Talk to Your Kids About Acne

If you haven’t had acne, then you don’t know what it’s like when you start feeling out of control breakouts that are painful and weigh on your confidence. If you have had acne, maybe you want to spare your child from medications you tried that didn’t work and the scarring that the acne spots left behind.

Here is how YOU (not TikTok) can be the one to influence them towards what is best for their skin and their confidence.

Step 1: Regulate what they put on their skin 

What your child applies to their skin is important. They may think it’s fun to try new things and experiment with products and makeup, and we love that – but acne loves any excuse to strike! Cosmetics are one of the top acne triggers because they have so many pore-clogging ingredients.

Many pore-clogging ingredients are cheaper raw materials, so they’re often found in mass-produced products – which is why so many drugstore products can be problematic for the acne-prone person. But it’s not easy to immediately know if a cosmetic is causing acne because it takes months to form. So, when it comes to makeup, the best defense is using a small grouping of acne-safe products that are recommended by a professional that treats acne. You can always view our acne-safe makeup list here.

Step 2: Understand that there may be better options than you had or know about

Since acne is genetic, there is a good chance that your partner or you have lived through it. Acne-treating products have come a long way. We are leaning less on medication and learning more about what really triggers acne and how to control it for the rest of your life. 

Acne is difficult to treat, and we’ve only seen a couple of niche skincare brands successfully clear clients. This is why it’s important to monitor what your child is using and explain that it will not get them results and may cause more acne. Excitingly though, there are now many fun and feel-good product options – it’s not just Clearasil and Sea Breeze (which, sadly, didn’t even get the job done – but instead just left red and raw skin in its wake).

Today, we are lucky to have two major product lines, Vivant Skincare and Face Reality, on a mission to educate aestheticians on eradicating acne. The right products and lifestyle changes can work to treat any severity of acne. We see it every day. Because acne is a disease of the pore, topically treating the pore with products and treatments is the fastest way to get results. You can easily book a virtual or in-person appointment here with an acne expert to get them on the right products.

Step 3: Link them with an acne expert that has shown to get results, even if it takes work 

People are usually shocked to discover their disappointment in working with a dermatologist for acne. Unfortunately, with how the dermatologist is set up, there is a maximum of a few minutes to discuss your concerns. In our personal experience and many clients’ experiences, acne doesn’t seem to be a top priority for most dermatologists. To further the problem, western medicine’s approach to “fix” health issues appears to be often one-size-fits-all with prescription drugs.

As we said, acne is a disease of the pores – so we want to treat the pores. Think of facial treatments like going to the dentist. And if you compare a dentist appointment to a dermatologist appointment, isn’t it odd that a dentist and a dental hygienist work on your teeth – but a dermatologist often doesn’t even touch your skin (let alone treat it!)? If you went to the dentist and they didn’t even touch your teeth, you’d wonder what you’re even doing there – what would be the point? 

So, for your acne, skip the dermatologist and partner with us – opt for an acne-experienced aesthetician instead. You should always look for an aesthetician who performs extractions, specializes in acne, and is willing to consult with your child and educate them. Just a facial won’t do anything; you want a treatment.

Cassie Fehlen