Recently, something happened that I never thought I’d see: my teenage son burst into my room after washing his face, asking me, dramatically, what else he could use because his skin was “so bad”. I say dramatically because he had one spot at the time. His skin was not bad at all, in fact. But after years of haranguing him into the bathroom, buying him various skincare products and repeatedly showing him how to wash his face properly, I never thought I’d see the day when he was not only doing it off his own bat, but was now interested in trying other things. Stick a fork in me, I thought. Teen and preteen skincare can be a minefield, even more so in recent years since brands started jumping on the bandwagon, targeting products at young people that they absolutely don’t need, and in some cases, do more harm than good. Realistically, kids of eight, nine or 10 years of age, and even a little beyond, don’t need a “skincare routine”, though it’s not a bad idea to get them into the habit of just washing their face. This alone will stand them in good stead.Once they reach their early teens, you can introduce them to a few other products to help them look after their skin. And I really mean a few basics they can use consistently that are gentle on their skin and that they’ll actually like using. The first and most important step is a gentle cleanser to use in the morning and evening. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (€13 for 236ml from Boots) or Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser (€24 from drsambunting.com). Both are affordable crowd pleasers and suitable for sensitive skin. Buy a pack of face cloths (Penney’s has great ones) that they can use to properly remove the cleanser. They can be thrown in the washing machine and used again and again. One face cloth is for one face wash. It goes in the wash basket, and a fresh one is used the following day. This is especially important when dealing with teen or preteen skin as you don’t want to remove bacteria, oil, dirt and everything else that lands on their skin during the day, only to put it back on their face with a dirty face cloth. It’s a simple habit that can make a big difference to their skin.CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (€13 for 236ml at Boots) and Dr Sam's Flawless Cleanser (€24 from drsambunting.com) After that comes a gentle moisturiser, preferably one that contains a high SPF so you don’t have to wrangle them into applying a separate sunscreen. CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50 (€18 from millies.ie) or Cetaphil Daily Defence Cream SPF50 (€19.99 from Boots) are good options. CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50 (€18 from millies.ie) and Cetaphil Daily Defence Cream SPF50 (€19.99 from Boots) If and when they start experiencing breakouts, blackheads, pimples and so on, you can bring in a gentle exfoliant to help control oil, treat existing breakouts and reduce the likelihood of new ones. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (€38.95 from cloud10beauty.com) is a great option, and it’s easy to use. Shake a couple of drops on to a cotton pad, swipe all over the face, and that’s it. Use two or three times a week at night after cleansing to start, and see how that goes. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (€38.95 from cloud10beauty.com) Starting a skincare routine can be fun, but as always with anything new – and especially when it comes to delicate teen and preteen skin – there are a couple of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind. Don’t let them over-exfoliate. They don’t need it. Treating breakouts once or twice a week is more than enough at this stage. Unless prescribed by a GP or dermatologist, never, ever let them use a retinoid (like retinol, retinal and so on). It can do more harm than good.Encourage them not to touch their face. I know this is easier said than done, but it’s a surefire way to spread bacteria and guarantee an eruption of spots. And on the subject of spots, don’t let them squeeze. It can cause irritation, inflammation, and in some cases, scarring. Don’t let them use any specific anti-ageing or regenerative products, or ingredients such as collagen, peptides, and so on. Again, they can do more harm than good. If they do want to use some fun, non-active skincare products, then of course let them at it – just be careful what products they use. Patchology Hydrate Sheet Mask (€10 for a pack of two from Space NK) and Dr Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Sheet Mask (€35 for a pack of five from Brown Thomas) For example, sheet masks of the hydration variety (and cooling cryo sticks or globes) can be fun, and a way to show them how skincare can be enjoyable and feel good. Gentle, reliable and affordable options include Patchology Hydrate Sheet Mask (€10 for a pack of two from Space NK) and Dr Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Sheet Mask (€35 for a pack of five from Brown Thomas). This week I’m loving… Aveda One for All Leave-In ElixirAveda One For All Leave-In Elixir (€34 from Arnotts) An impressive new product from Aveda, One For All Leave-In Elixir (€34 from Arnotts) boasts 25 benefits for the hair in one product. A lightweight liquid cream you spritz on, it hydrates, adds shine, conditions, detangles, provides heat protection, controls static and helps prevent split ends. It also smells delicious.