Hi, my teenage daughter has quite a bit of pimples and irritated skin on her forehead and shoulder area probably due to puberty. Are there any products that we could possibly take/ apply that might assist with the outbreaks? Thanks!

Hi, as you suspect, it’s not unusual for teenagers to experience an outbreak of acne and this is usually due to fluctuating levels of hormones, such as oestrogen, testosterone and progesterone. 

I would firstly like to ask what her menstrual cycle is like – what symptoms does she exhibit in the lead up to her period? Does she become more fatigued, prone to weepiness or find that her self-esteem takes a real hit? If this is the case, it’s possible that rising levels of progesterone could be linked to her acne outbreak.

It’s also important that you keep an eye on what your daughter is eating. Teenagers are notorious for stocking up on sugar foods, crisps and energy drinks but all of these can easily upset our skin. I talk a bit more about the types of foods to watch out for in one of our skin blogs ‘5 foods that may encourage an acne outbreak’ but the important thing is to try to make sure her diet is balanced and that she’s getting a healthy intake of nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E, as well as key nutrients like zinc and selenium. A teenage multivitamin may also be a good option for her. 

Your daughter may also be tempted to hide her acne under a layer of make-up but this doesn’t really help and may in fact exacerbate the breakout. This is because most high-street cosmetics are loaded with abrasive chemicals. Instead, I would invest in a high quality cleanser, toner and moisturiser that contain natural, soothing ingredients. Salcura  are one of my favourite natural brands and they contain a range of products for acne-prone skin which you can find with our friends at Jan de Vries.

We wouldn’t and can’t legally recommend anything that would influence her hormones considering her age, but it's often the case that they start to calm down naturally in due course. Our Echinacea Cream may also be an option for you in the meantime as it’s specifically indicated for spot-prone skin. It’s extremely soothing and contains compounds that can promote healing as well as possessing natural antibacterial qualities.

Best wishes,

Emma