Here I’m going to share some straightforward beauty tips that every teenager can follow. Whether you’re looking to maintain glowing skin, healthy hair, or strong nails, this guide covers it all with product recommendations and routines that are easy to follow.
Know Your Skin Type
The most important first step is knowing your skin type. This will determine how you should care for it. Here’s how to tell which one you have:
- Normal Skin: Your skin feels balanced, not too oily or too dry.
- Dry Skin: Tightness and flakiness are signs of dry skin. You’ll need a richer cream to keep it hydrated.
- Oily Skin: If your skin is shiny throughout the day, you have oily skin. But don’t skip moisturizer—just pick a light, oil-free option.
- Combination Skin: Oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) but dry elsewhere? You have combination skin. This is the most common type in teenagers.
Remember, any skin type can also be sensitive. Most teenagers have either oily or combination skin, but it’s important to adjust your skincare as your skin changes over time.
As a general rule in your teenage years you skin will be combination or oily.
Your Daily Routine
Step 1: Cleansing
Cleansing is essential to remove the impurities (free radicals and pollution) your skin accumulates throughout the day. It’s important to cleanse at least once a day, especially before bed. Here’s how to get it right:
In the shower: Use a foaming cleansing gel, which works effectively to cleanse and refresh your skin.
Recommended products:
- Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear Facial Wash (200ml)
- Clearasil Skin Perfecting Face Wash for Sensitive Skin (150ml)
Exfoliant option:
- Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear Daily Exfoliator (150ml) – £4.50
If not in the shower: You can use a milk-textured cleanser paired with a toner to remove any cleanser residue or makeup. Clearasil and Botanics offer convenient makeup-removing wipes for quick use.
After Cleansing:
Always follow up with a moisturising cream to replenish your skin’s moisture.
Product Recommendations:
Cleansing gels come in various types, depending on your skin’s needs:
- Creamy and gentle: Ideal for sensitive or dry skin.
- Foaming anti-bacterial: Best for oily skin or skin prone to comedones (blackheads usually found on the nose and chin). These leave your skin feeling refreshed.
You should start with a foaming gel but can switch to a gentler option as your skin changes over the years.
Recommended Brands:
- Neutrogena: Established in 1930, Neutrogena is widely available at reasonable prices and caters to all skin types.
- Sukin: Known for gentle, vegan-friendly products, Sukin is perfect for young, sensitive skin.
Extra Tips:
You can find 2-in-1 products that combine a cleanser and eye makeup remover, but these may not always suit your specific skin type. It’s better to use a separate eye makeup remover, such as L’Oreal or Nivea, available at Boots for around £5.
When it comes to cleansers and toners, though some products combine the two, it’s more effective to use them separately since they serve different purposes. Opt for gentle versions unless specifically labeled for oily skin.
Step 2: Moisturising
It is essential that after cleansing your skin, you use a moisturiser to replenish the moisture in the skin that you have “stripped off” during the cleansing”. This is where a good moisturiser comes in.
Daytime Moisturiser:
Always choose a moisturiser with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Even though you’re young, it’s much easier to prevent skin damage early on rather than trying to repair it later.
- For everyday use, SPF 10 or 15 is sufficient (perfect for places like London).
- If you’re going on holiday or spending a lot of time outdoors (especially in the sun or skiing), switch to SPF 30 or higher.
- For full protection, SPF 50 or 60 acts as a sunblock. You can layer this over your regular moisturiser if needed.
Why SPF Matters:
The sun is responsible for 80% of skin aging, so using SPF daily is crucial to keeping your skin youthful and healthy.Nighttime Moisturiser:
At night, you can skip the SPF and simply use a hydrating cream to repair and nourish your skin while you sleep.
With so many products on the market, it can be confusing to choose the right one. Don’t worry—just make sure the product matches your skin type, and you’ll be fine!
Weekly or Bi-Weekly Routine: Exfoliating and Masking
Once a week, or every two weeks, it’s important to exfoliate and use a mask for a deeper skincare treatment. Follow these steps for the best results:
Step 1: Steam (10 minutes)
Start by steaming your face to open up your pores. You can use a facial steamer or lean over a sink filled with hot water, covering your head with a towel to trap the steam.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Use a gentle exfoliator with a small, grainy texture to remove dead skin cells. Rinse off afterward. Some mild exfoliators are gentle enough for daily use, but a weekly routine is sufficient.
Step 3: Mask
Apply a mask that suits your skin type—either hydrating, anti-bacterial, or a deep-cleansing clay mask. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Step 4: Moisturise
Finish the routine by applying a moisturiser to restore hydration.
Tip: If you get blemishes, use an anti-blemish stick. Instead of applying it directly, use a spatula to cut a small amount and apply it to the blemish to keep the product clean and effective.
For the Hair
Always use a separate shampoo and conditioner, just like with cleanser and toner. All-in-one products often have conflicting functions, so it’s better to use them separately for the best results.
If your hair becomes dry as you get older or if you start dyeing it, switch to an extra moisturizing product designed for hair. Apply it to damp hair and leave it on for extra hydration.
If you use heat tools like GHDs or curling tongs, always apply a heat protectant spray beforehand. Try to avoid using these tools every day, as they can damage your soft, beautiful hair. If you start dyeing your hair, opt for organic hair colours, which are much gentler on your hair.
Body Care
If your skin feels a bit dehydrated, it’s important to start moisturizing your body daily. The best time to do this is right after your shower, as your skin is still slightly damp and will absorb the moisturizer better.
There are so many gorgeous, scented products available—take your time to find something you love.
- Body Butters: The Body Shop’s butter creams smell divine and provide excellent hydration. However, they can be time-consuming to apply since you have to scoop them out with a spatula.
- Body Lotions: For quicker application, try the body lotion equivalents, especially those with a pump. They’re just as effective but much more convenient to use.
Nail Care
Always start with a base coat to protect your nails, followed by two coats of your favourite nail varnish. Finish with a top coat to protect the colour and help it dry faster.
If you only have time to paint your nails on weekends, apply the base coat and varnish, then consider using a drying spray from Boots to speed up the process—they’re super helpful!
When you’re not wearing nail polish, use a nail or cream moisturizer, or apply a clear nail varnish that promotes growth and strengthens your nails.
One of the best products on the market for nail strength and growth is Nailtique—it really works.
Makeup: Enhance Your Features Without Overdoing It
Starting to wear makeup is exciting, but it’s important to keep it natural and subtle. The goal is to enhance your features, not to make yourself look older. Here’s how to do it right, with some of my favourite product recommendations.
For the Skin:
To create a natural base, choose a light coverage product like a BB cream. You can find great options at Boots or Superdrug. When selecting a shade, try it on your face, not just on your hand, and check it in natural daylight. The goal is for it to be nearly invisible—apply it only to your cheeks and around the nose. Avoid putting it on your forehead unless you’re going for an ultra-natural look.
For a pop of colour, use a cream blusher that you can blend with your fingers, which looks more natural than powder. I recommend the KIKO Stick Blusher for £10—easy to apply and gives a fresh, dewy finish.
For the Eyes
Start with an eye shadow primer to keep your eyeshadow in place. If you don’t have one, you can use a concealer, but it won’t last as long. My go-to primer is the NYX Eyeshadow Primer, only £9 from Boots or Superdrug.
Once primed, play with fun eye colours! Pick a mix of cool and warm shades to match your mood or occasion. For affordable and high-quality products, check out KIKO—they have an amazing variety, or go for Bourgeois if you want a great texture and reasonable price (around £7). Superdrug always has new collections worth checking out.
Essential Makeup Brushes
You only need a few key brushes to create great makeup looks. Here’s what I recommend:
- Main medium eyeshadow brush for applying all-over colour.
- Small eyeshadow brush for more precise application.
- Small thin angle brush to define the eyes and create sharp lines.
- Soft round blending brush for a flawless blend.
Prices
- These brushes typically cost between £8 and £10.
- If you also want a foundation brush, they’re around £10 as well, and often cheaper than department store brands.
- Check out Real Techniques, which is great for foundation and concealer brushes, available at Boots or Amazon.
- For high-quality brushes at a more affordable price, you can also try Kryolan in Covent Garden.
IMPORTANT! Remember to clean your brushes regularly with a brush cleanser or mild shampoo to keep them in great condition!
For the Lips
Lip glosses are fun and give a great shine, but if they dry out your lips, apply a lip moisturizer underneath. If you want a bit more colour, opt for a glossy lipstick that still keeps your lips hydrated.
Bonus Tip – Teenage Beauty Books
As a makeup artist, I can’t recommend Bobbi Brown’s “Teenage Beauty” enough! It’s so much more than just a makeup guide—it covers everything from embracing a positive attitude to leading a healthy lifestyle, boosting self-confidence, and most importantly, accepting your beauty both inside and out. This book teaches young women how to use subtle makeup techniques to enhance their natural features, whether it’s how to emphasize beautiful eyes with eyeliner or how to bring out your best qualities with minimal effort.
What I love most is Bobbi’s gentle and friendly writing style, which makes it a great gift for any teen. It’s not just about the physical, but about building confidence and being comfortable in your own skin. It’s the perfect message for young girls growing up in a world obsessed with unrealistic standards. If I ever have a daughter, this is the kind of book I would pass down to her, helping her to focus on true beauty from the inside out.
FAQs
Yes! Even oily skin needs moisture—just choose a light, oil-free moisturiser to avoid clogging your pores.
Once a week is usually enough. Exfoliating too often can irritate your skin.
Yes! UV rays can still penetrate clouds, so it’s important to wear SPF every day.
It’s better to use separate products to properly cleanse and moisturise your hair.
If your lip gloss dries out your lips, apply a lip moisturizer underneath or switch to a hydrating glossy lipstick.
Yes! Always apply a heat protectant spray before using heat tools like straighteners or curling tongs. It protects your hair from damage and helps maintain its softness.
