Teen skin doesn’t always need stronger products. Sometimes it needs fewer — and better chosen — ones. Teenage skin is already undergoing significant hormonal change. Oil production often increases, pores may clog more easily, and breakouts can suddenly become a major concern. And this is often where the trouble starts. When a teenager sees oily skin or pimples, the natural reaction is to try to strip it away. - A foaming cleanser. - Then an acne wash. - Then a scrub. - Then a toner. - Then salicylic acid. - Then a spot treatment. - Then another exfoliating product because the breakouts are still there. Suddenly, a skin that started out oily and congested is also tight, red, flaky, sensitive and inflamed. Teenage acne is not simply caused by a damaged acid mantle or skin barrier. Hormones, increased sebum production, follicular congestion, Cutibacterium acnes and inflammation all play important roles. But aggressive skincare can add another problem. Repeated harsh cleansing, scrubbing, over-exfoliation or layering strong active ingredients too frequently can disrupt the skin barrier and interfere with the naturally acidic environment of the stratum corneum. This may contribute to: • Increased transepidermal water loss • Dehydration, even while the skin remains oily • Redness, stinging and sensitivity • Flaking and irritation • Slower barrier recovery • Changes to the environment that supports a healthy skin microbiome • Increased irritation and inflammation, making an acne routine harder to tolerate and manage Oily does not mean diAnd oily skin can still be dehydrated and barrier-impaired. Producing plenty of sebum does not necessarily mean the skin is holding onto water effectively or that the barrier is functioning well. Acne also does not mean the skin needs to be scrubbed, dried out or treated with every acne ingredient available. For teenage skin, a good routine is often much simpler: - Cleanse gently. - Treat specifically. - Moisturise appropriately. - Protect with SPF.