As teens get older, their bodies undergo a phase well known as puberty. During puberty, one can experience a plethora of effects such as voice deepening, advanced hair growth and other hormonal changes.

However, one effect that many teens experience and struggle with is acne. It is caused when hair follicles are clogged by sebum, a natural oily substance found in the skin. When they are clogged, they form red spots on your skin, in addition to lesions. These are not fun, as they can be irritating and stubborn to fight against.

A great way to counteract acne is skincare. As children get older, their skin can not stay smooth and spotless by itself. Skincare products help maintain hydration and keep the skin healthy. The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and like all other organs in our body, it is important to keep it in optimal condition. Additionally, having a skincare routine prevents any bumps in the future; it is much easier than having to correct the skin after new bumps occur.

Skincare products have great variety, each with their different functions and when to use them. Cleansers are designed to be used when washing the face. Toners smoothen and calm the face after the face is washed. Exfoliators are used to remove dead skin cells, which can build up on the skin after a period of time. These are just a couple of standard products, and different variants, such as oil-free versions of products, are available to those with varying skin conditions.

For those who are just getting into skincare, they can be overwhelmed by the plethora of products, made with different ingredients. Therefore, those practicing should experiment with different products, and see which is best for their skin. Alongside, the quality of those products also matters, as low-quality products can lead to subpar results, and even infections and irritation.

But that is just one of the reasons why skincare is so beneficial. Skincare can also play an important role in keeping one’s confidence and self-esteem. According to an article from Bao Laboratory, a significant obstacle is negatively viewing how people look at themself in the mirror. People can feel self-conscious about their appearance when their skin is not as good as they expect. However, when someone wakes up to clear skin, they feel happy, and more confident in themselves.

“I think skincare is very important, especially your face, that’s like your moneymaker,” FHS Biology and Special Education teacher Monica Ardanuy said. “Just making sure to have healthy skin just reflects your overall health.”

Skincare is a journey of trial and error. Implementing it into daily life keeps the skin glowing, and lets people shine at their best.