I recently had one of my followers reach out asking for recommendations for her son’s oily teenage skin - specifically what to shop for in places like CVS, Walgreens or Target. Skincare for teenagers is a subject I really care about. I’ve been passionate about helping kids celebrate the skin they are in ever since I worked as Beauty Editor on CosmoGIRL! over twenty years ago. And now, I do just the same with my student mentor program, THE LAB . Please check it out. The articles are so good - my mentees only write totally honest reviews. Plus, there are zero ads!
✍️ READ THE LAB: A 14-Year-Old’s Guide to Surviving Skincare FOMO
A few weeks ago, I asked my lovely dermatologist friend Dr. Justine Kluk to come onto my podcast, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®, to talk through the best products and routine for teenage skin. I love Justine’s approach because she’s such a realist. We sat down to chat about this whole phenomenon of teens becoming obsessed with skincare, using all the wrong things, and how we can actually guide them to build a simple routine that works.
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So, if you’re trying to help the teens in your life find the best products for their skin, start by reading Justine’s expert advice below, and then give them the shopping list that follows, that’s derm (and me) approved!
A Dermatologist’s Guide To Teen Skincare
The 4 Skincare Products Teenagers Really Need:
A Gentle Cleanser
Lightweight Moisturizer
Sunscreen
ONE treatment step (if they have spots)
1. What is the biggest mistake teens make with oily skin?
Justine pointed out a huge trap that teenagers fall into when their skin starts getting congested:
“They think: I’ve got oily skin, so I’ll buy a cleanser that’s designed for oily skin. I’ll buy a moisturizer that’s designed for oily skin, then I’ll use the treatments as well. And actually, if everything there is intended to reduce oil on your skin, it’s going to tip over the edge and get too dry.”
The Expert Fix: Keep their cleanser and moisturizer super gentle, and let one active treatment step handle the oil and spots.
2. How many skincare products do teenagers actually need?
Piling on ten different products doesn’t just irritate the skin - it can actually trigger lasting issues. As Justine explained:
“The more things you put on your skin, the more you expose yourself to different chemicals... We are increasing our risk of allergy, and that is really sad when that happens.”
3. Should teenagers use retinol or anti-aging serums?
No! We had a laugh about how obsessed everyone has gotten with ingredients like retinol, but Justine made a really important distinction: most over-the-counter retinols are meant for slowing down signs of aging, not for treating oily teenage skin.
4. Do pimple patches actually work for teenage acne?
Justine is a massive fan of pimple patches. Not only do they help flatten spots faster, but they act as a physical barrier to stop kids from picking and squeezing (which is what leads to scarring). Plus, with brands making them so fun to wear now, it’s turned spot care into a fashion statement rather than something to hide.
🛒 The Shoppable Target List for Oily Teen Skin
I took all of Justine’s tips and mapped out an easy, budget-friendly run through Target. These picks give teens that effortless, clean-skin result without stripping their skin barrier.
🧼 What are the best drugstore cleansers for teen skin?
The Goal: Cleanse twice a day without stripping the skin tight.
Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser: Justine and I both adore Byoma. The bright packaging makes it appealing for teens, and the formulas are ultra-gentle and barrier-safe.
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser: This transforms from oil to a gentle foam. It’s brilliant for clearing away excess oil while using gentle ceramides to keep the skin barrier intact.
💧 What are the best lightweight moisturizers for oily skin?
The Goal: Keep oily skin balanced so it doesn’t over-produce oil.
Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream: Justine specifically called out this on the podcast. It’s an oil-free gel that soaks in instantly without feeling sticky.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer with SPF 30: A fabulous 2-in-1 SPF/moisturiser for teens who hate layering extra creams. It gives sun protection while actively soaking up shine to leave a clean, matte finish.
🧪 What are the best drugstore exfoliants for blackheads?
The Goal: Unclog pores and cut through blackheads. Use once a day!
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%: Salicylic acid (BHA) is the absolute gold standard for getting deep into pores and dissolving blackheads.
Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment (🇺🇸 only): An affordable toner blending gentle AHAs and BHAs to sweep away oily dead skin cells overnight.
🎯 What are the best drugstore acne spot treatments?
Goal: Clear active breakouts without irritating the whole face.
Target Up&Up 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment (🇺🇸 only): A gentle leave-on spot cream. 2.5% benzoyl peroxide kills acne bacteria almost as well as stronger 10% formulas, but with way less stinging and dryness. So it’s great for sensitive skin.
PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash (🇺🇸 only): Keep this one in the shower! It’s an absolute lifesaver for teens dealing with both face breakouts and “bacne.”
Differin Acne Treatment Gel (Adapalene 0.1%) (🇺🇸 only): An over-the-counter retinoid specifically tested and formulated for acne (not anti-aging) to keep pores clear.
Starface Hydro-Stars: The viral yellow star patches that combine hydrocolloid protection (no scarring) with pore-clearing salicylic acid.
Mighty Patch Invisible+ by Hero Cosmetics: Completely clear patches. Perfect for kids who want to wear one to school or sports practice without anyone noticing.
What skincare ingredients should teenagers avoid?
To save money and protect their skin, tell them to skip:
Anti-Aging Retinol Serums: Purely for mature skin and totally unnecessary for teens.
Harsh Physical Scrubs: (Remember those old apricot scrubs we all used years ago? Avoid!) Scrubbing just inflames breakouts and forces the skin to make more oil.
10-Step Routines: Piling on five different serums is the fastest track to red, irritated skin.
At the end of the day, skincare should be joyful and simple! I hope this shopping guide helps you guide the kids in your life to really love the skin they’re in.
And please don’t forget to share this article with someone who might find it helpful…