Is there a right way of introducing beauty to teenagers—and whose responsibility is it?

With limitless exposure to every aspect of beauty, how do we make sure that teenagers approach beauty responsibly and mindfully?

Not too long ago, we could count the number of beauty influencers (bloggers, circa 2014 and earlier) and YouTubers in India as well as abroad on our fingers. Cut to today, in just a decade’s time, the number has proliferated abundantly across the globe. Now, it’s not a tall order to surmise the key target audiences of these creators, considering social media platforms, used predominantly by the Gen Z and millennials, make up their place of business.

“A survey conducted in 2022 revealed that a majority of children between 13 and 17 years in India spent more than one hour per day on social media, videos, and games on the Internet, as reported by about 78 per cent of parents,” reveals a Statista report. The short-lived arrival of TikTok—an application where most of the global beauty trends germinate from today—in India only boosted the presence of teenagers on social media applications. The conclusion? The exposure of teenagers to various facets of lifestyle— not just beauty—are at an all-time high. 

If you are a millennial (or even a Gen Z born in the early 2000s), you’d agree that your teenage years looked very different from teenagers today. While seeing the women in our families wear lipstick or glide on eyeliner acted as the only source of exposure to beauty, thanks to the easy availability of smartphones and access to the Internet and thereby social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, teenagers today can absorb a plethora of visual and textual content, including on make-up and skincare, in a finger snap. From curated routines for various skin types tomake-up look tutorials, teenagers have everything at their disposal. Among creators and celebrities who are (or started out) also in their teenage years, think Millie Bobby Brown, Olivia Rodrigo, Nil Sani, Jake Warden and closer home, Tarini Shah and Mrunal Panchal.

However, an imprudent and unmonitored exposure may not always be in the favour of teenagers, especially their skin. For instance, in a post over 3.4 years ago, then-16-year-old Sani vouched for the benefits of using Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream to cop glowing skin. Not every impressionable teenager will realise how retinol can be potent enough for even those in their 30s and 40s, and may just pursue the ingredient/product to achieve exactly what they see in a sponsored post. In such a situation, what really is the right way to introduce beauty to teenagers in a salubrious fashion? Is it just the responsibility of their parents? We attempt to find out.

The different needs of teenage skin

Teenage is a transitioning period; puberty is on its way and your skin has a new mood every day. Your skin is neither that of a baby anymore, nor does it require extreme care as it won’t even have the threshold for potent ingredients. “The skin’s pH and physiology are different in teenagers as compared to adults; there are hormonal changes and skin is vulnerable,” says Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist Dr Madhuri Agarwal. “Also, the skin at this age is going through variable changes and so it requires products that are more appropriate for their age and skin needs,” furthers the dermatologist who believes that teenagers must use regular products like a face wash and sunscreen starting from the age of 13. “However, active ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, retinol and so forth are a big no-no. They should only be used after the age of 20, after consulting a dermatologist.”

So, do teenagers really need separately-made skincare products? Not really, opines celebrity dermatologist and author of The Skincare Answer Book, Dr Jaishree Sharad. “While there are skincare products marketed specifically for teenagers, it is not a strict requirement. The appropriateness of using regular skincare products depends more on an individual’s skin type, concerns and sensitivities rather than their age. Some teenagers may have specific skin issues such as acne, oiliness or sensitivity that could benefit from targeted formulations. In such cases, using products designed to address those concerns can be helpful,” says the dermatologist. “However, many regular skincare products available in the market are formulated to be gentle, non-comedogenic and suitable for a wide range of skin types, including teenagers.”

What propels brands to launch different products for teenagers?

“We have targeted products for babies, adults and anti-ageing, so why can’t we have specialised products to address the skin concerns of a growing child?” questions Sandhya Mohanani, founder of Evaana Wellness, which offers skincare and make-up products for teens and pre-teens. “In fact, in the growing years, teenagers go through maximum changes in their body and skin such as hormonal changes, food habits and all forms of stress, which can make their skin more sensitive,” she adds, indicating the need for products made especially to suit the skin of teenagers. 

Along the same lines, Sanya Dawar, marketing and communications lead at Forest Essentials says, “Between the ages of 13 to 15, teenagers embark on a journey of transformation and growth and their skin also starts to deal with concerns such as acne, blemishes, sun damage and pigmentation. It is essential to make sure skin care formulations for teenagers are non-comedogenic.” Talking about how the brand’s new Yuvati range, devised particularly for younger skin helps teenagers, Dawar says. “Starting off a skincare routine as a teenager can be a rather daunting process, given the countless brands and products available in the market today. From referring to skincare guides and videos to figuring out your skin type and products that work for you, the process can be overwhelming. The Yuvati Selection keeps their changing skin concerns in mind. All the ingredients of this skincare regime like silver, zinc, freshwater pearls and ruby powder are made according to traditional Ayurvedic formulas and work in synergy to hydrate the skin, whilst reducing pigmentation and acne scars.”

A shared responsibility

“I think it’s natural for a teenager to want to experiment with beauty,” says Jasmine Wicks, founder of Faace Beauty. “It’s a time when you are transitioning from childhood to adulthood and are experimenting with your sense of style, understanding your sense of self, and beauty for some could play a key role in that. Self-expression to support self-confidence should always be encouraged and nurtured.”

Having that said, impolitic use of products can welcome uninvited skin issues. “I believe it is a shared responsibility among various stakeholders to foster the right and informative introduction to beauty for teenagers, especially in the age of social media influence. This includes parents, healthcare professionals and dermatologists, educational institutions, social media platforms and the beauty industry,” says Sharad, “While dermatologists provide evidence-based information and dispel myths, incorporating skincare education into school curriculum or organising related workshops can help teenagers gain a better understanding of their skin and how to care for it. Social media platforms also have a responsibility to regulate and monitor content related to beauty and skincare.”

While Wicks agrees with Sharad, she thinks that brands have a responsibility to be transparent about their products for everyone they are communicating with. “I also think we have a responsibility to be honest about the imagery (and therefore expectations) we are showing young people (and all people) and so, I don’t like to have my face filtered in a picture. It’s important we set realistic expectations about our skin, what it looks like in real life and how it’s been achieved.” Dawar adds, “Brands and content creators, both have a huge role in knowingly and unknowingly influencing a very young audience who have sensitive skin. Most young consumers today discover and introduce each other to products through word of mouth and social media platforms, so it is very important to evaluate the kind of information that is being put out.”

Mohanani, who is also a mother, thinks mothers also play a significant role here. “The right way to introduce beauty/skincare to a teenager would be by making sure that the ingredients and the products are made for their sensitive skin and address their skin challenges. Mothers are the decision-makers here and I think they could take the plunge to introduce their children to the right products for all their self-care needs and teach them to develop a healthy routine.”

The do’s and don’ts of beauty for teenagers 

“I think at any age, I don’t believe you should be overloading your skin with too many products at any one time as you can cause breakouts and exacerbate any issues you might be trying to reduce,” suggests Wicks. “By grabbing one product that has been designed to help your skin at that time , you might find you get the desired results, rather than layering upon layering. Ultimately when you are a teenager, or at any age, you want to keep the skin balanced and not cause aggravation (unless of course that is the desired effect for line reduction, for example). Streamlining your routine, I believe, can help with this.” Both Agarwal and Sharad recommend cleansing your skin, being religious with moisturiser and sunscreen application and removing make-up before going to bed. In case of acne or any other skin concerns, it’s best to consult with a dermatologist first before including any chemical active in your skincare routine as a teenager.

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