It’s almost a cardinal rule that puberty = acne. So as you approach puberty, your mates and teachers try to prepare you for the possibility of having acne.

Pimples are never a good time, especially as a tween. Tween acne agony can have your tween’s self-esteem drop to an all-time low as they look into the mirror, wishing the zits would leave as quickly as they appeared.

But we believe nothing can prepare you for that dreadful morning when you wake up to a large red dot sharing your face with you; without even paying rent! We’re here to discuss a vital topic: Tween Acne Agony and tell you what you can do about it to save your kid’s skin and self-esteem.

Let’s begin.

What is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition characterized by inflamed or elevated bumps filled with pus, oil, or dirt. It occurs when the follicles get clogged with dirt, dead skin cells, and oil or sebum, resulting in whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, or cystic acne.

Acne doesn’t only appear on the face; you can find acne on other parts of the body like the shoulders, chest, and upper back. Different kinds of acne include:

• Whiteheads - Closed clogged pores (comedones) or zits.
• Blackheads - Open clogged pores (comedones).
• Pustules and Pimples - Whiteheads and blackheads are two types of Papules, an alternative name for pimples. When papules contain pus, they become pustules.
• Cystic lesions - Excessively clogged pores that result in inflamed, painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the skin.
• Nodules - Similar to cystic lesions, but are not filled with pus and are more solid.
• Papules - Small, red, raised tender bumps on the skin.

Factors Responsible for Acne

Acne has four causes; it doesn’t spring up overnight but goes through a four-step process before it results in the pesky tenant on your face.

You need to know these causes, so you can nip the situation in the bud even before your child starts having acne.

First up.

Excess Grease or Sebum Production

Overproduction of grease is the first cause of acne. When the skin feels dry, it compensates for the dryness by producing sebum, which is excellent, but overproduction of the sebum isn’t; it gives the skin a more greasy and oily appearance. And dead skin cells + excess sebum = clogged skin pores, which brings us to the next cause of acne ⬇️

Clogged Skin Pores or Hair Follicles

When dirt, dead skin cells, and oils get trapped in your pores or follicles, they clog them. If you don’t properly cleanse your skin, those clogged pores can get irritated because our pores play a vital role in sweat excretion. So when it’s having a hard time maneuvering the contents clogging the pores, irritation and inflammation occur.

Inflammation

At this point, acne is just waiting to pop up. This inflammation triggers a bacterium that resides on your skin, known as Propionibacterium acnes, to produce an infection on the skin. Yes, you read right; the causative organism for acne does live on your skin. And it’s the most abundant bacteria on your skin, but that shouldn’t frighten you.

Infection

This infection then results in those angry red pimples on your child’s face that could make them want to sulk all day.

How Puberty Plays a Major Role in Kid Acne

What do acne and puberty have in common? Are there reactions puberty stimulates in your tween’s body that could cause acne? We have your answers.

During puberty, your tween will experience hormonal changes, such as increased androgen levels, that would stimulate excess oil production in the skin pores and hair follicles. As you read earlier, this overproduction of sebum or oil can cause acne. 

How to Treat Tween Acne

The good news is your child doesn’t have to go through tween acne agony. There are effective ways to treat and even prevent acne.

Here’s how.

• Watch Your Child’s Diet

According to reliable research, your child’s diet can affect the occurrence and severity of their acne. Learn to swap foods and drinks like sweets, processed and greasy foods, and sodas for healthier alternatives. Here’s a guide to help.

• Have a Reliable Tween’s Skincare Routine

Cleansers, exfoliants, toners, moisturizers, and spot treatments are the weapons you should have in your arsenal to fight against acne. But how do you know which product comes first and how to make your teen excited about their skincare? Check this article out for all you need to know about building and maintaining a quality skincare routine for your child.

• Let Your Child Drink Lots of Water

Drinking enough water aids blood circulation, which helps transport wastes, oxygen, and nutrients to target areas. But that’s not all. It also hydrates your skin, supports immune function, and naturally removes toxins from your body. These benefits promote healthier skin, clean skin pores and hair follicles, and for the best part, smooth, acne-free skin!

• Observe Your Child’s Skin Regularly

Have routine check-ins with your child when you ask them questions about how oily their skin has been lately, if they’ve experienced any skin irritation, or noticed any skin changes. Their responses and your observations are great tools for preventing an acne attack.

• Teach Your Kid Proper Skincare Practices

There’s a scripture in the Holy Bible that says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” If you start teaching your child the importance of skin hygiene and proper skin practices, they’ll be sure to carry on this habit well into their adult years.

Remember, you can only fight acne with quality, clean, and natural skincare products. Luckily, you’re in the right place. We formulate all our products with love, care, and effective ingredients that are sure to nourish, heal, and care for your child’s skin. Here’s where you need to go to cop yours.