Teenage Skin and Acne: Do’s, Don’ts & Natural Solutions
Teenage skin can be unpredictable, frustrating, and deeply tied to confidence. It’s a time of huge hormonal change, stress from school or social life, and experimentation with skincare—often with mixed results. The good news is that with a few key adjustments and natural supports, breakouts can often be calmed and skin can feel more balanced.
As a Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist with a diploma in Chinese herbal dermatology, I’ve supported many teenagers in managing their skin—both in-person in Christchurch, Dorset, and through online consultations UK-wide.
This guide shares the do’s and don’ts I always start with, plus some tried-and-true natural options you can use at home.
Teenage Acne: What To Do and What To Avoid
✅ DO:
Keep it simple. A gentle cleanser and a light, non-comedogenic moisturiser are often enough.
Wash pillowcases regularly—every 2–3 days is ideal.
Use clean hands when applying skincare or touching your face.
Look after digestion. Irregular bowels, bloating or sugar cravings often show up on the skin.
Be mindful of stress. Hormones like cortisol can trigger flare-ups, especially around exams or social stress.
❌ DON’T:
Use Sudocrem for acne. It’s a thick, occlusive product that blocks the skin’s ability to breathe.
Scrub or over-exfoliate. It can damage the skin barrier and lead to more breakouts.
Pick or squeeze spots. It spreads bacteria and increases the chance of scarring.
Use too many products. Mixing multiple actives (like acids and retinoids) can overwhelm teenage skin and increase sensitivity.
Budget-Friendly Natural Remedies for Teenage Skin
You don’t need expensive products to support your skin. Here are a few gentle, natural options I often recommend between consultations:
For red, dry, or irritated skin:
Use oat water—steep a handful of organic oats in warm (not boiling) water for 10 minutes, strain, and use the water as a calming rinse or compress.For oily or inflamed skin with spots:
Try a green tea compress using cooled, organic green tea to calm inflammation and fight bacteria.For clogged pores or blackheads:
Use a weekly white kaolin clay mask (avoid if the skin is very dry or sensitive). It gently draws out impurities.For painful under-the-skin spots:
Dab on a bit of manuka honey as an overnight spot treatment—it's soothing and antimicrobial.
Natural Skincare I Trust: de Mamiel & Dermatology M products
When teenagers need a bit more targeted help, I often recommend topical skincare from Dermatology M and de Mamiel—two natural brands I trust and use in clinic.
Dermatology M
Rooted in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, these products are ideal for calming active breakouts and inflammation without disrupting the skin barrier. The Clear Skin Formula and Herbal Cleanser are gentle and effective.
Explore Dermatology M for Acne
de Mamiel
de Mamiel’s range blends TCM wisdom with natural actives and aromatherapy. Two standouts for teenage skin:
Pure Calm Cleansing Dew – a gentle oil-based cleanser that dissolves makeup, sunscreen and daily grime without stripping.
Skin Recovery Concentrate – a rescue remedy for reactive or damaged skin, especially after flare-ups or over-exfoliation. It calms redness, reduces sensitivity and restores barrier function.
Local to Christchurch, Dorset? Or Further Afield?
If your teen is struggling with their skin, I offer in-person consultations in Christchurch as well as online support across the UK. My treatment approach combines Chinese herbal medicine, diet and stress support, and natural skincare guidance—tailored to each teen’s unique constitution and skin pattern.
Sometimes teenage skin just needs a reset—and with the right tools, it can make all the difference.
Get in touch if you’d like to chat about your teen’s skin.