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Caring for Skin, Caring for Mental Health

Puberty seems to be arriving at an ever earlier age for each generation.

When your child hits the preteen years, it’s the beginning of many changes and challenges in a relatively short period of time.

As they navigate their way from child to teenager the physical and emotional changes can bring about ongoing worries and fears as their peer’s opinions become more influential, and they start to gain further independence.

The Link Between Skin Problems and Mental Health

Acne affects more than 85% of adolescents, often leading them to suffer from low self esteem and an increased risk for depression. What may appear to be a superficial condition, skin problems like acne can deeply affect a tween’s emotional health, resulting in lifelong scars.

Early intervention is key and creating a healthy skincare routine and good skincare habits is something they can take from their youth through to adulthood, that protects not just their skin but also their mental health and wellbeing.

When a lack of self-confidence causes stress, it may cause increased oil production in the skin which exacerbates acne. Experts have proven that a consistent skincare routine can lower the amount of cortisol (known as the stress hormone) in the body by up to 85%! An increased confidence comes from having a more cheerful outlook and being more positive can boost your mental health.

8 Tips to Set your Child up for Healthy Skin

  1. Cleanse the skin carefully, using products specifically developed for young skin, which will target their needs. For example, oily skin tends to respond better to a foaming or gel cleanser.
  2. Wash any makeup off before bed.
  3. Exfoliate gently – scrubbing just makes things worse.
  4. Use acne treatments if needed, that have been created with young adults in mind.
  5. Wash hands before washing the face.
  6. Wash pillowcases regularly.
  7. Wipe down phones and iPads with an antibacterial wipe daily.
  8. Minimise touching the face.

A night-time routine that includes reading, having a relaxing bath and applying a skincare regimen can be a lovely and relaxing way for tweens to wind down at the end of the day. Creating a soothing and comfortable environment will help support your tween and set them up for a good night’s sleep – another great way to promote mental health.