Finding the best skincare for teens can feel like navigating a minefield of TikTok trends, elaborate routines and products designed for much older skin. But teenagers don't need a bathroom shelf full of serums, however convincing the latest viral video might be.
On the contrary, dermatology expert Dr Sonia Khorana tells The Independent, “A good skincare routine for teens usually includes a gentle cleanser, a lightweight moisturiser and a sunscreen. That’s really all they need at that age.” She “would strongly advise against anything that contains retinol or exfoliating acids”, warning that these ingredients can be “extremely irritating” unless “prescribed by a doctor”.
Much like choosing the best sunscreen for kids, gentle formulas should be the priority. And while skincare sets are among the most popular gifts for teens, the brands and bundles that are trending aren't necessarily suitable for young skin.
With this in mind, I enlisted my 16-year-old daughter to find out which products kept her skin calm and my parental budget in-check. Here are our top picks.
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The best teen skincare products for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Aveeno calm + restore oat gel moisturiser: £10.91, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Neutrogena clear + defend facial wash: £7.40, Amazon.co.uk
- Best cleanser – CeraVe foaming cleanser: £9.37, Amazon.co.uk
- Best lightweight moisturiser – The Ordinary natural moisturising factors + HA: £11.40, Lookfantastic.com
- Best sunscreen – The Inkey List polyglutamic acid dewy sunscreen SPF30: £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
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Aveeno calm + restore oat gel moisturiser
Best: teen skincare product overall
Why we love it
- Lightweight formula
- Fragrance-free
This gentle, calming moisturiser has a gel-like consistency and feels cooling on application. The formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive ones, and its key ingredient is soothing prebiotic oat, which is gentle and can relieve irritation, making it ideal for young skin. It has a glossy texture that gradually sinks into the skin, leaving it feeling soft – Lyla noted how comfortable the moisturiser is on dry patches or easily aggravated areas.
Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, it’s moisturising and offers lightweight hydration for teens prone to experiencing irritation or redness from skincare products.
Key specifications:
Buy now £10.91, Amazon.co.uk
Neutrogena clear + defend facial wash
Best: budget teen skincare product
Why we love it
- Deeply cleanses skin
Take note
- Could cause irritation to those with sensitive skin
A budget-friendly face wash, this oil-free cleanser is specifically formulated to help prevent breakouts due to the inclusion of the anti-inflammatory ingredient salicylic acid.
The cleanser can be used daily, and Lyla tended to use the face wash on alternate days with another cleanser, so as not to experience any of the active ingredient’s potential drying effects. She massaged the clear liquid into her skin before washing it off and following up with the lightweight Neutrogena hydro boost water gel moisturiser (£14.99, Boots.com). With frequent use, she saw refreshed, cleansed skin and the improvement of some blemishes, too.
It’s worth noting that because this product contains salicylic acid, it could cause irritation to those with sensitive skin, so, if you have any concerns, consult a dermatologist.
Key specifications:
Buy now £7.4, Amazon.co.uk
CeraVe foaming cleanser
Best: cleanser for teens
Why we love it
- Hydrating
CeraVe is a skincare brand beloved for its affordable and effective cleansers, with this foaming option featuring hydration-promoting ceramides and balancing niacinamide. Lyla found that the combination thoroughly cleaned her skin without causing tightness or drying it out, which can be a tricky balance to strike. The gel formula feels refreshing and it also removes make-up. This cleanser is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t block pores either.
It’s worth knowing this sizeable cleanser comes in an even bigger 473ml option, too. CeraVe also has a blemish control face cleanser for teens seeking an alternative from the brand that targets breakouts.
Key specifications:
For more recommendations, read our review of the best CeraVe products
Buy now £12.5, Lookfantastic
The Ordinary natural moisturising factors + HA
Best: moisturiser for teens
Why we love it
- Soothing and smoothing without greasiness
- Suitable for all skin types
A lightweight moisturiser suitable for all skin types, this product was specifically created to support the skin’s natural barrier. The inclusion of hydration-promoting hyaluronic acid and ceramides helps offer moisture to dry skin, and Lyla found it soothing and smoothing without any greasiness.
The moisturiser is white, but it rubs into skin leaving a transparent, silky soft sheen, acting as an ideal primer ahead of make-up. It’s also worth noting that both Lyla and I have patches of dryness while also being prone to sensitivity, and neither of us experienced any breakouts or sensitivity when using this gentle moisturiser.
Key specifications:
Buy now £11.4, Lookfantastic.com
Starface hydro-stars
Best: teen spot patches
Why we love it
- Keep irritated skin clean
Presented in a cute yellow compact complete with a useful application mirror, these star-shaped patches are the perfect size to cover small and big blemishes. The side of the sticker touching the skin is made from hydrocolloid, which is commonly used as a dressing to heal blisters and wounds. Because of that, Lyla found wearing them overnight dramatically improved the appearance of redness and inflammation. Lyla turned to the patches as a quick fix for stubborn spots and saw they looked less angry after wearing one of these fun stars.
The stickers also keep an irritated area clean; they don’t slide about, and there’s no tackiness during removal, either. There are 32 stickers included, providing value for money, too.
Key specifications:
For more recommendations, read our review of the best spot stickers
Buy now £11.99, Amazon.co.uk
Jojo Glow the cleansing mitts
Best: teen skincare product for make-up removal
Why we love it
- Feels luxurious to use
For the simplest skincare option of all, just add water to these mitts to remove make-up without using any other products. The double-sided microfibre extremely soft to the touch, which means it feels luxurious, and there’s a handy loop attachment for hanging them up. Both Lyla and I particularly liked the roll-up rectangular shape, which covered Lyla’s entire face with ease and removed both foundation and eye make-up.
A sustainably focused option for ongoing reuse, I’ve found it washes well and retains its softness, too.
Key specifications:
Buy now £15, Jojoglow.co.uk
The Inkey List polyglutamic acid dewy sunscreen SPF30
Best: teen sunscreen
Why we love it
- Fast-absorbing formula
This fast-absorbing sunscreen is smoothing and hydrating, thanks to the inclusion of hero ingredients polyglutamic acid, glycerin and squalane.
Our tester noted it’s a lightweight consistency that layers well with a moisturiser to create a smooth base, whether for a bare face or prepped for make-up. Plus, because it’s suitable for all skin types, this SPF is ideal for teenagers who are naturally more prone to sensitivity, irritation, and redness.
The compact tube is a useful size for popping in a bag for top-ups on the go, and we’re big fans of the purse-friendly price, too.
Key specifications:
Buy now £15, Lookfantastic
Curél deep moisture spray
Best: face mist for teens
Why we love it
- Quick hydration top-up
For a quick moisturiser on the go, this face mist is packed with hydrating ceramides and offers a finely dispersed spray that covers the skin with ease. It’s fragrance-free, suitable for dry and sensitive skin, and can be used both underneath and on top of make-up. Lyla enjoys using it as a refresher throughout the day, during hot weather and for extra hydration before bedtime. Plus, it’s a multi-tasking buy, as the moisture spray can be used on the body, too.
Key specifications:
Buy now £18.71, Amazon.co.uk
What is the best skincare product for teenagers?
Our overall best buy is Aveeno’s calm + restore oat gel moisturiser, thanks to its soothing formula and lightweight consistency. Meanwhile, the CeraVe foaming cleanser is suitable for all skin types and contains hydration-promoting ceramides.
How we tested
I called upon my 16-year-old daughter to review a selection of skincare over several months. When choosing the products for her to test, I avoided the ingredients Dr Khorana said could cause damage, including retinol and exfoliating acids and only selected products for a straightforward routine. Specifically, we both considered the following during testing:
What should be included in a teen skincare routine?
According to the NHS, “If they wear make-up, [teenagers] should remove this before bed. They can use a cleanser to wash their face in the morning and evening.” The health service also advises that teenagers should have access to skincare. One NHS department in Derbyshire suggests that teenagers should “use an oil free, high SPF sun cream if spending any time in the sun (30+),” and “resist the desire to scrub [their] face, [as] over-exfoliating the skin can cause inflammation.” As Dr Khorana mentions above, teens should also look to incorporate a lightweight moisturiser.
Read more: Best face sunscreens, reviewed
What age should teenagers start a skincare routine?
The NHS advises that “during puberty [teenagers] develop larger sweat glands and their skin will start to make more oils. The increase in oils can lead to greasy hair and spots.” As such, it recommends encouraging “them to establish a routine and maintain good personal hygiene.” As a general rule of thumb, the NHS lists that “puberty usually occurs between the ages of eight and 14 in girls and nine and 14 in boys,” so this is a good place to start.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Helen Wilson-Beevers has been reviewing products for IndyBest for the better part of a decade. Not only has she written several adult skincare guides, from the best cleansers to the best sunscreen sticks, but she’s previously enlisted her daughter – Lyla – in her guide to the best gifts for teenagers.
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