Good Skincare Habits for Kids and Teens

As parents, we want to ensure our children have healthy skin from a young age. By instilling good skincare habits early on, we can set our children up for a lifetime of healthy, beautiful skin. 

The new school year started recently, and a lot of parents are already giving up on trying to convince their kids on the benefits of hygiene and self-care. In this blog post, we will discuss some good skincare habits and how to do it.

1. Cleanse and Moisturize: Teach your child the importance of cleansing and moisturizing their skin every day. Start by choosing gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers that are appropriate for their skin type. Encourage them to wash their face twice a day with warm water and a gentle cleanser, and to moisturize their skin morning and evening, after washing.        
2. Healthy Diet: A healthy diet is important for overall health, but it also has a positive impact on the skin. Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods and sugary snacks, which can lead to breakouts and other skin issues.
3. Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is important for healthy, hydrated skin. Encourage your child to drink water throughout the day, especially during hot weather or after physical activity. If your child is not a fan of plain water, consider adding a sliced strawberry, a slice of lemon or orange for flavor.    
4. Hands Off: Teach your child to avoid touching their face, as this can transfer bacteria and oils from their hands onto their skin. Additionally, encourage them to avoid picking at any pimples or blemishes, as this can lead to scarring and further breakouts.    
5. Clean Towels and Pillowcases: Dirty towels and pillowcases can harbor bacteria that can cause breakouts and skin irritation. Encourage your child to use a clean towel and washcloth every day, and to change their pillowcase at least once a week. There seems to be significant skin and hair benefits from using a satin pillowcase, and it may be an appealing argument for your child. A fun idea may be a SPA party, that can ignite the love for self-care, done with friends.     
6. Sun Protection: It's important to protect your child's skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. Encourage your child to wear a natural sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even when it's cloudy. Sunscreen protects your skin also from the harmful effects of blue light, currently omnipresent in our technology driven lives. When outside, teach them to apply sunscreen liberally on all exposed skin and to reapply every two hours, especially in aquatic activities. Additionally, encourage your child to wear a hat.
7. Yearly Checkups: It's important to have regular checkups with a dermatologist to ensure your child's skin is healthy and to address any skin concerns. This one is on you, the parent, for at least a few years.

In conclusion, instilling good skincare habits in your child early on is important for healthy, beautiful skin. Encourage cleansing and moisturizing, a healthy diet, hydration, hands-off, clean towels and pillowcases, and sun protection. By setting a good example and making skincare a regular part of your child's routine, you can help them develop lifelong habits for healthy skin. Good luck!