If you have a teen dealing with acne, I get it. I spent years battling my own acne, thinking that breakouts meant I had to scrub harder, dry them out, or layer on more products. I didn’t know it then, but I was stripping my skin instead of supporting it. Now, as an esthetician and a parent, I want to help teens take a gentler approach to breakouts—one that actually works.

The goal isn’t perfect skin (because that doesn’t exist). It’s about simple, consistent habits that keep teenage skin strong and balanced. Here’s how to help teens get started.

Keep It Simple with a Basic Routine

If you’re noticing changes in your teen’s skin—oiliness, breakouts, blackheads—now’s the time to introduce a low-maintenance routine. The key? Don’t overdo it. Too many products can actually make acne worse.

Cleanse gently – A simple, pH-balanced face wash like Daily Face Wash cleanses skin without stripping it. Over-cleansing leads to more oil production—so once or twice a day is enough.

Hydrate and balance – Rose Geranium Hydrosol is a great way to refresh and calm skin. Teen males might benefit from using Toner to balance oil production.

Barrier protection — Add a lightweight moisturizer like Daily Face Cream Light to protect the skin from environmental stressors, especially if the skin’s barrier is stripped or compromised. 

Spot treat mindfully – If breakouts pop up, apply Clarity Oil all over or mix the oil with Sulfur Mask as a targeted spot treatment.

If your teen struggles to remember their routine, tie it to a habit they already have—like brushing their teeth.

Extra Support Through Small Daily Habits

Acne isn’t just about skincare. A few simple lifestyle shifts can help keep breakouts in check:

Wash the face after sweating – Cleansing off sweat and bacteria helps prevent clogged pores. Keeping a travel Rose Geranium Hydrosol in their backpack can be a quick refresh after sports or gym class.

Encourage hands-off – Picking at breakouts can lead to irritation and scarring.

Watch for food sensitivities – Some teens notice their skin reacts to dairy or sugar. Everybody is different, so no need to cut things out unless they see a clear pattern.

Additional advice from Botnia Spa Partner Bertie, of Bertie’s Beauty in Oakland, CA – mother of two teenage boys who offers teen facial services: 

• Wash pillow cases, eye masks, and other bedding weekly in hot water.

• Wash makeup brushes weekly.

• Wear headbands to keep hair away from the face while participating in sports.

• Avoid over the counter face washes, serums, and masks that contain acids and retinoids – these products are geared for adult skin.

• Drink lots of water.

• This is a hard one...get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.

• Don’t take advice from social media influencers who aren’t estheticians.

Get professional support if needed – if acne is persistent, contact a licensed holistic esthetician. They can assess your teen’s skin and offer gentle, effective solutions—without jumping straight to harsh prescriptions. They’ll focus on strengthening the skin barrier, balancing oil production, and using plant-based, non-invasive treatments. If acne becomes severe or painful, consulting a dermatologist may be the next step.

Focus on Skin Health, Not Perfection

Teaching teens to care for their skin isn’t just about today, it’s about giving them the tools to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin for years to come. When we teach them to support their skin rather than fight it, we’re giving them more than clear skin, we’re giving them confidence. At the end of the day, the best thing we can do is to remind teens that their skin is always worthy of care, breakouts or not.

With care,
Justine

P.S. If you want to dive deeper into teen skin and the different types of breakouts they may experience, check out this post.