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Being a teenager usually means feeling self-conscious some (most!) of the time — it just comes with the territory. When you're already struggling to figure things out in middle school and high school, dealing with acne and breakouts can be extremely frustrating and embarrassing. You’re not alone. Nearly 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience some type of acne — blackheads, whiteheads, or red, inflamed pimples on their face or body. Whether you know the pain of acne first hand or you’re a parent trying to find the best acne treatment for your teens, we get it: Battling teenage acne isn’t easy. The good news is, there are teenage acne treatments that work.
So, why do teens get acne? In both girls and boys, puberty triggers the production of androgens (male hormones including testosterone and DHT). This group of hormones tells your glands to enlarge and produce more oil, which is one of the leading causes of acne. When that excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, it can clog up your pores and lead to breakouts. Products like the Proactiv Solution 3-step system can help remove excess oil while treating breakouts by killing acne-causing bacteria.
Generally speaking, boys tend to have more severe teen acne than girls because they produce more androgens. Girls, on the other hand, may experience increased breakouts during certain times in their menstrual cycle and as adults as their hormones fluctuate from pregnancy, birth control, and menopause.
Teenage acne often starts with a few blackheads or whiteheads (open and closed comedones) or smaller pimples around the nose, cheeks, and forehead. Acne can show up anywhere on the skin where there are pores (which is everywhere!) so you may have to treat the body, too. ProactivMD Essentials System + Teen Duo is recommended for all skin types and teens with mild to moderate acne. Our acne-treating retinoid Adapalene Gel 0.1% helps speed teen acne healing and prevents whiteheads and blackheads from coming back.
Here are some easy ways to manage your acne and minimize breakouts.
The best acne treatment for teens is a consistent skincare routine formulated with effective active ingredients that treat and prevent breakouts.
When you have acne, scars often come with the territory. The best way to avoid acne scars is to prevent them in the first place, by treating acne as soon as it develops — which is easy if you’re using one of our Proactiv for teens’ skincare systems! Just remember: Never squeeze, pop, or pick at pimples. You’ll only spread the infection, worsen inflammation, and encourage acne scars because the healing time is extended. Always allow blemishes of any kind to heal on their own so you can prevent even more scarring. Lastly, make an effort to reduce any inflammation. Large, inflamed blemishes are more likely to create scars than non-inflamed pimples. And that is yet another great reason to get on board with a solid skincare routine early.
Try Proactiv Solution® — for oily and combination skin — featuring prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide to help kill acne-causing bacteria at its source.