Navigating skincare in your teen years can feel like trying to solve a mystery with a hundred different clues. With so much advice online, it’s easy to pick up habits that might actually be doing your skin more harm than good. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Essance Skincare, we believe in keeping it real—clean, simple routines made with natural, skin-loving ingredients. Whether you're just starting to build your skincare routine or trying to calm a breakout, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what works. Let’s dive into the 10 most common skincare mistakes teens make—and how you can glow through them with confidence.
1. Not Knowing Your Skin Type
Before anything else, get to know your skin. Is it oily? Dry? Sensitive? Combo? Each skin type needs different support. For example, if you’re dealing with excess shine and breakouts, your skin may benefit from lightweight, oil-balancing products—like our Clarifying Cleanser made with gentle plant-based ingredients. Dry or flaky? Go for something creamy and hydrating.
✨ Essance Tip: Not sure what your skin type is? Start with a gentle, all-skin-types cleanser and observe how your skin reacts after cleansing.
2. Overwashing or Using Harsh Products
Washing your face too often—or with products that strip your skin—can lead to more breakouts, not fewer. Your skin needs balance, not over-cleansing. Twice a day with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser is all you need.
💧 Try This: Our Clarifying Cleanser is pH-balanced, non-stripping, and formulated to clean deeply without drying out your skin.
3. Skipping Moisturizer (Even if You’re Oily!)
Think moisturizer is just for dry skin? Think again. Oily and acne-prone skin still needs hydration. When you skip it, your skin might produce more oil to compensate, leading to clogged pores.
🌿 What to Use: Our Oil-Free Moisturizer is light, breathable, and infused with aloe and camellia green tea oil—perfect for keeping skin calm and balanced.
4. Forgetting Sunscreen (Yes, Even Indoors)
Sun damage isn’t just a beach-day thing. UV rays can affect your skin every single day, even through windows or on cloudy afternoons. And without SPF, all that skincare work? At risk.
☀️ Quick Fix: Use a mineral-based formula produced from zinc oxide to protect without clogging.
5. Popping Pimples
We know—it’s tempting. But squeezing blemishes pushes bacteria deeper, can cause scarring, and almost always makes things worse. Instead, be patient and spot-treat.
🌼 Try This: A gentle spot treatment with natural botanicals like tea tree oil can calm inflammation without harsh chemicals.
6. Using Too Many Acne Products at Once
More treatments ≠ faster results. Layering multiple acne-fighters like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can lead to dryness, irritation, and—ironically—more breakouts.
🌿 Stick with one active at a time, and give it a few weeks to see results. The Clarifying Skincare Line is designed to work together, so your routine stays simple and effective.
7. Ignoring Toners and Face Masks
Toners and masks aren’t just “extra”—they’re game-changers when chosen wisely. A good toner preps your skin for hydration, and a weekly mask gives it a little extra love.
🧖🏽♀️ Essance Favorites: Our Clarifying Toner with witch hazel and helichrysum is perfect post-cleanse, and our gentle beet clay masque help draw out impurities without drying you out.
8. Following Trends Without Reading the Label
DIY toothpaste spot treatments or viral lemon scrubs? Hard pass. Just because something’s trending doesn’t mean it’s safe for your skin.
🌱 What Works: Look for clean, natural ingredients like aloe vera and fruit enzymes—things we build into every formula at Essance because your skin deserves better than a fad.
9. Sharing Skincare or Makeup
Borrowing your bestie's serum might seem harmless, but sharing products spreads bacteria—fast. Everyone’s skin is different, and what works for them might not work for you.
🧼 Pro Tip: Use clean hands and keep applicators sanitary. And yes, that means no fingers in jars!
10. Ignoring Stress, Sleep, and What You Eat
Your skin reflects what’s happening inside. School pressure, late nights, dehydration, or processed snacks can all show up on your face. Skincare isn’t just what’s in your cabinet—it’s your habits too.
🫶 Be Kind to You: Drink water. Move your body. Journal. Laugh. Get some sleep. Your skin will thank you.
Glow with Confidence (the Essance Way)
Skincare is a journey—and nobody gets it perfect from the start. If you've made a few of these mistakes, it’s totally okay. What matters most is choosing products that respect your skin, and building a routine that feels natural, not forced.
The Essance Clarifying Skincare Line was created just for this moment—thoughtful, gentle, and made with organic, sustainable ingredients that support changing teen skin without stripping it down.
You deserve skincare that grows with you. 💚
✨ FAQs
1. Why is washing my face too much a bad idea?
Overwashing strips away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry and more prone to breakouts. Stick to twice daily with a gentle cleanser like our Clarifying Cleanser.
2. Should I moisturize even if I have oily skin?
Absolutely. Skipping moisturizer can make oily skin worse. Our Oil-Free Moisturizer is lightweight, soothing, and won’t clog pores.
3. Do breakouts mean I should add more treatments?
Not necessarily. Too many treatments can cause irritation. Use one treatment at a time and keep the rest of your routine calm and supportive.
4. Can my diet and sleep really affect my skin?
Yes! Skin reflects your overall health. Balanced meals, sleep, and hydration all support a clearer complexion.
5. Ready to build your best routine yet?
Explore the Essance Clarifying Skincare Line—your skin’s new best friend for clear, calm confidence through the teen years and beyond.
