Best face wash for tween acne?

[katie111]

My DD12 is starting to get some very small pimples on her forehead. Looking for a good face wash and cream to help her out. Not sure if there is an inexpensive product that works or if I should just go ahead and order her some Proactiv. Never had acne myself so this is all new to me.

 

[3PrincessesAndaFrog]

My tween daughter's dermatologist recommended Cetaphil. I think at this age its normal to get some acne. They just need to be diligent about washing their faces gently and using a cleanser and moisturizer.

My older daughter likes Boot's.

Good Luck!

 

[3boymthr]

I wouldn't start out with Proactiv. For my kids I just bought the clearasil pads that are available in the facial aisle at CVS. They work well for the little bumps.

Good hair washing on a daily basis really helps too if she has hair that hangs in her face. Have her avoid conditioners and other products that add oil to her hair unless her hair is really dry.

 

[mrsbicewdw]

Proactive can be very harsh on the skin. It is meant for severe acne - and formulated more for adult skin. There are some great options, target carries a lot. If she doesn't have oily skin (or even if she does) don't get something harsh - drying and irritation leads to more oil production which leads to more acne. Acne at that age is normal - the best thing is to encourage good hygiene and make sure she knows she is still beautiful.

I had BAD acne as an early teen. What finally cured it was stopping all those harsh cleansers and harsh wash routines. I went to a homemade cleaner, based with coconut oil, and an apple cider vinegar/water "toner". My face calmed down and my skin smoothed. I still get occasional break outs as an adult, but nothing some concealer can't handle.

 

[megsoro]

Apricot scrub! Go for St. Ives of targets up and up brand. I have used since I was about your daughters age, and have never had a major breakout. I do use it wherever I break out. (Face, back, etc)

 

[100AcreWood]

My tween daughter's dermatologist recommended Cetaphil. I think at this age its normal to get some acne. They just need to be diligent about washing their faces gently and using a cleanser and moisturizer.

My older daughter likes Boot's.

Good Luck!

My dd also sees a dermatologist and this is what she recommends as well.

 

[bjscheel]

Third the Cetaphil but make sure it is the "gentle" version (at least in my opinion). I accidentally bought the "daily" wash and it was like washing with dish detergent. Couldn't stand the smell or feel of that but the gentle is great for faces. I also get my girls an over the counter spot treatment. DD16 also has a prescription cream from the derm that she alternates with the OTC.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I don't recommend listening to anyone here. No offense. Unless someone here is a dermatologist/esthetician and has seen your child's face. I recommend your child see a dermatologist. Their acne could be caused by something you have no clue about. And some acnes are different than others i.e. oily skin, dry skin, rosacea etc.

You don't have to buy the expensive products they recommend. Politely tell them you'll consider it but ask them to recommend some over the counter products (if cost is an issue). When I was a teen I had what was (still do but more controlled) called milia. They're baby cysts that were best removed by a professional that needed to be cut open and removed. Acne wash did not remove them. Please see a dermatologist before you throw your money away at useless products that may not help YOUR child's skin.

 

[kymom99]

My son's dermatologist recommends benzoyl peroxide. we use clean and clear. You scrub with it in the shower. My son is 15 and also uses a prescription now for his acne, along with the OTC scrub.

I would try something over the counter and see if it works before going to a dermatologist. I see kids with far worse acne than my son who most likely are not treating it at all. However, my husband had bad acne and lots of scarring so I eventually felt that I needed to have my son see a specialist.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

I have found sulphur soap to be the most effective solution to my rosacea and my kid's pimples. I do a quick wash and rinse (I don't leave it on my face) and I have not had to use antibiotics or perscription gels in years. At about $3/bar it is also the cheapest solution I found. I buy mine on Amazon, though you may be able to find it elsewhere.

http://www.amazon.com/Grisi-Sulfur-Soap-Acne-pack/dp/B00371PJ1E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420477625&sr=8-3&keywords=Sulphur+soap

 

[ktlm]

What has she been cleaning her face with? The first thing I would do would be to make sure she is using a good cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. I would highly recommend Clinique mild liquid facial soap, along with their toner and moisturizer. She needs to be sure to use it both morning and night. See how that goes. If she is just getting a few small pimples and that does not help, then I would try some spot treatment with some over the counter things. That might be all she needs. I got switched to that as a teen, and it solved my breakout issues and I had very clear skin as a teen with very few breakouts. As an adult, I started using other supposedly "better" products as cleansers etc. instead of that "old fashioned Clinique I used for years" and I started having some breakouts. I attributed it to work stress, or just being lucky and having it hit later than my teen years. I did not think it related to the Clinique. After several years, I started using Clinique again and to my surprise the breakouts almost completely stopped. I would start there before going to more harsh methods or dermatologists.

I think that a lot of teens have breakouts caused not just by the hormonal changes, but also by the fact that they are not used to having to really clean their faces day and night, and also by the fact that there are a lot of cleansers and products out there that can be irritating. If it is on her forehead and no where else, it might even be an issue with the hairspray or hair product she is using.

 

[brennicksmom]

My dd also sees a dermatologist and this is what she recommends as well.

Both of my kids are seeing a dermatologist and she recommends Cetaphil also. The purple lid Cetaphil, not the blue lid. Every morning and every evening. It has helped my youngest a lot. And the Cetaphil lotion.

My oldest is struggling and is now on Acutane, it was a last resort and it is helping a lot. But he is so dry. He uses day time lotion and night time lotion. And we have to order Dr. Dan's Cortibalm for his lips to keep the "zombie lips" away. It is awesome stuff for anyone with dry cracked lips. I get it from Amazon, it's about $4-$5 per tube and worth every penny!

 

[gofordrew]

When I was that age, Proactive worked wonders. It was unreal. Not sure if there is a cheaper alternative now or not. But I tried everything and can't say enough about how well Proactive worked for me. (Wow..I sound like an infomercial lol)

 

[verleniahall]

A good face wash - maybe oene of the clariasonic brushes that spin - they are more gental on the skin. I used nuragina pads and sea breeze stringint. I eventually had to get a perscription form of clean and clear for the higher bp%.

You will go through lots p oroducts before you find exactly what will and wont work for your daughter.

Good Luck!

 

[smadath]

DH has very oily, acne prone skin. He has tried many cleansers and acne products, but nothing worked very well for him. He now uses Neutrogena Facial Bars, in either Original or Acne, and they have really improved his skin. He follows it up with either Neutrogena Face Wash, or Clearasil Daily Clear Hydra-Blast Face Wash. This would be serious overkill for most people (me included), but it leaves his skin oil free much longer than everything else he's tried, and has cleared up his acne!

In the meantime, I haven't heard of Cetaphil, but I'll be checking it out now!

 

[Vernie822]

"Simple" brand (I usually find it at Target) is relatively inexpensive and is very kind to the face. I have sensitive skin and I don't like anything that burns - this is perfect. It's soft and gentle but also cleanses well. They also make facial wipes that are great for taking off makeup or just clearing your face before bed.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

Both of my kids are seeing a dermatologist and she recommends Cetaphil also. The purple lid Cetaphil, not the blue lid. Every morning and every evening. It has helped my youngest a lot. And the Cetaphil lotion.

My oldest is struggling and is now on Acutane, it was a last resort and it is helping a lot. But he is so dry. He uses day time lotion and night time lotion. And we have to order Dr. Dan's Cortibalm for his lips to keep the "zombie lips" away. It is awesome stuff for anyone with dry cracked lips. I get it from Amazon, it's about $4-$5 per tube and worth every penny!

Thank you! I just started Accutane and my lips are just awful!

 

[kkmcan]

Both of my teens are on Epiduo prescription. My kids doctor says it has nothing to do with how much you wash your face. Its hormonal its not because your face is dirty or clogged pores or whatever.

The pump lasts forever like 6 months and its $25 for first fill and $15 for each refill with the coupon from doctor or website. They use it every night along with Clearasil purple bottle face wash. Works like a charm. You could just take your dd to her pediatrician and see what he says. Ask about the Epiduo. We never needed to see a dermatologist.

 

[magik]

If it's just ordinary, light puberty acne, my doctor recommended gentle cetaphil as a cleanser and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream for the trouble spots (the only one I've found is Neutrogena On-the-Spot cream). Apparently the 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is almost as effective as the normal 10% you can find in tons of brands, but it's way less drying and irritating. Best to start at the lowest strength and only go up higher if the lower percent doesn't help. My doctor also recommended changing pillowcases frequently (and I got a bunch of light/white color pillowcases because benzoyl peroxide bleache the color out anyway).

 

[mrsbicewdw]

"Simple" brand (I usually find it at Target) is relatively inexpensive and is very kind to the face. I have sensitive skin and I don't like anything that burns - this is perfect. It's soft and gentle but also cleanses well. They also make facial wipes that are great for taking off makeup or just clearing your face before bed.

I love that brand too.