It’s graduation season and we’re congratulating everyone in our community who has achieved these milestones. Not just graduates, but the village, family, friends, and mentors who played a role in this achievement! 

Over the last few years we’ve seen so many teens and young adults getting into skincare and building their first skincare routines. But here’s the thing: younger skin doesn’t need much! The best beginner skincare routine is usually a simple one focused on cleansing, moisturizing, and daily sunscreen. 

So whether you’re a new grad looking for a skincare routine that sets you up for the next stage of your life or wanting to gift skincare to the young grad in your life, we’re breaking down do’s and don’ts for young skin and sharing a simple routine to follow.

The Do’s and Don’t of Skincare for Younger Skin

Less is more when it comes to skincare, and this is especially true for younger people. When you’re starting to build a skincare routine, you don’t need to do too much. Let’s break down the do’s and dont’s. 

Skincare DOs for Younger Skin:

What you need to do is actually quite simple. 

DO use a gentle cleanser. Choose a cleanser that targets your specific skin type and needs. Younger skin may also mean dealing with acne or breakouts. If that sounds like a concern you’re trying to address, look out for ingredients like zinc, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide when choosing a cleanser.  

DO moisturize every day. People often think having oily skin means you don’t need a moisturizer, but it’s actually the opposite. Moisturizing helps protect your skin’s natural barrier, lock in moisture, and keep your skin hydrated so that it can properly heal and function. 

DO wear sunscreen every day. And make sure to reapply! We recently talked all things sunscreen on the blog, but the TLDR is this: UV rays reach us every day, and sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin and helping it stay healthy and looking youthful over time. 

DO read labels. We’ll cover some ingredients younger people should avoid in the don’t section below. Reading labels is an important step in ensuring skincare products won’t be too harsh or stripping for young skin.

Skincare DON’TS for Younger Skin:

What not to do can sometimes be even more important than what you should do. Let’s break down the don’ts. 

DON’T use too many active ingredients. You’ve probably seen conversation about ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, and salicylic acid everywhere. They’re popular, but not everyone needs them. Some active ingredients can be too harsh for youthful skin and may cause irritation or damage when used too early or too often. 

DON’T use anti-aging products. Anti-aging products are designed for mature skin, and there’s a reason they aren’t marketed toward younger people. Using anti-aging products too early can damage your skin barrier and honestly, isn’t something young people need to worry about. Aging is a privilege, so enjoy life! 

DON’T over-exfoliate. Exfoliating too often can irritate younger skin, damage the skin barrier, and lead to dryness, sensitivity, or even more breakouts. More isn’t always better. 

DON’T pop pimples. This applies to everyone, regardless of age. It can be so tempting, but popping pimples can actually create more problems, especially for melanin-rich skin. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by popping pimples can leave dark spots behind long after a breakout heals, so the best tactic is usually to leave it alone. Use pimple patches or spot-treat with products like Bolden’s Clay Mask which helps unclog pores instead. 

DON’T follow every skincare trend. It’s easy to feel like you have to jump on every trend, but if everything worked for everyone, we wouldn’t have such a wide range of skincare products. Following every TikTok skincare trend may lead to disappointment, especially if certain products or routines don’t give you the same results. Find a routine that works for you and stick to it. That doesn’t mean you can’t make changes, just make sure those changes are based on your skin’s needs and not the latest viral trend.

The Skincare Routine for Young Skin:

No one needs a complicated 10-step skincare routine, especially younger skin. A simple skincare routine with a less is more approach is the best place to start. Here’s an easy routine to follow for young skin using Bolden Products:

1. Gentle cleanser. Depending on your skin needs, try our Hydrating Cleanser for added moisture or the Skin Clarifying Cleanser if your skin leans oily or is acne-prone.