Acne is practically a rite of passage in your teenage years, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. As your body changes, so does your skin, often reacting with breakouts triggered by fluctuating hormones and increased oil production. Habits like touching your face, wearing heavy makeup or skipping skin care can also aggravate your skin. 

The good news is that teen acne can be effectively managed with a targeted skin care routine. Prioritizing gentle yet potent formulas helps control breakouts without irritating or over-drying the skin. A balanced approach – focusing on deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation and acne-fighting ingredients – can make a noticeable difference. A consistent approach now sets the stage for a future of clearer, calmer skin. 

What causes breakouts in your teens? 

Acne can feel like an unavoidable part of growing up, but understanding what’s happening beneath the surface can help you manage it more effectively. Here’s a look at the main causes of acne during your teen years: 

Overactive sebaceous glands: Excessive production of oil, known as sebum, is closely linked to acne prone skin. Sebaceous (oil) glands naturally produce sebum, but in your teenage years, they can become overactive. This leads to an excess of sebum, which can clog pores and trap oil and bacteria, thus contributing to breakouts 

Dead skin build-up: The skin sheds dead cells naturally, but in acne prone skin, this process can go haywire, leading to a build-up of skin cells that mix with oil, block pores and result in breakouts. 

Breakout-causing bacteria: Our skin hosts a variety of microorganisms, including acne-causing bacteria cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). As you produce more oil in your teens, C. acnes thrives within your clogged pores, leading to inflammation and breakouts. 

Acne-activated inflammation: Hormonal changes in your teenage years can also trigger inflammation when clogged pores become infected, causing the skin to become red, swollen and painful. This can delay healing and worsen breakouts. 

Lifestyle factors: As a teen, it can be easy to neglect basic skin care habits. Not washing your face regularly, touching your face with unwashed hands or sleeping with makeup can introduce dirt, oil and bacteria to your skin. Lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of sleep and an unbalanced diet can also trigger or worsen acne. Establishing a consistent skin care routine and improving your daily habits can help you manage breakouts. 

Your acne at-home agenda for your teens 

In the morning: pore thing, soothing reset mist, daily meds, SPF  

Start your day with a gentle cleanser that washes away grime without over-drying – pore thing is perfect for this. It helps clear out any dirt and oil, leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean. Follow up with a refreshing toner like soothing reset mist to calm redness, hydrate and keep your skin balanced throughout the day. 

Next, think about keeping your skin barrier strong. This barrier is your skin’s natural defense and needs a little extra help when dealing with breakouts. Daily meds is a non-drying, daily-use serum that treats acne while keeping your barrier strong, helping it fight off future breakouts.

Finally, be sure to protect your skin from the sun. You probably already know how damaging UV rays can be, but they’re also a major acne trigger. Try raydefense for a lightweight, moisturizing shield. 

In the evening: pore thing, soothing reset mist, daily meds, spot defy

Battling breakouts doesn't have to be complicated – in fact, keeping it simple is your best bet for a clear complexion. We’ve designed your morning and night routine to be almost identical, with just one extra product to target any stubborn spots. 

Dab spot defy in a thin layer to affected areas, and let it do the hard work overnight. This fast-acting spot treatment clears acne and allows it to heal without the potential irritation of benzoyl peroxide. Skin is clearer, smoother, calmer in the morning. 

The bottom line is to stick to a consistent routine – clear skin is all about finding what works for you and doing it every day.