When I was a teenager, quite a while ago admittedly, there wasn’t a lot of choice when it came to spot-busting skincare ranges. In fact, as I recall, you could either take the ‘pharmacy’ route and slap on what was a barely concealed peroxide solution, or go ‘natural’ and scrub your poor face with a load of rough old apricot stones. ‘Rock and a hard place’ doesn’t cover it…
Thankfully, these days there are loads of products out there for troublesome adolescent skin. So if you have a teenager in the family like I do, why not invest in some of a luxe range for them – and of course dip into it yourself when you have a hormonal break-out. Here’s what my teenage stepdaughter is using. OK, and me.
Forget the harsh chemicals, Nourish Balance Skincare has a special vitamin and mineral blend to regulate sebum and support skin’s natural metabolism without over-stimulating it. The Mini Kit (£24.95) contains a cleanser, toning mist, moisturiser and serum and is a fabulous way for youngsters to try it out for a couple of weeks first.
Elemis has the amazing Fresh Skin collection for young skin but did you know it also includes the Skin Clear range for blemish-prone complexions? If Elemis had been around when I was 14 my life would have been very different: while I dabbed toothpaste onto zits, my stepdaughter can instead apply Skin Clear Overnight Serum (£18), which helps to minimise breakouts while you sleep.
She also really liked the Seaweed range from the Body Shop, especially the Seaweed Cleansing Facial Wash (£8). It’s a gel cleanser which blitzes makeup but also rebalance moisture and sebum levels as it cleanses, but doesn’t leave skin tight and dry. And yes, I’ve ‘borrowed’ it.
Nelsons Pure & Clear range also got the big teenage thumbs-up. It uses plant extracts like calendula, arnica and hypericum, along with tea tree oil. The wipes (£5.45) went down particularly well, as did the Blemish Gel (£8.20) for dabbing on spots before they turn nasty.
And finally, something a bit different: The Konjac Face & Body Sponge Puff with added Charcoal Bamboo (£7). The sponge contains carbon and various minerals that remove excess oil and have a natural antioxidant effect – you don’t even need a cleanser. It’s not Harry Styles, but it was considered pretty awesome nonetheless.
Make sure to make some beauty purchases in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness with our roundup.