In my day, spots were a teen issue, but with kids entering puberty earlier, tween acne is becoming even more common, which is why it’s important to find ways to help.
So, what is acne?
Acne usually appears on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders (these areas have the largest number of sebaceous glands). If these glands become blocked with oil, makeup or dead skin cells, acne can form. The experts at Salcura tell us the different types include:
- Whiteheads and blackheads - these are created when the openings of hair follicles become blocked. If these lesions are open and at the surface, they’re called blackheads, if they’re closed and slightly raised they’re whiteheads.
- Papules (or pimples) appear as small raised bumps of inflamed or infected skin. These are often red and tender and become pustules when they have pus at the tip.
- Nodules are large, solid and painful lumps that sit beneath the surface of the skin - they are formed by the build-up of secretions deep within the hair follicles.
Why does acne occur?
- Hormones are the most common reason
- Poor diet
- Stress
- Not removing make-up effectively
- Medication
- You may just be generically prone to them!
What can be done?
Natural skincare brand Odylique, says a good skincare routine plays a key role in managing pre-teen and teenage skin. During puberty the skin is more prone to breakouts because of the fluctuations in hormones. A rise in hormones can cause the sebaceous glands to become over-active, resulting in the increased production of oil. If this oil isn’t washed or cleansed away, it can cause a blockage on the skin, trapping bacteria and leading to acne. It’s really important to wash and cleanse the face to remove impurities and to help stop the spread of bacteria. How?
Cleansing
Keeping the face clean is important (we recommend washing at least twice a day). Opt for a sulphate-free cleanser and avoid the extremes of harsh drying alcohol-based products and oil-rich creams.
Odylique Purifying Lemon & Tea Tree Facial Wash is an effective non-comedogenic (ie doesn’t clog pores) face wash for teens prone to pimples and spots. It’s a mild, antiseptic and packed with nourishing actives to leave the skin cleansed, clean and refreshed. With antibacterial tea tree, detoxifying lemon and soothing mineral-rich aloe vera juice, this cleanser can help keep skin in tip-top condition.
Salcura has developed the Antiac range that’s been especially formulated for those with acne. Salcura Antiac Daily Face Wash is a gentle, effective 
product for days when skin is calmer and Antiac Face Wipes offer a convenient way to cleanse on the go. For bad skin days, Salcura recommend the Antiac Liquid Spray which sinks deep into the skin, ensuring nourishment of cells early on in their lifecycle. This spray provides deeper cleansing than a face wash or lotion might do.
Alba Botanica’s Acnedote Deep Pore Wash includes Salicylic Acid (naturally derived from Willow Bark Extract), which digs deep into pores to unclog gunk, helping to banish existing spots and prevent new ones.
Avoid Exfoliators
The experts at Odylique say it’s wise for those with acne to steer clear of products or exfoliators that contain abrasives or granules as they can hurt the skin (especially if it’s already sore and sensitive). Avoid rough wash cloths and use a warm clean cloth or sponge instead. Encourage your tween or teen not to 
touch their face too often - fingers can add oil to the face, irritate existing spots and even encourage them to pick, which could leave scarring.
Dealing with breakouts
We all remember acne flare-ups. When no matter what you do, your skin is on a mission to recreate the surface of Mars. Odylique Spot-On Serum has is packed with superpower botanicals like echinacea and lavender, it can be applied just to affected areas. The soothing and repairing ingredients can really help to ease the discomfort of breakouts.
Salcura Antiac Gel Serum can be applied after cleansing to specific spots for targeted treatment and can show visible results within just four hours. Tisserand’s Tea-Tree+ Anti-Blemish Stick and Dead Sea Magik Spot Gel are also great for breakouts, applied directly they can soothe and reduce spots.
The low-down on makeup
The best thing for acne is to avoid skin makeup, but that’s not very realistic. So encourage your teen to wear a natural brand so there are less nasties to aggravate the skin. Get them to use a small amount, rather than slathering it on, as this allows the skin to breathe. It’s also important to dab rather than rub makeup into the skin, and be cautious with brushes as they can cause irritation. Finally, make sure they cleanse properly as old makeup causes pimples!
Moisturising
At night, avoid moisturisers and allow the skin to breathe. Alternatively try Odylique’s Balancing Citrus Super Tonic. This facial spritz can be used to cleanse, tone, close pores and balance sebum secretion, and with more oily or combination skin it can be used as a moisturizer.
If you’re looking for the full package, Green People’s Clear Complexion Kit, contains three essentials for teen skin care and is packed with Witch Hazel, Rosehip, Willow Bark, Prebiotics & Pineapple.
On top of a good skincare routine, encourage your teen to look after themselves. Make sure they rest well, drink plenty of fluids, eat vitamins and other nutrients that can help the skin - things like fatty fish, lemons and garlic … plus, if certain foods make the skin flare up, get them tested for allergies, or remove those foods from their diet.