Everything you need to know about teenage acne, according to a dermatologist.

At almost 36 years old, I’m only now at a point where I’m confident that my acne years are (basically) over. That milestone hasn’t come easily though; in fact, it has taken many doctors, medications and other treatments at a cost of thousands of dollars to get here. 

My acne started in my early teens with a few blackheads and pimples, and quickly spiralled out of control. Although acne is very common and even considered normal for teens, it’s difficult to communicate just what an enormous impact having bad skin can have on your self-confidence (like how it can make it non-existent). 

Now, as my own children steadily approach teenagehood, acne seems to be staring them right in the face (or more accurately, back at them in the mirror). As parents, we want to do our very best for our children and help them as much as we can, but it's next to impossible to be an expert on absolutely everything. 

So, to stock up on all the teen acne knowledge, we brought in an expert. Here's everything dermatologist and founder of Script Skincare, Professor Greg Goodman, thinks you need to know.

Acne is not simply a 'rite of passage'.

It seems pretty obvious to suggest that acne can have a negative impact on our mental health. But there has been some pretty heafty studies done into the extent of this effect.

In their recent research, skincare brand SkinB5 found that the impact of acne on people's mental health and wellbeing can often be described as debilitating. 

Despite my own experience, when my teen started getting a few pimples I, too, brushed it off as a normal part of the adolescent journey. However, Professor Goodman suggests that this outlook can be problematic in itself. 

“It's not a right of passage, it's a destruction of your self-esteem,” he tells Mamamia.

This makes sense, though. As a teen, I was desperate for my feelings to be validated, rather than simply brushed off as a normal part of adolescence we must suffer through.

It's completely treatable.

After speaking with Professor Goodman, I’ve learned that while normal, teen acne is completely curable. 

“You really need to make sure that they're being treated adequately and well. It's not a condition that near enough is good enough. You should have clearance as your aim as a dermatologist or as a clinician.”

One of the big reasons to seek early and adequate treatment for acne is to prevent scarring, with Professor Goodman explaining that 95 per cent of people with significant acne will get acne scarring within a three-year period if their condition is not being managed properly.

“If the pimples are staying, if they're leaving any marks, if they're more than a couple — in other words, if they keep on getting pimples over and over again so they've never got a clear face — then you need to be seeking some professional attention certainly, from your GP or a dermatologist,” he says.

There are a lot of misconceptions about the cause of acne.

There are a lot of misconceptions about acne circulating, including the idea that it’s caused by not cleansing properly. Unfortunately, while there are many topical treatments that can help, for most people with stubborn acne scrubbing harder won’t make it go away. 

“Cleansing is useful, but it isn't going to make the difference between having acne and not having acne,” Professor Goodman says.

“And the last thing you want to do is start over-cleansing, because then you change the skin barrier function and you get more acne rather than less acne.”

Because those treatments are applied to the skin and treat the symptoms on the surface, they don’t get to the possible internal imbalances that can exacerbate breakouts, which is why the products you choose to treat the acne are important.

Not all ingredients are made equal.

As for specific ingredients, Professor Goodman suggests there's a few to look at for.

“If you want to go natural, things like zinc capsules or tablets, B3 and B5 are pretty useful,” Professor Goodman tells Mamamia. 

When looking for some options for my own kids, I've discovered SkinB5's simple three-step system begins with oral supplements, which not only aims to alleviate symptoms of acne on the skin level, but from within too.

A holistic approach to skincare, SkinB5 uses a patented formula that harnesses the power of a high-dose vitamin B5, combined with vitamin B3, folic acid, zinc and copper to help manage the root cause of acne and recover clear skin, rather than focusing only on external symptoms such as pimples, blackheads and breakouts, all without any of the chemicals that can dry out your skin. 

It's also really easy to use – the cleanser can be kept in the shower while the moisturiser can be kept on the bathroom sink right next to their toothpaste. Professor Goodman says simplicity is important in any skincare routine, especially for teens as compliance can be one of the bigger challenges when treating acne. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SkinB5™️ - Next Gen Clear Skin (@skinb5)

“You've got to make treatment palatable,” he explains. 

“That's the reason we use a lot of short-contact topical treatments. You’ve got to keep it something that is easy for them to use, and pleasant.”

The range of products on the market for acne is overwhelming, to say the least, but Professor Goodman explained a simple way to distinguish what’s likely to be good from what might make the problem even worse. 

“There are some things that will induce acne and you’ve just got to keep away from those products,” he says. 

“There are things called comedogenic materials — some oils and preservatives for example — that can clog the pores, but if the manufacturers have created products that are good for skin, they'll tell you about it. They'll mention they’re non-comedogenic or non-pore-clogging.”

Professor Goodman advises that unless the claim is on the packaging, don't use it.

Don't ride it out.

Professor Goodman stresses the importance of seeking treatment early to avoid any lasting effects on the skin. 

“I often see teens when they're very severe or they've already got scarring and that sort of thing,” he tells Mamamia. 

So if there's anything you take from this, it's don't wait it out. 

Explore the SkinB5 range, tackling teenage acne and other skin conditions from their root cause. Use our code mamamia2022 for 10 per cent off your next purchase.

Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice. T&Cs apply to using the discount code.

Feature Image: Canva.