Here at SAMFARMER, we are baffled why teenage skin care products are not taken as seriously as adult formulations.  Looking after your skin is essential at any age but it's especially important during the teenage years. 

As a teenager your skin is going through a lot of changes and it's important to use the most suitable cosmetic ingredients to keep the skin healthy and in good condition. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most suitable cosmetic ingredients to use. 

The Best Teen skin ingredients

There have been some great advances in cosmetic ingredients for teen skin over the last decade and here are some of the most efficacious and proven cosmetic ingredients for teenage skin. 

Decyl Glucoside

Cleansing is a first step in an efficacious skincare routine. Decyl Glucoside ia a type of sugar-based surfactant that you will find in products such as shampoos, face cleansers and body washes. It is derived from glucose, a simple sugar that is found in many plants and is typically combined with other ingredients to create gentle, effective cleansers.

One of the main benefits of using Decyl Glucoside is that it’s  very mild and gentle on the skin.  Glucosides are less likely to cause irritation, dryness or other adverse reactions which makes them a popular choice for people with sensitive skin.

As well as being gentle, Decyl glucoside also has excellent cleansing properties, which makes it effective at removing dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin and hair without leaving behind residue. 

When looking for a gentle cleanser, even for sensitive skin, Decyl Glucoside is a great ingredient. 

Squalane

Squalane is a natural organic compound that’s commonly found in our own skin's sebum.  It has a lightweight, non-greasy texture making it an excellent ingredient choice for facial moisturisers, serums and other skincare products.  

Squalane is commonly used as an emollient, moisturiser and skin conditioner and can help improve skin texture and maintain a healthy skin barrier.  Because Squalane is also known to have antioxidant properties it can also help protect the skin from environmental damage  

Some studies have shown that Squalane can also help to regulate oil production in the skin, making it beneficial for those with oily or acne-prone skin.

Squalane is a versatile and effective ingredient, it is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin and is generally well-tolerated making it an ideal ingredient for teen skin.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). Hydroxy Acids can help accelerate the natural renewing process of the skin. It works by disrupting the mechanisms which hold skin cells together in the stratum corneum allowing dead skin cells to slough off more easily. 

This exfoliating action helps produce a smoother looking skin surface and also helps to unclog pores which, in turn, helps to prevent breakouts.  

Salicylic acid has also been shown to have mild anti-inflammatory characteristics, which can help to reduce the redness and swelling associated with breakouts.  It's important to say here that salicylic acid can be drying, so use it in moderation and follow up with a moisturiser.

Salicylic acid is typically found in products such as cleansers, toners, and blemish targeting products. It is often recommended for those with oily or acne-prone skin, as well as those with other skin concerns such as psoriasis and eczema.

It is always a good idea to patch test a new product containing salicylic acid before using it all over the face or body and to follow the instructions on the product packaging carefully.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which is native to West Africa but also cultivated in parts of Asia and South America. 

Shea butter is a fantastic ingredient as it’s rich in fatty acids and vitamins A and E, which help to nourish and protect the skin. It has been used for centuries in Africa for its skin-healing properties.

It is particularly useful for dry or damaged skin and hair as it helps to restore moisture and can help in restoring their correct functions. 

Shea butter also has been shown to have mild anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can help to protect the skin from environmental damage.

Aloe

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, also known as aloe vera, is a great ingredient due to its numerous beneficial properties for the skin and hair.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that is native to North Africa but is cultivated in many areas around the world, it has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.

In personal care products, aloe vera is used for its soothing, hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown in many studies to be effective in soothing and calming irritated or sunburned skin. 

Aloe vera is also rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and it can also help to improve skin texture and tone.

In hair care products, aloe vera is often used to improve the overall health and shine of the hair, basically keeping it in good condition.  In some recent studies Aloe has been shown to help reduce dandruff and other scalp conditions making aloe barbadensis leaf juice a versatile and beneficial ingredient.

It’s important to use high quality shea butter as this will contain the highest levels of beneficial compounds although this is difficult to verify in many formulations.

Chlorella Vulgaris (Micro algae)

Chlorella vulgaris is a species of freshwater green algae.  It is rich in various nutrients which provide ‘nourishment’ and protection to the skin and hair.

It contains antioxidants such as chlorophyll, carotenoids and vitamins which can help protect the skin and hair from free radical (unstable molecules) damage caused by environmental factors like UV radiation and pollution.

Chlorella vulgaris supports the skin’s microbiome and has impressive clinical trials with regards to efficacy. The ingredient also is reported to have moisturising properties that can help to hydrate the skin and hair. It is believed to help lock in moisture, preventing dryness and flakiness and promoting a smoother, more supple appearance.

Chlorella vulgaris is also believed to have soothing properties that can help calm and comfort the skin and scalp. It is often used in products for sensitive skin or scalp to help reduce redness, irritation and inflammation.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of Chlorella vulgaris in personal care products may vary depending on the formulation, concentration and other ingredients used in the product.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a colourless, odourless, viscous liquid. It’s used in personal care as a humectant. It is hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb moisture from the air and hold it on the surface of the skin. This makes it an effective moisturising ingredient, as it helps to keep the skin hydrated which is the goal for maintaining healthy teenage skin. 

Glycerin is also used in personal care formulations as a solvent, meaning it can dissolve other ingredients to form a uniform solution. Incredibly useful when multiple ingredients need to be combined.

Glycerin is also used as a thickener and emollient. It can help to improve the texture and feel of a product, making it smoother and easier to apply.

Its ability to moisturise, dissolve, and improve product texture makes it a valuable addition to many teen skin formulations.

Vit E

Vitamin E is the most used cosmetic active ingredient for a good reason. Vitamin E protects the cell membrane in our skin from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm cells and compromise the skin’s natural barrier functions.  

a-tocopherol (alpha-tocopherol or tocopherol acetate) is the most useful vitamin E compound as it is easily absorbed, in other words it has the best bioavailability. 

a-tocopherol is usually synthetic because vitamins from natural origins are notoriously unstable and degrade almost immediately when exposed to air, heat or light making them pretty much useless. 

Best ingredients to look out for

When looking at teenage cosmetic product ingredient lists, the best option is to select ingredients that cleanse, moisturise, support and protect the skin’s natural barrier functions as the condition of our skin can have a dramatic effect on how we feel at this critical time.

However, it's important to remember that everyone's skin is different and what works for one person may not work for another.