As the body enters puberty it goes through a lot of changes and hormonal shift is the biggest change in the body that leads to several developments in a teenager’s body. 

Due to such massive hormonal imbalance in the body it might even lead to hormonal acne breakouts on the face which might be quite concerning for a teenager. 

This happens due to increased levels of androgen hormone which triggers the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil which could clog the pores of the skin and further cause acne breakouts.

For teenagers dealing with hormonal acne breakouts, they require a simple yet effective skincare routine which involves less complex steps. So a face wash must be an ideal choice as it is already a part of daily routine and does not require extra efforts. 

The best face wash must be able to gently lift the buildup from the skin which might cause acne without the skin moisture barrier at all. It should deliver a balanced approach for the skin as teenagers have a slightly delicate skin. It could help teenagers a lot in getting rid of acne breakouts and improve their skin appearance.

The reason for hormonal acne in teenagers

During puberty or the teenage years of life the body goes through immense changes and hormonal changes contribute largely to that. The body starts producing androgens in excess amounts. This increased androgen levels in the body can directly trigger the sebaceous glands. 

This makes the sebaceous glands hyperactive and they start producing excess sebum. This sebum is thicker and sticky and it sits on the surface making the skin look shiny.

The sebum stops the natural shedding process of dead skin cells and it leads to accumulation of dead skin cells on the skin along with sebum. This sticky mix of impurities could clog the pores of the skin along with other impurities buildup. 

These clogged pores can result in acne breakouts as the acne causing bacteria acts inside these oxygen deprived pores. Stress could trigger the cortisol levels and they increase the sebum production as well. 

These hormonal acne can occur mainly around the chin, jawline and the lower face regions and can be categorized as deep and painful acne bumps on the skin. 

Main ingredients for dealing with hormonal acne breakouts

For dealing with teenage hormonal acne breakouts it is important to select the active ingredients which help in clearing out the acne breakouts while gently clearing the skin.

• Salicylic acid: The main key ingredient which delivers a deep pore cleansing action to clear out acne. It is a beta hydroxy acid which has an oil soluble nature that allows it to reach the deep pore linings of the skin by crossing the oil barriers. It works by dissolving the impurities from inside the pores and clears them out to prevent acne breakouts.

• Benzoyl peroxide: The best over the counter ingredient that could be used for dealing with acne breakouts for teenagers. Must be selected in a very mild concentration like 2.5% to 4% in a foaming face wash formula. This ingredient works by directly delivering oxygen to the pores which kills anaerobic acne causing bacteria and prevents acne breakouts.

• Tea tree oil: A natural antibacterial agent that helps in controlling acne by targeting the cell walls of the bacteria which kills them and further acne breakouts on the skin. It also helps in calming and soothing the skin which helps in calming the inflamed and painful acne.

• Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3 and this ingredient works to regulate the oil production in the skin by signaling the sebaceous glands to act normally. It also helps in calming the skin and soothing inflammation due to acne breakouts on the face. It also helps in preventing formation of dark spots due inflamed acne marks.

Ingredients that must be avoided

Teenagers must most certainly avoid some ingredients in their face wash in order to prevent more acne breakouts and keep their skin protected.

• Harsh cleansing surfactants like sulphate based surfactants
• Heavy oil and butter based comedogenic ingredients
• Highly volatile drying alcohols
• Strong fragrant and irritating ingredients

Right application method for face wash

Teenagers must build a proper safe cleaning routine for using a face wash daily. It is recommended to cleanse their face twice daily to get effective results from their face wash.

• Wash hands properly first before washing your face
• Then wash your face with water
• Take a required amount of face wash in your palm
• Apply it to the face by gently massaging it properly
• Massage the face wash for 30-60 seconds
• Then rinse off with water
• Pat dry with soft towel

Skincare routine after face wash

Morning time

• Apply a suitable toner during morning
• Always apply moisturizer that suits your skin and does not feel heavy
• In the day time always use broad spectrum SPF on a daily basis

Night time

• Apply a moisturizer after face wash which is suitable for night time.

Common skincare tips to prevent acne breakouts

• Don’t apply too many acne care products at once which might cause skin irritation or more breakouts
• Do not try to pop or prick any of your active pimple
• Manage stress levels
• Focus on general self-care habits
• Eat a proper diet which involves less oil and carbohydrates
• Maintain a proper sleep cycle
• Avoid using strong actives without consultation
• For teenage girls avoid wearing makeup often

Summing up

Teenagers are very conscious about their skin and dealing with hormonal acne breakouts can be even more stressful. This is why they require gentle yet effective solution for this like a proper face wash which helps in reducing acne breakouts while preventing future acne without causing more problems. It should be used in routine to get rid of acne breakouts eventually.

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