to help prevent breakouts. And while tweens and teens love glitter, shimmer, and sparkle, you may want to stay away from it. “Sparkles and shimmers can create irritation on the skin as well,” says Dr. Gohara.
With the Sephora sale underway, it’s a great time to use your newfound knowledge and secure the best skin care products for your tween and teen. The sale goes from April 5th to April 15th. There are thousands of products to scroll through on the site, but you don’t have to: our expert, Dr. Gohara, and ELLE editors picked the best skin care products for your kids at Sephora.
11 Things You Can Buy Your Tween from the Sephora Sale
