Teen Skincare Myths That Make Sensitive Skin Worse

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram lately, you may have been exposed to some skin care myths for teens that can be harmful to your skin.

ContentsTeen Skincare Myths #1: Beef fat will clear your acne and give you glowing skinThe truthWhy it is harmfulWhat to use insteadMyth #2: More acids and exfoliants = better skinThe truthWhy it is harmfulWhat to use insteadTeen Skincare Myth #3: Skip moisturizer to clear acneThe truthWhy it is harmfulWhat to use insteadMyth #4: Fragrant sheet masks are a treat for your skinThe truthWhy it is harmfulWhat to use insteadTeen Skincare Myth #5: DIY skin care remedies from TikTok are natural and safeThe truthWhy it is harmfulWhat to use insteadSkin Care Myths for Teens: Stick to a Simple Teen-Safe Routine

Some “get off with me” videos may look fun, but dermatologists are sounding the alarm. A recent study published in the journalPediatricsfound that teens use an average of 11 potentially irritating ingredients and up to 21 in their daily skin care routines — and many of them make their skin worse, not better.

The researchers wrote: “Skin care regimens on TikTok are expensive, rarely include sunscreen, and often involve exposure to ingredients that pose a risk of irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, and sun sensitivity. They provide little to no benefit to the pediatric populations they target.”

If you’re a teen who suffers from sensitive skin, acne, or is just trying to take good care of your skin, it’s easy to fall for skin care myths that promise quick results. But the truth is that many popular trends can damage your skin’s protective barrier and cause more problems than they solve.

In this article, we’ll debunk some of the most common skincare myths so you can make smarter choices for your skin.

Teen Skincare Myths #1: Beef fat will clear your acne and give you glowing skin

The truth

This trend has teenagers rubbing beef tallow on their faces, while influencers claim it’s a ‘natural’ miracle ingredient that dermatologists don’t want you to know about. The hashtag #beefallowskincare has been viewed millions of times, but you should think twice before following this trend.

Why it is harmful

Beef tallow is an animal fat high in oleic acid, a fatty acid that is comedogenic, meaning it clogs your pores. When you apply it to your face, it creates a thick layer over your skin that traps oil, dirt, and bacteria underneath. This creates the perfect environment for pimples, blackheads and acne flare-ups, especially if you already have oily or acne-prone skin.

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While beef tallow can form a protective barrier on the skin, it can also form a film that traps oils and bacteria. This, in turn, can lead to clogged pores and worsening acne.

What to use instead

If you’re looking for a gentle, effective moisturizer, skip the beef fat and choose our CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture. Clinically proven to hydrate and soothe sensitive skin without clogging pores. It contains powerful skin-healing ingredients like turmeric, alpha-bisabolol and reishi mushroom that help soothe inflammation and restore your skin’s natural barrier.

If you’re looking for a rich balm moisturizer that’s super hydrating, consider our Restorative Skin Balm. It is a deeply regenerative balm that creates a breathable barrier to retain moisture. It softens, repairs and protects the skin without clogging the pores and is also suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Myth #2: More acids and exfoliants = better skin

The truth

Alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) and other chemical exfoliants are everywhere in skin care today. These ingredients can help even out skin tone in adults, but teens often overdo it; they sometimes use the same acid in multiple products without realizing it.

Why it is harmful

Using too many acids strips away your skin’s protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to irritation, redness, dryness, breakouts, and sun damage. Teen skin is already thinner and more permeable than adult skin, so it is particularly vulnerable to these harsh ingredients. If you use too much too often, the skin can become even more sensitive than before.

What to use instead

For gentle exfoliation without damage, focus on a simple routine. Cleanse your face with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser and use a soft skin brush if you want to remove all the dirt and oil and gently remove dead skin cells. Healthy teenage skin does not need aggressive treatments.

Then use a toner, such as our pH-balanced Rescue & Relief Spray. It helps balance the skin, reduces redness or irritation and helps restore the skin barrier.

Teen Skincare Myth #3: Skip moisturizer to clear acne

The truth

Teens often think that moisturizer is like grease and will cause more breakouts, so skipping it sounds like a good thing for acne. But the truth is, moisturizer is not the enemy.

Why it is harmful

Often it is the lack of moisture that causes the skin to overcompensate by producing even more oil. A weakened barrier can lead to more bacteria, increased oil production and more acne. Especially for sensitive skin, skipping a moisturizer is a mistake.

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What to use instead

Even if the skin is oily, it still needs a light, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free moisturizer. Choose something labeled “sensitive skin” or “non-comedogenic,” and preferably without essential oils.

Our Calming Moisture supports barrier repair and is clinically proven to be safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Not only is it a great moisturizer, it also has an important shine factor. It makes your skin look radiant, healthy and radiant.

Myth #4: Fragrant sheet masks are a treat for your skin

The truth

Sheet masks are very popular on social media and seem like an easy way to treat yourself. Many of them come in cute packaging and smell amazing. They feel relaxing and luxurious, which is why teens love them. But those scents can cause serious problems for sensitive skin.

Why it is harmful

Fragrance is one of the most common causes of allergic reactions and skin irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin. “Fragrance” on an ingredients list can represent a mix of dozens or even hundreds of chemicals, and companies don’t have to tell you which ones they are.

When you put a mask on your face for 15 to 20 minutes, you are essentially saturating your skin with potential irritants. This can cause contact dermatitis (an itchy, red rash), cause your skin to become more sensitive over time, and damage your skin barrier. You might not respond the first time, but you might respond the fifth, tenth, or even twentye mask, things can change.

What to use instead

If you want to give your skin some extra love, choose fragrance-free products. CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray is a perfect option when your skin needs quick, soothing relief. It’s a fragrance-free, gentle mist that you can use whenever your skin feels irritated, dry or uncomfortable.

If odor has caused an outbreak, try a few sprays of Rescue + Relief Spray to help calm and soothe any allergic reactions, eczema flare-ups, rosacea flare-ups, or acne.

Teen Skincare Myth #5: DIY skin care remedies from TikTok are natural and safe

The truth

Social media is full of DIY skin care hacks that promise amazing results with “natural” ingredients from your kitchen, like lemon juice for dark spots, baking soda scrubs for exfoliation, toothpaste for pimples, or cinnamon masks for glowing skin.

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Why it is harmful

Many common household ingredients have the wrong pH for your skin or are simply too harsh for use on the face.

• Lemon juice:It is extremely acidic and can cause chemical burns and severe irritation and makes your skin photosensitive, meaning you burn more easily in the sun, causing more dark spots, not fewer.
• Sodium carbonate:This is the opposite of lemon juice: very alkaline. It disrupts your skin’s natural acid mantle, damages the skin barrier and can cause irritation, dryness and increased sensitivity.
• Toothpaste:It often contains ingredients such as menthol, alcohol and baking soda that are too aggressive for facial skin. It can dry out a pimple, but it can also cause irritation, burns and dark spots.
• Cinnamon:It can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, leaving burns and irritation.

What to use instead

Stick to products that are professionally formulated, tested and proven safe for facial use. CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm is a great multi-purpose balm for treating dry patches, and also doubles as a soothing lip balm. Avoid raw kitchen ingredients on your face and avoid applying untested oils/hacks to school skin.

Skin Care Myths for Teens: Stick to a Simple Teen-Safe Routine

Instead of following every trendy hack, stick to a safe, gentle daily skincare routine that will keep your young skin looking its best.

• Morning:Cleanse with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, then a pore-friendly toner like our Rescue + Relief spray, and finally our Calming Moisture for radiant skin that lasts all day.
• Evening:Use a gentle cleanser with a soft skin brush to clean your skin, then apply a toner and moisturizer.
• Weekly (optional):Use a gentle, fragrance-free exfoliant mask if your skin tolerates it. Otherwise, skip this step.
• Prevent:Layer multiple acids, skip moisturizer, or use heavy DIY balms like raw beef tallow on acne-prone skin.
• Look for signs that your barrier is under pressure:If your skin feels tight, stings after applying a product, turns red quickly, suffers from pimples or shows increased sensitivity, this means that your skin barrier is overloaded. Reduce your skin care and stick to the basics so it can heal. If you notice itching, redness, or other signs of irritation, CV Skinlabs products can help soothe inflammation, soothe and restore the health and glow of your skin barrier.

What skincare trend have you tried that left your skin feeling weird or irritated?

Featured image by Cottonbro Studio via Pexels.