Your Teenager Has Acne: A Practical Guide for Parents

Acne affects the large majority of teenagers at some point. For some, it's a handful of blackheads. For others, it's painful, widespread and genuinely upsetting. As a parent, it can be hard to know when to step in, what to buy, and how to talk about it without making things worse.

First, the reassurance

Teenage acne is not caused by dirt, bad hygiene or "eating too much outside food". It's driven mostly by hormones that increase oil production during puberty, plus genetics. If you had acne as a teen, your child is more likely to have it too. It isn't anyone's fault.

How to talk about it

Teenagers are often far more upset about their skin than they let on. A few things help:

• Don't comment on it in front of others, including relatives at family functions. "What happened to your face?" stings more than you'd think.
• Don't blame food or habits unless there's a clear reason. It makes kids feel guilty about something they can't fully control.
• Ask if they'd like help, rather than announcing a plan. Let them be part of choosing products and deciding when to see a doctor.
• Take it seriously. Acne can affect confidence, mood and willingness to go out or be in photos. That's real, not vanity.

A simple starter routine

For mild acne (blackheads, whiteheads, a few red spots), an over-the-counter routine is a good first step:

• A gentle face wash, twice a day. Not harsh scrubs.
• One acne treatment: benzoyl peroxide (2.5% is enough) or salicylic acid, or adapalene gel where available without prescription. Start every other night.
• An oil-free moisturiser, because acne treatments are drying.
• Sunscreen in the morning, especially if they're outdoors for sports or school.

Help them stick with it for at least 8 to 12 weeks. The most common reason routines "don't work" is that they're stopped after two weeks.

Things to steer them away from

• Toothpaste, lemon, garlic or other DIY hacks from social media.
• Squeezing and picking, which cause marks and scars.
• Steroid-containing "fairness" or mixed creams. These can make acne much worse.
• Using five products at once because a reel said so.

When to see a dermatologist

Don't wait for acne to "pass on its own" if any of these apply:

• Painful, deep lumps or cysts
• Acne leaving scars or dark marks that aren't fading
• No improvement after three months of a consistent routine
• Acne spreading to the chest and back
• Your child seems withdrawn, anxious or low about their skin

A dermatologist has far more effective options, including prescription creams, antibiotics for a limited time, hormonal treatment for some girls, and isotretinoin for severe acne. Treating acne early is the best way to prevent scarring, which is much harder to fix later.

Don't forget sports and school habits

Cricket helmets, football practice in the afternoon heat, tight school uniforms and heavy backpacks all add sweat and friction. Encourage a quick face wash or shower after sports, and a clean towel and pillowcase every few days.

For girls: notice patterns

If your daughter's acne is concentrated on the jaw and chin, comes with very irregular periods, excess facial or body hair, or weight changes, mention this to a doctor. It can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is common and worth diagnosing early.

Keep it in perspective

Most teenage acne improves by the early twenties. But "it'll go away eventually" isn't much comfort to a 15-year-old who doesn't want to go to school. Help them treat it, check in on how they're feeling, and get medical help sooner rather than later if it's severe. Their skin and their confidence will both be better for it.