Good facewash for a teen

[MrsReber]

Hi! My neice and nephew are going to spend a few weeks with me this summer. My sister said my poor neice (13) has horrible skin and she has to be reminded to wash her face often. Due to my sister's current financial situation, the kids live with EX-bil for now (who does not tell the kids to perform basic hygiene tasks like face washing teeth brushing :rolleyes: )

Anyway, I figure while they're here, I could pick up a good over the counter face wash or product that maybe could help my poor niece's skin clear up. Any suggestions on something good? It's been a while for me!

Thanks!

[Robyn1007]

There are two major types of cleansers available, those with salycilic acid and those with bezoyl peroxide. Most over the counter face washes have the salycilic acid but I found that if I use one with benzoyl peroxide in the evening and one with salycilic acid in the morning it's helpful. I do the morning one in the shower so it's easier to remember that way. I also like to use Witch Hazel as an astringent and that's super cheap. I also take an antibiotic daily as I've fought acne since my teens. I thought being 30 would help but not so far. Oh, you might also get her a moisturizer with salycilic acid, I know Clean & Clear, Aveeno and Neutrogena all make one. Oh, and have her use white towels cause this stuff will bleach your towels.

[DeeK]

The cleansers Robyn mentioned are BOTH really good. I've used them myself.

The other cleanser I really like is one with tea tree oil. I get mine at GNC. It really cuts the oil, but doesn't strip my skin.

Washing twice a day is plenty. Washing too frequently can actually cause more of an oil problem and your skin tries to rebalance itself after every washing. As long as your niece washes in the morning and (more importantly) in the evening, she should see improvement. Using a clean face cloth everytime helps to remove dead skin cells.

Have a good time with the kids.

[Abbey]

I use Oxy. It's in a black plastic bottle.. pretty easy to spot on the shelf. My Wal-Mart carries it. It's the only face wash I can find that has benzoyl peroxide in it.

[Robyn1007]

Just a brand for you, the benzoyl peroxide cleanser that I use is called Acne Free. It comes in either a kit with toner, peroxide lotion and spot treatment or just the cleanser. Proactiv is another well known brand but is more expensive.

[funniegrrl]

To echo the others, here's some articles by Paula Begoun, "The Cosmetics Cop." Her info is based on actual independent science not marketing! LOL

Battle Plans for Fighting Blemishes http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/art.asp?ID=138

Battle Plan for Getting Rid of Blackheads
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/art.asp?ID=202

[gertdog]

I was also going to mention Paula Begoun- in her books, she recommends NOT using face washes that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide because a) the active ingredients just rinse off when you rinse off the face wash and don't have time to work; and b) they can be very irritating if they get in your eyes while washing. Instead, she recommends a gentle face wash and THEN topical products that exfoliate and disinfect.

I use Neutrogena's Fresh Foaming Face Wash and really like it. It's gentle but removes excess oil and makeup.

[beacooker]

A dermatologist recommended Cetaphil to me years ago, because every other face wash I had tried was too drying. It has been a wonder-wash for me, and I've used it ever since. I would never have thought a face wash so inexpensive could work so well.

[SugarNSpice]

Cetaphil!
Cetaphil!
Cetaphil!

This is the best thing that happened to me. I had horrible acne in high school and now my face is clear and I firmly belive it was the Cetaphil. The version of Cetaphil I use is Alcohol-Free, this is very important because there is a bottle that contains alcohol which only made my face break out more.

[MrsReber]

Thanks for all the advice! Maybe we can get her skin a bit better in the time that she's here. I know sometimes it's easier for a child to listen to an adult who is NOT their own parent so maybe I can get her to take more care with her skin. I'll have to find out exactly what the problem is from my sister- blackheads or what??- so I can find the right product. I appreciate the recommendations. Thank you so much! :)

[suebear37]

I've spent the past several years trotting my sons to the dermatologist (well, actually, now that they're older they go by themselves) & the doctor always recommended Cetaphil for washing. It's great since it doesn't dry your skin out. I use it, too! My older son used a topical prescription cream but the younger one was able to get away with using Clearasil or a similar 10% benzoyl peroxide product.

Any chance you might be able to get her to a dermatologist while she's visiting?

[MrsReber]

Thanks- maybe I'll look for that today. I asked my sister if she uses anything right now and what her main problem is. I haven't seen her and the kids since Thanksgiving last year. Wow, can't believe it's been that long- but she was okay when I saw her then. It must be all that teen stuff kicking in.

Don't know about a dermatologist- I'll have to see how bad things are. I'm betting she'd probably look better with simply washing twice a day. As I mentioned, her father isn't much for personal hygiene and doesn't realize that you have to keep after kids to do things and accompany them to the bathroom at times to make sure it gets done right. I love asking my kids if they've washed their hands. I hear "yes!" Then I ask "with soap?" and I get "uh, whoops, forgot the soap." :rolleyes:

[Kristilyn1]

I've battled acne myself and if the other things don't work---I've had the best luck with plain old Dove soap. Anything else is too harsh for my skin--I end up with peeling skin around the zit, charming.

My all time best advice and it's REALLY important.


WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN AND DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE!!! It's amazing how many times you will reach up to touch your face when you have acne, you don't even realize you are doing it. Also, if she has long hair, try to wear her hair back to bed.

Kristi