The Best Skincare for Teens Starts With a Good Cleanser (Here's Our Top 6)
My name is Iain and I've worked in the Beauty Industry for 8 years now. I've been on the front line in store helping people navigate the world of skin, as well as worked in education, artistry and marketing. When I'm not writing about skincare, you can find me over at Instagram talking about beauty or working on my PhD.
Being a teenager is tough for almost everyone. And if your skin isn’t looking the way you want it to, that just adds more angst to the mix!
Teen skin is constantly reacting to hormonal changes, so the teen skincare you choose should address this.
Oil production tends to ramp up during the teenage years, which can lead to an increase in whiteheads, pimples, and blackheads.
Choosing the right cleanser is so essential for this time of your life; you want something gentle AND effective.
Let me round up my six best cleansers for teenagers to help get your skin on track.
Before we dive into my roundup of the best cleansers for teenagers, let’s first discuss why cleansing is an instrumental part of a teen skincare routine.
Fluctuations in hormones, increased oil production, and experimenting with makeup make cleaning the skin so important.
Properly removing dirt, oil, and debris greatly reduces breakouts and dehydration.
When choosing a cleanser, your skin type is important to remember.
- An oilier skin type will benefit from a foam formula
- A drier skin type loves a milk or cream cleanser
- And all skin types can use a gel cleanser
Choosing the best cleanser for your teenage skincare routine will get you maximum results so you can enjoy healthy, happy skin!
Before we round-up our faves, have you checked out our quick and easy cleanser finder?
Take the quiz and find a cleanser in under 30 seconds, or continue to read below for our roundup of the best men's face washes.
The Best Face Wash for Teens in Australia 2023
This vegan cleanser is perfect for teenage boys! At this age, boys tend to produce a little bit more oil than girls do. And with the introduction of shaving, boys’ skin can benefit from a cleanser with a bit more oomph. This formula from COSRX is pH-balanced, so it won’t strip skin. Bacteria-killing Tea Tree Oil and a gentle BHA derivative called Betaine Salicylate work deep in the pores to prevent breakouts, ingrown hairs, and shine. Although it’s called Good Morning Gel Cleanser, you can use this one in the evening too! Despite the powerhouse ingredients list, this remains a gentle cleanser for tweens and teens.
The Ultimate Gentle Facial Cleanser for Tweens
If you want to start a solid skincare routine before you head into your teens, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is an excellent place to start. This formula contains very gentle cleansing agents that never strip or irritate. Vitamin E and Avocado Oil help condition the skin and preserve its natural moisture balance. The result is a cleanser that respects the skin and nourishes while it cleanses. Getting into a good routine early can help your skin stay healthy, resist acne, and continue to look great throughout your teens.
An Affordable Cleanser for Teens and Tweens Skincare Routines
If you like to take the cheap, but effective route when it comes to your skincare, Cerave is for you. This foaming natural cleanser comes out in a fluffy cloud of bubbles that gently removes all traces of makeup and impurities. The formula includes hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, to condition skin and gently and effectively helps normalise oil production. Skin is never left tight after rinsing—only clean, healthy, and ready to face the day. Plus, it’s fun to use, which definitely helped me enjoy skincare a lot more when I first started my teen skincare routine!
If you’re anxious about starting your teen skincare routine, simplify it by relying on a multi-purpose cleanser. Asap Daily Facial Cleanser is a gel-based gentle cleanser for teenage skin. This vegan, cruelty-free formula is suitable for all skin types, which takes all the guesswork out of washing your face. Antioxidants in the formula soothe sensitivity, while a small amount of Glycolic Acid gently exfoliates and sweeps away acne-causing bacteria. You’re left with skin that’s free of makeup, oil, and grime yet never feels tight or dry. It’s so gentle, you can use it morning and night.
If you’re looking for a cleanser that’ll remove build-up and clear you up, Dermalogica has you covered. Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains 0.5% Salicylic Acid to deeply clean pores, fight bacteria, and remove excess oil every single day. Green Tea and Liquorice Root help soothe inflamed skin. Whether you’re experiencing spots on the face, back, or chest, you can use this all-over formula to fight breakouts every single day.
The Best Cleanser for Ultra-sensitive Teenage Skin
If you have particularly dry and sensitive skin, Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser is ideal for you. This hypoallergenic formula removes makeup and gently cleanses without any risk of irritation or damage. Rich in Avène healing Thermal Water, it gently reduces skin irritation with regular use. Especially formulated for dry to very-dry skin, this milk cleanser is perfect for a tween or teen who needs to cleanse but can’t handle a traditional cleanser. And if you’re wearing makeup, you can apply the product to dry skin to break that makeup down. Then rinse with water. Genius!
We hope this guide has helped you navigate the world of teen skincare and set you up to find the best cleanser for your teen or tween skin.
Remember that cleansing is important and should be done at least once a day (in the evening), if not morning and night. Good luck beginning your skincare journey!
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
Shop the 6 Best Face Wash for Teens Here:
asap daily facial cleanser 200ml$50.25
Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash$32.00
Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser 200ml$36.99 - Currently not available
COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser 150ml$25.00
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser 236ml$17.99 - Currently not available
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