The teenage years are the perfect time to begin learning how to be a smart skincare consumer. In this article, you’ll learn how to help teens read and understand product labels, shop by skin type and learn to see past gimmicks and advertising to find products that’ll get them more for their money.

Finally, see our list of product suggestions, all under $20.

Help your teen learn about skin types (and hair types)

Shopping on a budget starts with knowing the products you need before you reach the cosmetics aisle. First, have your teen take some time and evaluate his or her skin type. Skin types go beyond normal, dry and combination; some teens have skin that looks oily but still feels dry and tight without the right moisturizer, while other teens might have extremely sensitive skin that reacts easily to product ingredients. And of course, every teen can suffer from acne – even those with super-dry skin. By identifying key problems, you’ll be able to easily find solutions appropriate for your teen’s specific skin.

The same is true with hair; whether your teen has frizzy curls that need to be tamed or fine hair in need of some volume, it’s important to identify what you’re looking for before starting to shop.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Where does my skin feel oily, and where does it feel dry? If it’s a little of both, look for products designed to meet the needs of combination skin.

• What season will I be using this product in? Summertime requires lighter products, while winter formulas should provide more moisture.

• Is there something specific I want my product to do? You might be looking for a formula to help clear and dry excess oil. If not, a basic cleanser and moisturizer may do the trick.

Learn to read product labels

Once your teen has identified key concerns, it’s time to understand how to look for specific terms on the product label – a much better method than relying on the product’s advertising to tell everything you need to know.

Here are a few important terms to understand:

• Hypoallergenic. If your teen complains that certain products burn or sting, he or she may have sensitive skin. Hypoallergenic products are formulated to be free from allergens and irritating ingredients – although ultimately, everyone will react differently to products, so finding the right ones comes down to trial and error.

• Non-comedogenic. This is an important term for anyone who struggles with acne or occasional breakouts. It means that the product doesn’t contain ingredients that clog pores (you might also see this written simply as “won’t clog pores.”)

• Oil-free. Here’s another term important for skin prone to breakouts or oily complexions. Lotions and other products formulated without oil are lighter and less likely to contribute to shiny skin.

• Natural. Would you believe that terms like “natural,” “made with organic ingredients” or “botanical ingredients” don’t mean much of anything at all? These terms are only loosely regulated, and the FDA has little connection with whether or not such words are displayed on product labels. So, companies can advertise these “natural” products any way they wish.

Also, natural products aren’t necessarily better for those with sensitive skin. There are a wide array of completely natural ingredients that are very likely to irritate sensitive complexions, so whether a natural or synthetic product is better for your skin depends on the specific ingredients included.

This doesn’t mean that natural ingredients are bad; in fact, many natural ingredients are highly effective. It just means you should stick with reputable brands. If you’re curious about a new company, do some research first. Eventually you’ll find a handful of companies with pure products that are healthy for your skin.

Understand active ingredients

When a teen is surrounded by shelves of products all claiming to clear up acne, how will he or she choose between them? Without any skincare knowledge, the easiest way might be to choose the one with the best advertisements, or go by a friend’s recommendation. But it’s much more effective to choose by active ingredient. After all, there are only a small handful of ingredients that work to help with specific conditions, like acne. Here are some ingredients you’ll probably come across:

• Salicylic acid. This is an acne-fighting staple. Made from white willow bark, salicylic acid fights acne by exfoliating to unclog blocked pores. It’s a very gentle ingredient that’s used in acne formulas for adults as well.
• Try: H2O Plus Anti-Acne Clarifying Spot Solution, $14

• Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most popular acne ingredients, and it’s highly effective at killing the bacteria responsible for acne while also drying up excess oil. Some people might find that benzoyl peroxide is too harsh and drying, so start slowly. You’ll typically find this ingredient at strengths of 2.5, 5 or 10 percent; to avoid irritation, you might want to start with a lower strength formula.
• Try: Neutrogena On the Spot Acne Treatment, $6

• Sulfur. Another great ingredient for drying pimples, sulfur’s only real downfall is its strong smell and thick texture. Sulfur-based formulas are best used as a nighttime treatment.

  • Try: University Medical AcneFree Therapeutic Sulfur Mask, $7.99

Understand wants vs. needs

If your teen is on a limited budget, it’s important to understand which items are daily necessities and which are splurges. Does your daughter really need that purple eye shadow, or could she buy a cheaper makeup brand and use her money on a high-quality cleanser? Should she purchase an expensive night cream? Here’s a shopping list to help your teen prioritize skincare and beauty purchases:

Needs:

• Effective daily cleanser. Kids as young as 11 or 12 can start washing their faces twice a day, which is an excellent introduction to a daily skincare regimen. And, a cleanser doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to be effective.
• Try: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, $9.59

• No-frills daily moisturizer. After cleansing, have your teen hydrate at least once a day with an inexpensive facial lotion that won’t clog the pores or contribute to acne. You don’t need separate day and night creams or expensive ingredients at this age.
• Try: Desert Essence Daily Essential Facial Moisturizer, $6.99 

• Acne products. Fighting breakouts should be a top priority. If your teen is lucky enough to only break out here and there, then an acne spot treatment is all that’s needed. Just a little dab will go a long way toward fading spots and preventing blemishes from getting worse. Other teens might look into an all-over treatment product.
• Try: Murad Acne Spot Treatment, $18
• Try: M.D. Forte Glycare Perfection Gel Acne Medication, $17.25

• Lightweight foundation. Acne can be painful, both physically and emotionally, so help your teen find a budget-friendly foundation that evens out skin tone and conceals blemishes without feeling too heavy or oily.
• Try: Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup, $13.99

• SPF. Your teen should be wearing a product with SPF on a daily basis, all year long. An SPF facial product is inexpensive and will help your teen maintain skin that’s youthful and radiant. You can purchase a two-in-one moisturizer with sunscreen to save some money.
• Try: Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer Untinted, $13

• Daily shampoo and conditioner. Don’t be talked into buying your teen fancy celebrity hair care products; just look for a simple shampoo and conditioner set designed for his or her specific hair type. Choose according to hair texture, condition and amount of hydration needed.

• Dry, coarse or color-treated: This type of hair needs extra hydration and care, so lather on Melvita Essentials Dry Hair Shampoo, $14.
• Curly or wavy: Bring out those corkscrews with products created specifically for curly hair. Try Kinky-Curly Come Clean Shampoo, $12
• Fine, straight: You’ll need a formula that won’t weigh the hair down; try a volumizing shampoo like L'Occitane Aromachologie Volumizing Shampoo, $18.

Extras:

• Exfoliating scrub: A scrub is one of the first things to buy after starting a daily skincare regimen. You can find many high quality exfoliating formulas that fit into a teen’s budget. Just make sure to skip super-coarse scrubs, as these can irritate skin – and if your teen has acne, it can actually make breakouts worse. Fine granules and beads will gently remove dead skin cells for smooth skin.
• Try: Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub, $17.50

• Toner. Some people swear by toner, while others say this step is completely unnecessary. Teenage skin might benefit from a toner that helps control shine, exfoliate skin and prevent blemishes – but make sure to have a daily cleansing and moisturizing regimen first.
• Try: Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner, $7

• Makeup kit. She’ll probably swear that makeup is more important than skincare, but have your teenage daughter focus first on achieving healthy, balanced skin. Then, you can look into creating an inexpensive makeup kit with basics like mascara, eye shadow, lip gloss and blush. You might start with a readymade kit that contains all the essentials, and let your daughter buy additional items as she needs them.
• Try: Stila Fabulous in Fiji - Fiji, $10

While teenagers may not have a lot of money to spend on skincare, they’re often just as concerned with caring for their hair and skin as adults. Having less spending money doesn’t mean that teenagers can’t buy quality products, too, so help your teen be smart about skincare and spend accordingly.

See also:  

Keep it Natural, Baby: 10 Natural Products for Your Little One

Budget Beauty for the Office: 15 Affordable Finds

How to Approach Skincare for Tweens

Beauty on a Budget Handbook