Beauty Clinic: Help for teen skin problems
Q. My 13-year old daughter is suffering from breakouts due to hormonal changes. Her skin is very sensitive and can be very oily but is more usually dry. She seems to react to certain products, which cause her eyelids to swell and her skin to go very red. The skin under her chin and neck is very rough and pimply. She is being picked on, especially when her skin is reacting. Can you advise on the best way to look after her skin?
A. Beastly that your daughter is being picked on and the stress of that won’t help her skin, as the stress hormone cortisol affects skin significantly, not to mention all the other hormones racing around during puberty.
It does sound as if she has a combination of possible problems, including perhaps an allergy or sensitivity to some ingredients in skincare. The best thing would be to consult your GP and ask for a referral to a dermatologist.
You may find helpful information on the Skins Matter website, skinsmatter.com, which also has a Facebook page.
Meanwhile, very gentle skincare may help, together with devising with you some - perhaps light-hearted - responses to the bullies so they look silly and she can cope more calmly with them. (Sarah had such terrible acne during her teens that she was known as Spotty Muldoon…)
Pharmacist Shabir Daya suggests using Garden of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum/£10 for 30ml, which is anti-inflammatory, regulates sebum and is hydrating and softening as well as improving skin barrier function.
For general skincare, he suggests using Cetaphil products. Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser/£8.99 for 236ml, is formulated for sensitive and problem skin and is exceptionally soothing. Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion/£8.20 for 236 ml, is non-greasy, quickly absorbed and won’t block pores; it should help with the rough skin and can be used all over her body if needed.
