As if the teenage years aren’t hard enough - with school, boys (or girls) and hormones to deal with - acne rears its ugly head. What to do? Reach for the cover up (which I would personally apply with a trowel), decline yet another party invitation or adopt a beauty routine from an early age? If I could go back and talk to my teenage self, I’d whole-heartedly recommend the latter.
Luckily, today’s tweens and teens can get their mitts on dedicated skincare ranges designed to take the sting out of this tricky age. Stylish Spy asked her 11-year-old to test four products to see which worked best on her oily, spotty skin, before helping her pen this article.
Teenitor Green Tea Oil Absorbing Sheets
(100 sheets, £7)
Key ingredients:
Natural fibre pulp, native hemp, green tea essential oils, granules.
First impressions:
These tiny rectangular sheets come in a cardboard box shaped like a small envelope, making them easy to use on the go. Open the tab to reveal 100 super-thin green papers that slide out with a little encouragement.
What’s it like?
Each sheet is silky to touch allowing it to glide around my skin easily. One sheet is enough to dab excess moisture off my entire face and forehead; the green tea scent is fresh and summery.
Does it work?
As surface oil rarely appears on my skin, I used these sheets in the summer to stop suncream from running in the heat. Make-up wearers could use them to ensure their foundation stays put at an event or party.
Verdict:
At 11, these sheets probably aren’t ideal for my skin just yet but I’ll keep hold of them for my teenage years. At just £7 a packet, I’ll be able to buy them for myself, slipping them into my school bag for dabs on the go.
Spots & Stripes Skincare for Tweens & Teens
(125-150ml, £14-£18)
Key ingredients:
Benzyl alcohol, hyaluronic acid, witch hazel, coconut, myrrh, niaouli.
First impressions:
The products come a white box with drawings on the front that can be coloured in. The products are colourful and fun, with polka dots and stripes in sunny yellows, blues and greens.
What’s it like?
The cleanser has a faint citrussy smell making it a good morning pick-me-up, particularly when washed off with a splash of water. The hydrating mist is so light it’s on in two squirts; the spot zapper is perfect for the odd spot.
Does it work?
The Spots & Stripes range wasn’t as effective as some of the more powerful products out there at reducing blemishes but the The spot Zapper – which triples up as bite cream and lip hydrator – is a must-have. A little goes a long way, too.
Verdict:
With its earth-friendly packaging, natural ingredients (97-100%), colourful packaging, gentle formula and reasonable price point, this range would be perfect for youngsters wishing to begin using skincare.
Oskia Violet Water Cleansing Water
(100ml, £34)
Key ingredients:
Salicylic beads, phytic acids, violet willow extract, pre-biotics, pro-vitamin B5.
First impressions:
This product comes in a white box with Oskia’s grey logo on the front, and the information on the back and sides. The deep purple bottle inside is a nice colour contrast to the box; we loved the rectangle bottom allowing it to stand.
What’s it like?
Pull the bottom open and gently squeeze the middle to allow a little of the sticky, see-through gel to come out. Move it about your fingers before adding water and using it to clean your face. Wash it off with warm water. The faint floral smell is pleasant first thing in the morning.
Does it work?
The web stats for this cleanser are impressive with a reported 35% reduction in blemishes and a 58% reduction in acne after four weeks of continuous use. We weren’t disappointed either.
Verdict:
Of all the products tested, this cleanser helped the quickest - the red spots on my chin looked less angry within a day or two; those on my nose shifted after just two weeks.
Natura Bissé Stabilizing New Skin Challenge
(50-150ml, £147)
Key ingredients:
Cleansing mask: salicylic acid; Resurfacing Essence: PHA, AHA and BHA acids; Oil-free Gel Cream: Vitamin C, Collagen.
First impressions:
The 28-day, three-step challenge comes in a white box with a 1, 2, 3-instruction leaflet inside. Products 1 and 2 are housed in white tubes/bottles; the moisturiser comes in a fat glass jar. The scent is more functional than flowery.
What’s it like?
Using the foaming net provided, the thick, chalky cleanser lathered up nicely to leave my skin feeling squeaky clean. Step 2 (the Resurfacing Essence) acts like a toner and can be splashed on like aftershave; the moisturiser is a gel-cream combo which sinks in quickly.
Does it work?
Using all three products before school took a bit of getting used to (hello early alarm) but I liked the night-time routine. By week four, my chin and nose were almost spot-free.
Verdict:
At £147, this is far from the cheapest product out there - and it isn’t a quick fix – but, as they say, good things come to those who wait.
Stylish Spy
17th January 2024
Spy Likes:
Minimalist lines; organic products; facial massage; tranquillity; interesting people-watching.
Spy Dislikes:
Discarded towels on loungers; steam rooms that aren't steamy; mobile phones.
