Because the skin is the largest organ in the body, and human and environmental health is an issue that is important to all of us, teaching our teenagers about responsible cosmetic consumption is very important. Deciphering the ingredients listed on cosmetic products is not easy, and the marketing used by major brands is outwitting each other to attract young people. By establishing good habits from the start, young people will tend to make good choices in the long term.
Did you know that teenage girls are most exposed to contaminants in cosmetic products, even though they are at a critical stage of hormonal development? To learn more about this topic, I invite you to consult this document prepared by the David Suzuki Foundation.
So today we're offering you the best practices for taking care of teenage skin in the simplest and healthiest way possible. Having beautiful, healthy skin as a teenager can sometimes be a challenge, but it also has an impact on their self-confidence. Let's take a step-by-step look at the right choices to make.
Step One: Facial Cleansing
Developing good facial cleansing habits is very important and often a problem. Most people who struggle with oily skin or breakouts will cleanse their face twice a day. This habit should be avoided completely. Proper facial cleansing should be done only once a day. Washing your face twice a day can increase sebum secretion, which could worsen the situation.
Choosing a cleanser is also an important issue that shouldn't be overlooked. Most facial cleansers on the market are too abrasive and will actually dry out your skin. Choosing this type of cleanser can further dry out your skin, weaken it, or even create other skin problems.
Making the Right Choice of Facial Cleanser
Ideally, you should choose a facial cleanser that cleanses deeply but also moisturizes the skin. Pravi facial soap fits this description and is formulated to leave a protective film on the skin. It also contains oat milk, a very gentle ingredient that is suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
Step two: good daily hydration
Using moisturizer at a young age isn't a common habit, but it can promote healthier-looking skin, which in the case of a teenager can make a difference in their self-confidence. Getting into the habit of moisturizing your face from a teenage age can also be beneficial in the long run to prevent skin aging.
Choosing a moisturizer based on your needs
The choice of ingredients in a facial moisturizer will impact the overall appearance of your skin. Oilier skin is often dehydrated because it contains too much oil and not enough water. Choosing a thinner cream, which contains active ingredients that can help regulate excess sebum, is a good idea for beautiful, well-hydrated skin with as few imperfections as possible.
Pravi's day cream for combination to oily skin has been formulated with ingredients specifically selected for this skin type. The selected organic plant oils are all non-comedogenic and work in synergy with hydrosols to soothe, hydrate, and heal the skin. The star ingredient in this facial moisturizer is undoubtedly cleome gynandra, an African plant extract that regulates the quality and quantity of sebum for blemish-free skin.
Ingredients to avoid in your moisturizers
Since teenagers have smaller budgets than their parents, they may end up choosing a cheap drugstore cream, which is frankly not ideal for their health, the environment, or the overall appearance of their skin. Commercial creams are about 80% water and all contain one or more of the 12 toxic ingredients to avoid. They also often contain mineral oils or silicone-based ingredients that clog skin pores and can cause breakouts. The vegetable oils in these creams are often esterified and contain fewer properties and nutrients to nourish the skin.
To better analyze the ingredients in your cosmetic products, check out this article , which clearly explains how a moisturizer is formulated. To learn more about the toxic ingredients in cosmetics, check out this article .
Step Three: A Product to Deal with Unwanted Items
Despite good habits, it's not uncommon to see a pimple appear at the wrong time! That's why we thought we'd offer Zero Flaw Gel , a product that helps reduce or even prevent the appearance of a pimple. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients help to resolve a pimple more quickly or even prevent it altogether. Its small, practical size means you can always have it on hand.
Step Four: Weekly Exfoliation
The ultimate healthy habit to start as a teenager is definitely exfoliating your face once a week! Exfoliation removes dead skin from your face and clears pores. Cells are better oxygenated, and your skin tone is significantly improved. Using a facial exfoliator once a week deeply cleanses your skin and is another good way to prevent blemishes.
Pravi's facial scrub contains papaya enzyme (chemical exfoliation) and pumice, a volcanic rock powder, for gentle, deep exfoliation.
Other tips for beautiful skin as a teenager
Despite a good skincare routine, do you still have spots on your face? There are several other actions and good habits that can help keep your facial skin looking beautiful:
- Remove makeup before going to bed: It is very important to remove all traces of makeup before going to bed to avoid inflammation in the skin pores.
- Remember to clean your cell phone screen regularly. We handle it and put it everywhere, so it's covered in dirt and bacteria that end up directly on your facial skin.
- Making good food choices also has a direct impact on our overall health and, therefore, on the appearance of our skin. Check out this article for some tips on the subject.
- Obviously, drinking plenty of water is essential for beautiful, hydrated skin and for eliminating waste and toxins from your body through your kidneys rather than your skin.
We hope these tips can help your teen's skin look its best and help them make informed choices when it comes to choosing their cosmetics.
Catherine Bastien – Co-founder – Pravi natural cosmetics