Tween Skincare 101

To help parents feel prepared for conversations about skincare with their tween, we chatted with Dr. Hallie McDonald, a dermatologist who co-founded ERLY with Jamie Chandlee—yes, that Jamie Chandlee. ERLY is a brand committed to clean, simple skincare solutions for young teens and tweens.

“As a dermatologist, I have seen an exponential increase in the number of patients coming into my office with overly complicated and potentially harmful skincare routines,” McDonald says. “This problem is amplified in younger patients, as they are easily influenced by social media, marketing, and their own peer groups.”

So, what is the difference between tween skin and the more mature complexions often seen peddling products on TikTok? The obvious answer is age, but it’s more complicated than that. Below, we will highlight some common concerns and differences regarding teenage skin.

Common Tween Skin Concerns

• During the tween years, the skin begins to change in several important ways:

• Oil and sebum production increase, leading to clogged pores, breakouts, and the early appearance of whiteheads and blackheads.

• Apocrine (scent-producing) sweat glands become active, which can contribute to body odor and impact overall skin hygiene.

• The skin barrier becomes more vulnerable, making it more prone to irritation or sensitivity from environmental factors or skincare products.

On top of all this, tweens are often just beginning to build consistent hygiene routines. 

“Early skincare habits are crucial because sun damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life,” McDonald explains.

To her point, early skincare habits are essential, and overwashing, underwashing, using harsh products, or skipping sun protection can all negatively affect developing skin.

Most tweens can get by with a streamlined skincare routine that consists of three steps:

1. Cleanse with a gentle face wash twice a day—for simplicity’s sake, in the morning and at night. Also, after exercising to avoid a sweat-related breakout.

“Some of my favorite gentle cleansers are ERLY Face Foam, CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, and Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser,” McDonald says.

2. Moisturize with a lightweight serum or face lotion, preferably one with peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or ceramides. 

“Moisturizers help strengthen the skin barrier, making it more resilient to environmental stressors and reducing sensitivity or inflammation,” McDonald explains. 

“I encourage my younger patients to look for a bedtime moisturizer that won’t clog their pores, even if they aren’t acne-prone yet. I recommend ERLY Night Moisturizer with Peptides, CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, or Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion.” 

3. Protect skin from UVA/UVB rays with plenty of SPF. This is one of McDonald’s biggest pieces of advice. She says:

“I encourage all my patients to make applying SPF a daily habit, just as they do with brushing their teeth. I apply mine every single day, regardless of whether I plan to be outside—even when it's raining!”

McDonald recommends the ERLY Start Moisturizer with SPF 40, Isdin Eryfotona Actinica, or CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen.

We’ve talked about some specific products McDonald has put her stamp of approval on, but you might be wondering whether there are any general rules you can follow when evaluating skincare products for your teen. 

“Because [their] skin can be more delicate and predisposed to developing irritation or allergic reactions, I recommend all hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products,” McDonald says.

When it comes to cleansing, stick to gentle options from reliable brands like Cetaphil and CeraVe—no scrubs or chemical exfoliants. For moisturizers, aim for a noncomedogenic product with nourishing ingredients like niacinamide or peptides, which McDonald swears by:

“Peptides are great for anti-aging, but they are also safe and gentle for young skin.”

And finally, opt for a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient. Mineral sunscreens are the most effective option, and they’re usually free of harsh chemicals like oxybenzone and avobenzone that can cause problems. 

“I recommend a chemical-free sunscreen, as these are less likely to cause skin irritation and aren’t absorbed into the bloodstream,” McDonald notes.

As we’ve mentioned throughout this article, there are some ingredients tweens should not use. 

“When caring for younger skin, it's important to avoid harsh or overly potent skincare ingredients that can irritate or damage the developing skin barrier,” McDonald explains. 

This means avoiding ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid—all things that are great in moderation for mature skin but too intense and drying for younger complexions. 

“I also advise my young patients to avoid comedonic oils, such as coconut oil and cocoa butter,” McDonald says. 

In other words, tweens should not partake in the slugging or donut skin trends, as layering on heavy products can lead to clogged pores and, in turn, acne. 

If rom-coms have taught us anything, it’s that skincare should be fun, relaxing, and maybe even a little silly—hello, face masks and cucumber eyes! Lean into that energy and encourage your tween to enjoy the process, not just the results. 

So, to sum it all up:

• Start with the basics. Help your tween build a simple routine they can stick to (like the one we outlined above). Consistency matters more than a cabinet full of products.

• Make it a shared experience. Involve them in choosing products, and use it as a chance to teach them about ingredients, skin types, and smart habits.

• Keep the conversation going. Stay curious about what they’re seeing on TikTok or hearing from friends at school so you can guide them with context—not criticism.

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