To ask advice, we turned to someone who has tested more beauty products than most of us will ever own. Former Daily Mail Fashion Editor and mother of three, Camilla Ridley-Day has launched Teen Edit, a platform where skincare, style, wellness and all things teen and tween come to life. Here, Camilla shares 15 trusted teen skincare brands, acne advice and the Gen Z skincare voices worth following.
What are the big teen skin worries right now – and how can parents help?
Acne breakouts will always be the big concern for teens. I advise parents not to panic-buy a concoction of products from different brands all at once, and to know when to get help. Don’t create a cocktail of skincare. Try one thing, stick with it, and remember not to expect overnight miracles. If a flare-up is very painful, starts feeling overwhelming and affecting mental health, get proper advice early from a dermatologist before it becomes totally unbearable. Ask your GP for a referral. I know from my own experience how self-conscious spots can make you feel, and it’s not something today’s teens should have to just endure.
How can we steer teens away from TikTok skincare trends?
Keep an open conversation and tell teens to follow someone who actually knows what they’re talking about, like Chloe Combi, a brilliant Gen Alpha expert. She explains the pitfalls of the beauty industry and viral trends in a way that teens genuinely take on board.
Which teen skincare brands do you recommend?
Spots & Stripes
Perfect for skincare routine first-timers, Spots & Stripes is gentle, effective, fun-looking and ideal for sensitive skin. It is far more effective than you’d expect from something so cheerful looking.
TRY: Starter Skincare Box, Spots & Stripes, £30
Byoma
For early teens, Byoma hits that sweet spot where the colourful packaging is fun, but the formula is properly sensible and designed to keep puberty-era skin calm rather than inflamed. Their budget-friendly and uncomplicated Creamy Jelly Cleanser transforms into a creamy lather as you massage into your skin and removes dirt and excess oil.
TRY: Creamy Jelly Cleanser, Byoma, £10.99
Indu
The largest growing UK teen skincare brand Indu recently moved away from make-up to focus on what they’ve always done best - simple and effective science-led skincare for teens.
TRY: Ultimate Universal Skincare Set, Indu, £55
31st State
For sweaty, post-sport adolescent faces, 31st State clearing pads are genius. One quick swipe keeps breakouts at bay. You don’t even need water so ideal for kit bags and changing rooms.
TRY: Clearing Pads Face and Body, 31st State, £18
What’s a trusted suncream for teens?
Teens are far more SPF-aware than we ever were, so they naturally gravitate towards suncreams. Indu’s Everyday Hero SPF50+ is lightweight, non-greasy, never shiny and – perhaps why it’s so loved among teens – it doubles as a primer so sits beautifully under makeup.
TRY: Everyday Hero SPF 50+, Indu, £25
A first deodorant?
Wild is ideal. As puberty kicks in, body odour appears too, an unwelcome but entirely normal biological shift, not a sign of poor hygiene. Wild is a mild, aluminium-free deodorant that comes in those customizable, refillable cases tweens and teens love.
TRY: Natural Stick Deodorant, Wild, from £13
Safe cleanser with no nasties?
Tweens and teens simply do not need harsh exfoliators, retinol, niacinamide or anything overly fancy, especially when hormones are darting all over the place. A clean flannel and a gentle scrub with a soothing CeraVe cleanser may be all they need.
TRY: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £9
Teen moisturiser?
Choose non-comedogenic products that won’t trigger breakouts and avoid heavy, silicone-rich moisturisers that smother young skin and can clog pores. La Roche Posay Hydraphase is light, hydrating and teen-friendly.
TRY: Hydraphase UV SPF Light Daily Protective Moisturiser, £23
How to tackle acne breakouts?
Stubborn acne is misery and the absolute bane of teenage life. When young skin is angry and inflamed with spots, 47 Skin’s dermatologist-approved anti-blemish formulas seem to actually work, visibly calming things down within a few days. Unlike harsher treatments, it doesn’t sting, strip or cause dryness.
TRY: Anti-Blemish And Scar Repair Serum, 47 Skin, £45
What’s your one piece of skincare advice for every teen?
Don't panic-buy half of Space NK or Sephora, just because something’s trending on TikTok. Know that cute youthful-looking packaging can be wildly deceiving. Always check the ingredients as it’s what’s actually inside that matters. Retinol is the one ingredient teens and tweens must always avoid, and most serums, toners, strong acids or masks are simply unnecessary for young skin. If they want the fun without damaging their skin, try something like Daise which has all the personality and none of the risk.
TRY: Fragrance Body Mist, Daise, £6
What are today’s most wanted teen make-up labels?
Right now, Hailer Bieber's Rhode is the teen obsession. It is the biggest-selling, most screenshot brand in the makeup and skincare space. Teens love the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment because it’s all over YouTube and TikTok and it feels like proper grownup skincare. Crucially, it uses gentle ingredients, like shea butter, that are safe for young skin.
TRY: Peptide Lip Treatment, Rhode, £20
Huda Beauty
Like moths to a flame, teens are glued to the Iraqi-American beauty blogger Huda Kattan’s makeup tutorials. For the coveted ‘no-makeup makeup’ look, I’d point teens towards the mini version of her Easy Bake Loose Powder. It controls shine all day, comes with a mini powder puff to take on the go and to teens, it feels very in-the-know, thanks to Huda’s prolific vlogging they’ve grown up watching.
TRY: Mini Easy Bake Setting Powder, Huda Beauty, £20
Laneige
Chances are your teen or tween is obsessed with Laneige lipgloss. Loved by all ages, the original non-sticky squeezy tube lip flavours last forever and make a great gift.
TRY: Juicepop Box Lip Tint, Laneige, £20
Who gives sensible teen skincare advice online?
Don’t rely on social media for skincare guidance from unqualified influencers. It will go badly wrong. Instead, follow Caroline Hirons, a no-nonsense, science-led skincare expert who is arguably one of the most powerful people in beauty. She debunks lots of viral fads, explains what actually works and tailors advice by age and skin needs. Her book Teen Skincare, £16.99, is a must.
Which grooming brands are good for teen boys?
Teen boys are using more skincare than ever before. As hormones play havoc on skin, my advice is steer them towards brands that keep things simple.
31st State, the UK’s first skincare line made just for teenage boys, is just brilliant. The grooming products are unfussy, smell right and leans towards natural ingredients.
Teen boys’ hair?
Once they care caring what their hair is doing, Tribal Chimp is the holy grail. It has all the styling gear they could possibly want. The matte paste and sea salt spray works in seconds, tames any unruly mop and gets them out of the bathroom in no time.
TRY: Matte Paste, Tribal Chimp, £15.95
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FAQs: Teen Skincare
When should a tween or teen start a skincare routine?
Most young people only need a skin routine once puberty kick in - usually between 10-13 years old when hormones trigger visible signs like oilier skin, blackheads or the odd breakout of spots. At that point, a simple routine (gentle cleanser, light moisturiser, daily SPF0 is enough. Anything more risks irritating already-sensitive, hormone-driven young skin.
How can you build a simple skincare routine for teens on a budget?
You don’t need expensive brands. A mild cleanser, a non-comedogenic moisturiser and a broad spectrum SPF are the only essentials. Affordable pharmacy brands often outperform trend-driven products that are expensive due to their marketing.
Are viral skincare hacks safe for teen?
Most aren’t. DIY masks, layering multiple acids, ‘slugging’ or using adult-strength acvies can overwhelm young skin. Teens should avoid anything promising instant results or involving harsh exfoliation. If in doubt, skip it.
How can parents talk to teens about skincare without sounding critical?
Keep conversations light and collaborative. Ask what they’ve seen online, who they follow and what they’re hoping to fix. Offer to look at ingredients together rather than banning products outright. Teens respond far better to guidance than policing.
What causes sudden acne breakouts in teens – and when should parents worry?
Hormones, sweat, stress and over-using products are the usual culprits. Breakouts that become painful, cystic or start affecting confidence are worth flagging to a GP. Early dermatology advice can prevent scarring and months of misery.
