Winter can be challenging for teen and tween skin. Bitter temperatures, cold winds and moisture-sucking central heating can mean dry cheeks, increased sensitivity and itchy/flaky patches on young faces and bodies. It’s even possible to be spottier in Winter, because skin is dry and irritated!
So, what can be done to make sure teen/tween skin stays glowy and hydrated, even in the grimmest months of the year? A re-think of the basics, some smart tips and a little extra TLC will do the trick.
Welcome to our Teen/Tween Winter Skin Survival Guide!
Moisturise! Moisturise! Moisturise!
At any other time of year, teen/tween skin is naturally well balanced and doesn’t need a load of extra moisture. That changes when the temperatures drop. Cold air and wind strip the skin’s moisture barrier leading to more trans-epidermal water loss (where water is drawn out of the skin), which can cause flaky, itchy and sometimes cracked skin.
The irony is that over-dry skin will overcompensate by producing more oils. And more oils, when you're a teen/tween, mean potentially more breakouts. Sad but true: teen skin in Winter can have the unfortunate combo of being both dry and spotty.
This is where diligent moisturising comes in. Daily use of a good moisturiser will increase hydration, repair the skin’s precious barrier and protect it from further drying. It even helps balance oil production on hormonal skin.
If your teen is prone to breakouts, look for an oil-free moisturiser that is non-comedogenic (aka it won’t block their pores) like our best-selling Featherlight Moisturiser. It’s super-light, but has ingredients that hydrate young skin for up to 24 hours. Use it morning and night after cleansing.
Your body, too.
Winter isn’t kind on teen/tween body skin either. Cold air outside and overly warm air inside will dry it. And the woolly, heavy fabrics you use to keep warm can irritate body skin even more.
Look for a body lotion that’s rich in humectants, like Glycerin, that will draw moisture into your skin. And emollients to nourish and hydrate (plant oils like Jojoba and Evening Primrose Oil are body skin superstars).
Then moisturise your body daily, while your skin is still damp after a bath or shower. This allows the moisturiser to absorb more easily and traps existing moisture into the skin.
Use gentle cleansers
Using a gentle, facial cleanser is always important for teens/tweens. But even more vital in the Winter. When your skin is verging on the dry and sensitive, a cleanser that foams and strips the skin of its natural oils can be enough to tip it over the edge.
Look for cleansers that protect the skin barrier and put moisture into the skin, rather than taking it out. That means oil-based lotions, milks and balms with hydrating and soothing ingredients like Glycerin, Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera.
Take care with how you wash the skin below your neck, too. Switch your bath or shower washes to sulphate-free and soothing formulations that will clean body skin without upsetting its natural balance. And don’t bath or shower more than once a day in Winter, as both can be drying.
Water temperature matters, too. Wash with warm water, rather than hot and keep your baths and showers short. Long, hot soaks might be tempting on cold days, but they suck moisture out of your body skin.
Our sulphate-free Body Washes and Gentle Cleansing Lotion clean young skin without stripping or upsetting its natural balance.
Go easy on the exfoliating
Cell turnover slows down a little during colder months, so exfoliating is important, particularly if you’re a teen who suffers from blocked pores and breakouts. But remember to be kind to your skin, which is probably more sensitive than usual.
That might mean reducing the amount you exfoliate to a 2-3 days a week. And, because exfoliating can remove the skin’s natural moisturisers when it removes dead skin cells, always moisturise after you exfoliate your face or body.
Look after your lips
Ever wondered why your lips suffer when temperatures plummet? Unlike the rest of the skin on your face, lips have no oil glands. They also have a very thin skin barrier, which makes them more sensitive to damage by cold winds and drying indoor heating. Teens and tweens are also notorious for lip-licking or sucking in their lips when they’re stressed, which leads to chapping and cracking.
Keep lips hydrated and happy with regular applications of emollient-rich lip balm throughout the day and just before bed. Emollients are super-moisturisers that will soften, smooth, and hydrate by filling in cracks and creating a barrier that seals in moisture (Shea Butter is a great one for lips).
Find out more about our Skin and Body products specially formulated for teens and tweens - and extra helpful during the Winter months - here.
