Skincare for young people before puberty

How old do you need to be to use skincare?

Many parents ask when it is time to introduce skincare. The answer depends on the skin, but skin can change as puberty begins – often around the age of 12.

When it comes to skincare designed for adult skin, it is a slightly different story. Many active ingredients are unsuitable for very delicate and sensitive skin - which many pre-teens have. Young skin therefore simply needs to be strengthened and kept in balance without being exposed to unnecessary chemicals, fragrance or harsh ingredients.

See our range of fragrance-free skincare. 

What to look for when choosing skincare for pre-teens

Skincare for very young skin should be gentle, mild and moisturising. When choosing skincare products for young skin, it is a good idea to look for the right certifications, skin type and sun protection.

• Certifications: For very young skin, it is always a good idea to pay attention to ingredients and potential allergens. Certifications such as Dermatologically tested, AllergyCertified and Fragrance-free are good indicators that skincare products have been tested and assessed to make them as beneficial as possible for young and sensitive skin.
• Skin type: Skincare products are often developed for a particular skin type or age group - and categorised accordingly. By looking for the skin type young skin or sensitive skin, you can find the products best suited as gentle skincare for pre-teens.
• SPF: Sun protection is important at every age, especially for vulnerable skin. Children and young people are more susceptible to sun damage because their skin is thinner, contains less melanin and is generally less robust. You should therefore choose sunscreen with a high SPF and ideally also face creams with SPF. 

Read about how we ensure the quality of our products at ECOOKING

Ingredients to look for in skincare for very young skin

Very young skin generally does not need much. But to protect vulnerable skin from drying out and strengthen young skin for the changes that await during puberty, gentle and moisturising ingredients like these can help.

• Hyaluronic acid
• Aloe vera
• Shea butter
• Cucumber extract
• Natural oils such as apricot kernel oil, argan oil, almond oil and sunflower oil
• Glycerin
• Provitamin B5

Read about all our ingredients here

Ingredients to avoid in skincare for very young skin

You should avoid the ingredients that an adult with mature skin would normally look for. Young and vulnerable skin should be spared powerful antioxidants and ingredients that boost cell renewal, reduce pigmentation spots and fine lines, stimulate collagen production and firm the skin.

• Vitamin A / Retinol
  
• Vitamin C
• AHA and BHA acids (Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid)
  
• Peptides e.g. Argireline

Generally avoid active ingredients such as acids and highly active vitamins, and hold off on strong serums and powerful masks.

Read also: How to get rid of oily skin and spots

Skincare routine for pre-teens and teenagers

Before the teenage years, skincare is not necessary. But if there is an interest, here is a simple guide to the products that benefit young skin. The products can be used morning and evening.

1. Gentle facial cleanser: Whatever your age, your skin can benefit from a gentle facial cleanser to remove dirt and pollution from the skin’s surface. Our Skin Balance cleansing mousse is light and foaming and gently removes dirt from the skin without irritating or drying it out.
2. Moisturising face cream: Your cleanser will inevitably remove some of the skin’s natural oils, so you should always follow cleansing with a face cream. Our Skin Balance face cream contains natural hyaluronic acid and nourishes, moisturises and protects the skin.
3. Sun protection: Sun care is one of the most important steps in a skincare routine, and that applies to children, young people and adults alike. Make applying sunscreen a natural part of your morning routine to protect your skin from UV radiation all year round.
4. Lip balm: To provide extra moisture to particularly exposed areas such as the lips, you can finish by applying a natural lip balm. Our Multi Balm cares for dry and irritated skin and can be used on the lips and other dry areas such as knees, elbows and hands. 

All skin types are unique and have different limits. Remember to pay attention to your skin’s signals and stop using a product if your skin reacts negatively to it, for example with a rash or dryness.

Read also: How to create a good facial cleansing routine

Struggling with oily skin, blemishes or spots?

Puberty often leads to increased oil production, which can result in spots and blemishes. A mild cleanser and a moisturising face cream that does not clog pores can make a big difference. In addition to daily cleansing and moisturising, a weekly mud mask can help absorb excess oil and reduce blackheads. 

Although you may feel like drying out your oily skin, this will only make it worse. The more oil you remove, the more your skin will produce. Instead, apply a moisturising cream that hydrates deeply and brings your skin back into balance.

If you wear makeup, remember to remove it in the evening with a gentle facial cleanser.

See our products for blemish-prone skin here

Natural products for young or mature skin from ECOOKING

Your age affects your skin’s resilience and needs. Mature skin can handle more active ingredients than young skin, which needs more calm, moisture and protection to stay in balance. 

At ECOOKING, we create skincare products that benefit your particular skin. We select caring ingredients so your skin can enjoy nourishing vitamins, antioxidants, oils and plant extracts through effective and gentle care.

Shop skincare products for your skin type here