Caring for young skin

                                 

If you want clear skin in adulthood, start a cleansing routine from a young age.

WHEN it comes to skin care, you are never too young to start. Healthy habits at a young age can make a big difference in skin health and appearance in years to come.

But should teenagers be concerned about skin care routines and if so, how early should one start?

Aesthetic physician Dr Abrizah Ousman talks on the importance of caring for skin from young.

What are the characteristics of young skin?

Young skin has a smoother texture, a more even skin tone, more volume and better elasticity. The epidermis has a faster turnover rate and better healing ability.

The dermis has more blood flow, abundant connective tissue, collagen and elastin, making skin firm and resilient. Young skin also has thicker subcutaneous fat, making the face appear fuller and rounder.

Why is young skin more prone to pimples?

Young skin is more prone to breakouts or acne due to increased sebum (oil) production caused by hormonal changes. The increase in sebum combined with keratin plug or skin debris can lead to blocked pores or hair follicles which are also the opening of sebaceous glands ducts.

This vicious cycle leads to the formation of comedones. When comedones are infected with bacteria, it leads to chronic inflammatory condition called acne.

How young should one start looking after the skin?

Prevention is always better than cure. Establishing a basic skin care regime and good hygiene at an early age is extremely important to prevent acne which could lead to blemishes and permanent scarring.

Does this include sun protection?

Sun protection should be advocated from young to prevent premature ageing and pigmentation.

How young should we start face cleansing?

Face cleansing should start as early as puberty. During puberty, it is extremely common for boys and girls to develop a condition called androgen-induced acne.

A more potent androgen than testosterone called dihydrotestosterone is produced in the skin, giving rise to a condition called seborrhoea. Seborrhoea refers to overactive sebaceous glands, the key pathological step of acne formation.

What’s the cost of starting facial cleansing routine too late?

I always believe that good habits should be cultivated from young. Starting later could very well mean too late, when acne and scarring have already occurred.

This requires treatment such as medications, chemical peels and laser which are costly. Scarring can also affect one’s mental state, occupation and social life.

What is a suitable skin care routine for teenagers?

A young person with normal skin should cleanse and moisturise as well as use sun protection during the day.

Face cleansing should be the first step in our skin care regime and should be done twice a day, upon waking up and before retiring at night. It is extremely important to cleanse before retiring at night so that oil and dirt are removed and pores remain clean.

How should you wash your face?

Wash in the morning with warm water, gently rubbing in a circular motion. For normal to dry skin, apply a thin layer of non-comedogenic, water-based moisturiser. If doing activities under the sun, you may skip the moisturiser but use a thin layer of sunscreen with at least SPF 30, or a moisturiser with UV protection.

Repeat face wash at night. Always remove make-up and clean skin properly before going to bed. A gentle scrub twice or three times a week is beneficial if you have oily skin.

Why should teenagers use a facial cleanser and not just a soap and water?

Regular soap and water is very harsh on young skin. A facial cleanser with vitamin E, antioxidants and organic plant extracts will nourish skin without completely stripping off the oil.

How do you choose skin care products for younger skin?

You must know your skin type before buying. If you have oily skin, blemishes and acne, consult a dermatologist.

Younger skin requires skincare products which are non-comedogenic. Someone with an oily T-zone will benefit from applying a toner after cleansing that contains alcohol, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to reduce oil production and prevent bacterial infection.

What ingredients are suitable for younger skin?

Younger skin may be extra sensitive to chemicals and be prone to dryness and eczema. Organic and plant-based ingredients, devoid of harsh chemicals, are beneficial for their gentle nourishing and antioxidant properties.

Moisturisers should not be thick like lotions or creams in oil-based formulations but rather choose serums or gels that are water-based.

Avoid cosmetics that will clog up pores and opt for oil-free makeup.

GENTLE CLEANSING WITH ORGANIC EXTRACTS

IT is a known fact that daily cleansing is the first and most important step in any facial care routine. EverSoft product manager of Wipro Unza Malaysia, Connie Tee says choosing a gentle cleanser that meets younger skin needs is also important.

“EverSoft Facial Cleanser is formulated with 100 per cent organic plant extracts which is gentle yet effective to remove excess oil, dirt and impurities, while maintaining skin’s natural protective layer. Specially formulated with Japanese technology which is suitable for Asian skin, EverSoft has a wide range of cleansers for different skin types,” says Tee.

Tee adds that the EverSoft range comes in four facial foam variants, and two facial scrub variants. The foam variants are organic avocado, gingko and grape fruit, pomegranate and mulberry and rice milk and honey.

The scrub variants are organic apricot and gingko. The apricot facial scrub with blackhead clearing has a deep scrubbing action that removes blackheads, stubborn impurities and dead skin. It also removes excess oil to help prevent future formation of blackheads/whiteheads.

Organic gingko daily revitalising gentle scrub gently exfoliates skin to remove dead cells and restore a healthy glow. It’s gentle enough for daily use.