11 Best Acne Treatment Tips for Teens

How you can help a teenager improve their skin and cope with breakouts

Managing teen acne can be a challenge. Aside from the fact that skin likely needs more care now than it ever has, everyone's acne is different—so the best strategies for one person may be different for another.

The first step in managing teen acne is learning what does and doesn't actually cause breakouts, and what acne treatments are available. The next step may involve some trial and error to figure out what works best.

Read on to learn about what may be causing your teen's acne and what isn't (though they may have heard otherwise). Review the variety of over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments, how best to care for skin, and ways to help them cope with this phase of life.

Tips for clearing acne
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon

Know What Doesn't Cause Acne

Contrary to what you may have heard, acne is not caused by:

  • A dirty face
  • Foods like chocolate or French fries
  • Masturbating, having sex, or not doing either

It can be tough when a teen is breaking out and their friends have clear skin. It's important that you tell them acne is not their fault.

For young people especially, acne can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations during puberty. Thanks to genetics, some people are also just more likely to get pimples than others.

Make Daily Skincare a Habit

Even though acne isn't caused by neglecting to wash your face, the excess oil and dirt that builds up throughout the day won't help. That is why a good skincare routine is important.

A basic face soap or cleanser is all your teen needs, along with a moisturizer if their skin is feeling dry. Encourage your teen to wash their face routinely in the morning, at night, and after exercising, heavy sweating, or getting dirty. It only takes a few minutes a day and doesn't require a lot of fancy products.

Consistency is also key to successful acne control. Tell your teen that you know they're busy and there might be times when they just flat-out forget to do their skincare routine. However, make sure your teen understands that if they're not cleansing regularly, their skin will not clear up.

While a teen is capable of taking on the responsibility of their own skincare, anyone starting a new habit can benefit from some help. For example, you might:

  • Leave skincare products next to their toothbrush
  • Pack extra acne cleanser in their bag if they play sports and clean up before heading home
  • Keep a medicated cleanser in both the shower and next to the sink
  • Place a tube of acne cream on their nightstand
  • Suggest they set a reminder on their watch or cell phone

Review the directions on the product packaging with them, even if using it seems obvious. Make sure your teen understands and follows all the instructions your provider gave, and let your provider know if you or your teen has any questions.

Once your teen gets into the habit of using acne treatments, they'll find that it doesn't take much time and the payoff is well worth the commitment.

Start With OTC Acne Treatments

If your teen's acne is mild, or if they've just started to break out, they might be able to clear their skin with over-the-counter (OTC) acne medications.

However, not all acne products are created equal. The most effective ones will contain one or more of the following active ingredients on the label:

If you're helping your teen pick a product, don't worry too much about the brand name or what form of treatment it is (e.g., a medicated cleanser, pad, or lotion). Choose a product that fits your budget and is easy for them to work into their daily routine.

  • Cleansers: Look for products that contain 5% to 10% benzoyl peroxide as the main active ingredient if your teen has oily skin or salicylic acid with less benzoyl peroxide if your teen has sensitive skin. Apply the cleanser with the fingertips, and rinse the skin with lukewarm water. Avoid excessive scrubbing or washing because it can irritate the skin and make acne worse.
  • Gels and creams: After washing their face at night, your teen can apply a gel or cream as a spot treatment on any new pimples. Products should have benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, or salicylic acid as the active ingredient.

Know When a Prescription May Be Needed

If they've tried a variety of OTC acne products and your teen is still breaking out, they might need a prescription. Your family's healthcare provider can recommend prescription options that may help get your teen's acne under control.

Your teen doesn't necessarily have to see a dermatologist for acne. It's likely that your family healthcare provider has helped many teenagers manage breakouts. They can refer you to a dermatologist if they think it's necessary.

An advantage of prescription medications is that they are stronger, come in combinations, and usually work faster than OTC products. Often, they work when OTC products haven't.

If your teen's acne is severe, inflamed, or leaving scars, skip the OTC products and inquire about prescription medications right off the bat.

Specific prescription acne medications include:

  • Topical antibiotics: These medicines are applied directly to the skin to control bacteria and inflammation. Your healthcare provider might prescribe clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide, or a retinoid such as adapalene (Differin) or tretinoin (Retin-A).
  • Birth control pills: In teens assigned female at birth, low doses of estrogen and progesterone may help reduce acne.
  • Oral antibiotics: Like topical antibiotics, antibiotic pills can kill bacteria and reduce swelling. However, there are risks to taking them long-term so they are prescribed only when necessary.
  • Isotretinoin: This oral retinoid shrinks the size of oil glands. Like oral antibiotics, there are some health risks associated with using it, so it’s usually only prescribed if nothing else has worked. 

In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cabtreo (clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide), the first-ever triple-combination topical gel for treating acne in people ages 12 and older.

Remind Them Not to Pop Pimples

Picking and popping pimples can trigger acne, lead to infections, and cause scarring.

If your teen is desperate to heal a big pimple, have them use an acne spot treatment. These work by delivering treatment directly to a blemish, reducing redness, swelling, and inflammation.

Treat Body Acne Too

The face isn't the only place where acne can pop up. It also commonly appears in the following areas:

  • Back
  • Chest
  • Neck
  • Shoulders

Encourage your teen to shower regularly and especially after sweaty practices, games, and other workouts. Sweat can trigger oil production and clog pores, which leads to acne on the face or other parts of the body.

Many of the same medications used on your teen's face can also be used for other body parts. Benzoyl peroxide soaps and body washes are often used to treat body breakouts.

Your teen's provider might also prescribe other medications, like oral antibiotics or even ​isotretinoin. This will depend on how serious your teen's acne breakouts are.

Choose Non-Comedogenic Cosmetics

Some cosmetics can cause pores to clog and make acne worse. Non-comedogenic cosmetics are products that contain ingredients that won't clog or block the pores, or don't create comedones (a type of acne blemish), on the skin.

If cosmetics are contributing to acne, you may notice many tiny bumps or possibly whiteheads on the cheeks, chin, and/or forehead. There may also be pimples or tiny breakouts around your lips caused by lipstick or lip balm.

Look for products that specify oil-free or non-comedogenic on the label.Keep in mind that just because a product is labeled non-comedogenic does not mean it won't clog pores—it's just less likely to do so. Your teen might have to try different non-comedogenic products to find the right ones for them.

It's also important not to overuse cosmetics and thoroughly remove them with an oil-free makeup remover and facial cleanser each day.

Protect the Skin From Sun

Sun exposure can make acne worse, and some medications make skin sensitive to the sun's rays. If your teen is planning to be in the sun, have them apply a non-oily sunscreen and when possible wear protective clothing, such as a hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves.

Avoid Unproven Acne Remedies

Just like there are many myths about what causes acne, there are also a lot of misconceptions about what can be used to treat it.

The internet is full of unproven home remedies said to banish pimples, including:

  • Cinnamon
  • Garlic
  • Lemon juice
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Toothpaste
  • Urine
  • Glass cleaner

If your teen comes to you wanting to try these remedies, gently explain that they don't work but that there is plenty of evidence that tried-and-true acne treatments do.

Give Shaving Advice

Make sure your teen knows to shave carefully around an area with pimples. The more the skin is irritated, the redder and more inflamed it's going to look.

Here are a few tips to give your teen if they shave:

  • Shave around pimples, if possible.
  • Avoid shaving the tops off of pimples.
  • Shave less often until the inflammation goes down.

Offer Support

Your teen may not want to admit it, but acne can take a toll on their self-esteem. It can make them feel less confident, insecure, angry, and depressed. These are normal feelings to have, but it's important to talk about them.

Starting treatment and seeing some positive results can really help your teen feel better. It also helps to support your teen in focusing on things other than their skin. It's also important your teen has realistic expectations about treatment.

There are many acne treatment products that can clear your teen's skin. However, despite advertising claims, even the most effective products won't work magic overnight. They won't cure acne, either.

It will likely take at least six to eight weeks of treatment before your teen starts to notice a change in their skin. A full response to treatment may take 12 weeks.

While you're waiting for results, help your teen stay distracted with sports, music, art, or any other interests they have.

There will likely be times when your teen just can't seem to not think about acne. If they seem preoccupied and distressed, make sure they know they can come to you for support.

It's also important to make sure your teen knows that if they'd rather not talk to you about how they're feeling, they should still reach out to someone else they trust—like a favorite teacher or coach.

You can also offer to help them get set up with a counselor or therapist if they're feeling very down and distracted by their acne.

If your teen is patient, they will almost certainly see improvement from using acne treatments. It just won't be as quick as some acne treatment products claim.

Summary

There are a lot of myths out there about the causes and treatment of acne. Here's the truth: If your teen is prone to acne, there are ways to treat it. By working with your family's healthcare provider or dermatologist, you can find over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription treatments that will work.

Make sure your teen avoids questionable home remedies for clearing up acne, though they might be popular online or with their peers. Help them establish a simple skincare routine. No matter what treatment your teen is using, make sure they stick with it long enough for it to work.

One way you can support your teen through dealing with acne is by making sure you're honest about what to expect. Your teen might be frustrated that they're still getting pimples while they're doing treatment, but that's normal. The breakouts won't stop all at once, but they will slowly start fading away if your teen keeps up with their skincare routine.

Even once their skin is clear, your teen still needs to keep up with their routine. Acne medications don't stop acne for good; rather, they just keep it under control. If your teen stops using the medication, acne will probably come back.

If your teen is consistently feeling frustrated and even depressed about their skin, make sure they know they can talk to you about how they're feeling. If they'd rather not talk to you, help them connect with another trusted adult like a coach or school counselor.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Angela Palmer
Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment.