Thursday, August 18, 2016

Your Tween and Skin Care (Back to School)

As I think back to when I was 11, my morning skin care routine before school involved the simplest steps. I used water alone to wash my face and I remember using some form of cocoa butter cream for my face and the remainder of my body. I always bathed at night before bed to wash off the day and germs. So my mornings ran quickly with ease even though I loved to sleep to the last minute of the alarm clock sounding off for school. Every morning before school was a simple quick routine of: 1. brushing my teeth, 2. washing my face, and 3. moisturizing my skin and hair all before putting on clothes and eating breakfast.

Now a mother of 3, I noticed morning skin care routines for my children seem more like a chore than good hygiene. As each one becomes a tween they just aren’t that interested in good hygiene for this moment in life. My simple steps I teach, which now includes a mild cleanser (instead of my childhood water), are just one to many. It’s almost like they are wishing for a magic portal to make them fresh and ready to walk out the door. Or even better, they’re waiting for me to do it for them!

Tweens may seem to have a hard time adjusting to their changing bodies and lives as they head off to middle school or junior high. Making sure they keep up with a good skin care routine is good for their health and hygiene. It also sets a good platform for them to continue on into their teenage years (when they really want it!). My advice is to keep their products simple and gentle. Now is a good time to introduce them to natural formulas to keep their skin as healthy as possible. If your tween has any active skin conditions like acne or eczema, inquire with your health practitioner about using natural alternatives first to treat their skin with nutrition integrated. Early prevention and correction can promote their self confidence among their peers and educators.

Your natural mild cleanser should only contain 10% soap or cleansing agent. If it contains more than that I recommend cutting it with oil and/or water. Too much soap or cleanser is very drying especially on young skin. To find out how much cleansing agent is in a bottle read the ingredient label. If it’s the first 1 to 3 ingredients listed it’s about 50% or more in content or you can call the company for the details. Try a moisturizer that’s aloe based first before using oil based. If your tween skin is still dry after using an aloe based, the oil based would work best.

After they have done their best in completing their morning routine and before they head out the door; look at your beautiful child/tween and remind them how beautiful they are inside and how gorgeous or handsome they are outside! They’re only a tween once! Make these years an easy transition you’ll both enjoy.

Love Power!

Jahnel Profit, Licensed Esthetician & Herbal Skin Care Therapist