Tween & Teen Skincare Trends: What's happening and what you need to know

If you have a tween or teen in your life, you’ve probably noticed their growing obsession with skincare. And it's definitely different than what I experienced growing up the late 80's and early 90's (oh hi there Lip Smackers and Wet N Wild). Thanks to TikTok, YouTube and a stroll through Sephora, skincare is no longer just a necessity - it’s a full-blown hobby for this younger generation. And as a mom myself (my daughter Ava is almost 9 and already making a beeline for the lip gloss and sheet masks), I completely understand the excitement. But, just like with adult skincare, there’s a right way and a not-so-great way to approach it.

What’s Trending in Tween & Teen Skincare?

Let’s be real—kids today are more informed than we were at their age. They’re reading ingredient lists, layering products, and talking about things like ‘barrier repair’ and ‘slugging’ before they even need their first pimple patch. But here’s the catch—more doesn’t always mean better. Over-exfoliation, too-harsh actives, and using products meant for adult skin can do more harm than good. And while it’s fun to play, skincare at this age should focus on balance and protection rather than complex routines.

The Big California Ban: What’s Changing?

In an effort to protect kids from potentially harmful ingredients, California is the first state to officially ban the sale of certain cosmetic and skincare products to anyone under 13. This means products with ingredients like certain chemical exfoliants, strong retinoids, and even some popular acne treatments are now off-limits for young shoppers. The goal? To prevent young skin from being exposed to harsh chemicals that can lead to irritation, sensitivity, or even long-term damage.

While some might argue this is overkill, it does highlight an important conversation: not all skincare is safe for young, developing skin. Just because it’s trending on TikTok doesn’t mean it belongs on your child’s face!

The Right Way to Approach Tween & Teen Skincare

As a skincare professional (and a mom), my advice is to keep things SIMPLE. My recommendations for kids over 10 (who certainly do not Retinol, Acids or a 10-step routine) include just a few quality basics to keep their skin healthy without overloading it. Here’s what I recommend:

*For Teens (Ages 13+)

1. A Gentle Cleanser – Kids are active! They sweat, touch their faces, and get into all kinds of things. A mild, non-stripping cleanser is a must to wash away dirt and oil without compromising the skin barrier.
2. A Lightweight Moisturizer – Even if their skin isn’t ‘dry,’ keeping it hydrated helps maintain a strong, healthy barrier and prevents overproduction of oil.
3. Sunscreen – Those that know me, also know my mantra on sun exposure. A dose of responsible sun exposure is essential to human health - we all need sunlight. However, protection from over exposure in young skin now means fewer sunspots, wrinkles, and damage later. I use an EWG verified mineral based sunscreen on my kiddos. 
4. A Targeted Spot Treatment (Only When Needed!) – For my teenagers with an occasional breakout, a simple, teen-friendly spot treatment and/or cleanser with a mild amount of Salicylic Acid can work wonders—no need for aggressive acne regimens.  

*For Tweens (Ages 8-12)

At this stage, skincare should be all about keeping things light and fun while still fostering good habits. Most tweens don’t need much more than a simple routine to keep their skin clean and comfortable. But if they’re eager to join the skincare world (and let’s be honest, many are), here’s what I suggest:

1. A Gentle Cleanser – A mild, non-stripping cleanser at the end of the day is perfect for washing away sweat, dirt, and whatever else they’ve gotten into.
2. A Hydrating Chapstick or Lip Gloss – If they want to participate in the beauty craze, a nourishing lip balm or gloss with minimal ingredients is a safe and fun way to start.

That’s it! No need for harsh toners or exfoliants—just the basics to encourage good hygiene and self-care.

Ava's Sheet-Mask recipe:

My Ava loves to come into the clinic and mix up her own skincare concoctions and "recipes" - she developed this sheet mask - which is simple and great for all skin types and ages (even my 4 year Joey enjoyed this mini-treatment!)

Ingredients:

1. Compressed Cotton Sheet Masks - We use these from Amazon
2. Thermal Spring Water - This is our Fav brand
3. Lavender Essential Oil (note: this should be either a hydrosol version or pre-diluted with water

**Place the Compressed Cotton Sheet Mask in a small bowl, spray with Thermal Spring Water until drenched - the kids LOVE watching the compressed cotton mask magically "grow"! Then add a small amount of diluted Lavender EO or Hydrasol.

My Thoughts on Makeup

When it comes to makeup, I personally don’t find it necessary at this age. With my daughter, I really love to focus on healthy skin and natural beauty as the primary goal. Teaching tweens to care for their skin first lays a great foundation for the future. That said, a little lip gloss never hurt anyone! If they’re experimenting, I always recommend looking for clean, non-toxic ingredients to ensure they’re using products that are safe for their young skin. When taking Ava into Sephora for a gloss or lip product, we shop the "Clean at Sephora" brands. See also my brand recommendations below. 

My Top brands for Tweens & Teens (and babies!)

There are a ton of great products out there that are safe, effective, and (let’s be honest) fun to use. Here are my favorites for young skin:

✨ EverEden– Fun packaging and an enticing array of facial cleansers, moisturizers, detangling hair products, lip products, baby care items and they also featured bundled value sets and fun accessories like headbands, hair brushes and cosmetic bags. Note: they do incorporate some lovely scents in their products that are non-synthetic and phalate free! EverEden is giving my readers a 15% discount here!

✨ Babo Botanicals – A tried and true brand that I have used for years on my kiddos. They feature bath and body options, baby care products, hair care products and mineral based sun protection. They make an AWESOME spray sunscreen that is non aerosol. Shop Babo Here

✨ Think Sun – This is our family's favorite sunscreen brand for any extended sun exposure. Their formulas are incorporate 100% mineral based ingredients and are EWG verified. We love the ThinkKids SPF 30 and the ThinkBaby SPF 50 stick. Check out the brand here on Amazon

✨ Klee Naturals – This is a new one for me! And I'm really happy I stumbled across their website. They feature fun and vibrant packaging that really speaks to this age group. They opt for only natural, non-toxic and wholesome ingredients. They offer play makeup/tween makeup, bath and body products and water based nail polish. Check them out here

✨ Earth Mama – This personal care brand got me through pregnancy and the "4th trimester" with their belly products, nipple balm, post natal care products. And I just adore their products for baby (and beyond!). Shop Earth Mama here.

Final Thoughts

As much as I love seeing kids take an interest in skincare, it’s important to guide them in the right direction. The goal should be to care for their skin, not overload it with unnecessary products and questionable ingredients. If you’re unsure what’s best for your tween or teen, we are always happy to offer you some advice and steer you in the right direction. Let’s set them up for healthy habits now, so they’re glowing for years to come!

Have a teen that needs some professional direction?

Book a Teen Remedy for a customized treatment designed for their current skin type and conditions and a thorough chat on an appropriate homecare plan - taking all the guess work out! Schedule here

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The opinions expressed are my own and based on my experience as a skincare professional. Always consult with a dermatologist or healthcare provider before making any changes to your or your child’s skincare routine.