Teenage Skincare 101: Navigating Acne and Finding Your Glow - A guide to understanding and managing teenage skin.

So, let’s get real for a second!

Acne can feel like a total vibe-killer; who on earth would like those pesky little red bumps, right?

Well, truth be told, no one likes acne and you are not alone if you dislike pimples, zits or whatever you like to call them. 

But then, acne is completely normal and actually a part of the process of growing up. 

Your skin’s just adjusting to all the changes happening in your body, and with a little care (and some amount of patience!), you’ll be glowing in no time.

Let’s start with some acne myths and facts

Let’s start with some myths that just need to go!

• Eating chocolate causes acne.

Nope, there is no direct link, but then, too much chocolate could cause other problems, which is why moderation is key. 

• Tanning clears up acne. 

The sun can temporarily dry out your pimples but chances are high that it will make things worse in the long run.

• More washing means less acne. 

Nope – the more you wash, the more you strip the natural oils and that can make your breakouts worse.

Let’s get into the ‘how-to’ of managing acne-prone skin

So, what is acne?

Acne is basically your skin’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m going through some stuff” and this could be anything from hormones to stress, or even your diet. See, what happens is that the pores of your skin produce oil and that can mix with dead skin cells and bacteria and that is what leads to pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads.

As gross as it might sound, there are actually ways to handle it all and here is how you do it:

Step 1 – Keep your hand off! 

It’s so tempting to touch your face, but trust us when we say, you need to keep your hands off of your face! Your hands carry dirt and bacteria that can make the acne worse. So, hands off and let your skin breathe.

Step 2 – Cleanse but don’t overdo it

Washing your face twice a day is like brushing your teeth, absolutely essential, but you don’t have to overdo it. If you wash your face too many times, you are stripping your skin of all its oils and that can actually make your skin freak out and produce even more oil. It is important that you choose a gentle cleanser that is designed for your skin type or for acne. For instance, you can find teenage acne solutions at Tikitoro, which are created specifically for acne prone skin. 

Step 3 – Moisturise even if your skin looks oily

Here’s the deal: oily skin still needs hydration. Skipping moisturizer can make your skin produce even more oil to compensate, but if you feel that your skin is looking and feeling super oily, then you can choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer. Our anti-acne gel moisturiser is perfect, because it is super light, non-greasy, and gives your skin the hydration it deserves.

Step 4 – Your best friend – the sunscreen!

Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach, guys. Acne treatments can make your skin sensitive to the sun, so SPF is a must. A lightweight, non-greasy formula is ideal and you can find the perfect option at Tikitoro. 

Step 5 – Zap those zits!

When a big pimple pops up right before a major event, it’s tempting to go into full-on attack mode. But picking, squeezing, or scrubbing only makes things worse. However, there is a way to zap that zit – try an acne spot corrector, which is packed with pimple-busting ingredients that will work like magic.

The dos’ and don’ts for a clear skin routine

When you are setting up the routine for skincare for teens, you need to remember that it is not just about the products you use (well, you do need to make sure that you buy good quality products like that of Tikitoro), but also certain habits that you need to inculcate. 

• Drink water like it’s your job, because hydrated skin is happy skin.

• Stress can make acne worse, so find your chill – whether it’s in dancing or painting, gardening or just staring at the walls!

• We’re not saying no to pizza (never!), but try adding some fruits and veggies to your plate, because your skin will say thank you for that.

• Change your pillowcase often and clean your phone screen regularly, because trust us when we tell you that they are grosser than you think.

• Have a morning routine in which you use a gentle face wash to cleanse your face, apply a lightweight moisturiser and then do not forget the sunscreen. 

• Similarly at night, remember to cleanse your skin once again with a gentle facewash to remove all the dirt and oil of the day. 

• In case you have any breakouts, use our acne gel.  

• And once every week, you can use a gentle exfoliator, to remove dead skin cells and you can also treat yourself to a hydrating or soothing face mask. 

But what if nothing works? What if even the best routines don’t do the trick?

If your acne is severe or causing scars, it might be time to see a dermatologist, who would be able to recommend treatments like prescription creams, oral medications, or even procedures to help your skin heal.

But here is the truth - your skin doesn’t define you. Acne is just a phase, and it doesn’t make you any less amazing. Confidence comes from owning who you are, flaws and all. 

Skincare isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about finding what works for you and sticking with it. Your confidence comes from within and of course, you have teen skincare products from Tikitoro to help you along the way!