3 Icky, Acne-Triggering Ingredients to Avoid in Face Cleansers for Teens

Over the last few years, it seems as though the skin care industry has blown up. From CBD- and probiotic-infused lotions to 12-step skincare routines, it is as if everyone and anyone is doing everything they can to take optimal care of their skin. 

However, one area of the skin care world that has taken a bit longer to grow and gain traction is the teen skin care industry! But teens, tweens, and young adults need to care for their skin, too. 

While various cleansers, moisturizers, and other teen skin care products have popped up here and there, what is actually in these items? And are they doing their adolescent skin any good? 

Since facial cleansers are regularly used nowadays, among both teens and adults, our team of expert researchers looked into common ingredients used in this everyday item… and what they found was surprising to say the least! 

Take a look at these 3 icky, acne-triggering ingredients commonly found in teen cleansers (and why you should do everything you can to avoid them!). 

3 Acne-Triggering Ingredients to Avoid in Teen Face Cleansers 

Parabens 

You might have heard about parabens before, but you might not know exactly what they are or the harm they cause. 

A unique class of chemicals, parabens in skin care products act as an effective preservative to prevent the growth of fungus, bacteria, microbes, and other unwanted microorganisms.

While that might not sound too worrisome, the effect that parabens have on the body, however, will probably shock you. 

Research has shown that parabens: 

• Mimic estrogen in the body, which can impact both male and female reproductive systems, reproductive development, fertility and birth outcomes. 
• May trigger painful breakouts, as they mimic estrogen and interrupt hormone function. 
• Can potentially disrupt the endocrine system. 
• Can cause allergic reactions and exacerbate some skin conditions. 

Shocking, right? Parabens are not to be messed around with – especially when they may be impacting your teen’s overall health! 

Triclosan

If you have never heard of this triclosan before, we’re not surprised!

While triclosan is virtually unknown among everyday consumers, it is a common antibacterial ingredient found in hand and body soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, and facial cleansers. 

However, while triclosan has been shown to be somewhat effective at killing off the bacteria that triggers acne and further irritates active breakouts, its negatives outweigh those small benefits by a large margin. 

Certain studies have shown the misuse or overuse of products containing triclosan may lead to antibiotic resistance. This may make acne breakouts worse, as other acne treatments that aim to kill acne-causing bacteria may be rendered useless. 

Not to mention, the FDA is reviewing the safety of triclosan after several emerging studies have found worrisome health concerns! In our expert opinion, this ingredient is worth avoiding in facial cleansers. 

Sulfates 

Are sulfates hiding in your teen’s face cleanser? We talk about the skin damaging effects of sulfates often at TEENOLOGY – and for good reason. 

Sulfates are a type of surfactant that attract both oil and water. This is why they are particularly effective at washing away dirt, grease, and grime. 

However, while that may sound great, especially when using a facial cleanser, sulfates are too good at their job. 

Instead of gently cleaning and washing the face of grime and oil, they completely rob the skin of its natural oils, resulting in extreme hydration and water loss. This contributes to harmful skin drying and the overproduction of sebum (skin’s natural oil), which may further clog pores, trigger acne, and irritate the skin. 

As you can imagine, this is especially problematic for teen skin, which is already prone to acne breakouts. Thus, it’s best to avoid any teen face cleansers that contain this icky ingredient! 

We recommend avoiding the following sulfates: sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium laureth sulfate. 

If you’re ready to try a premium, high-quality teen cleanser that does not contain parabens, triclosan, or sulfates, as well as pore-clogging oils, then we recommend TEENOLOGY Papaya Gentle Face Cleanser. 

With a unique blend of antioxidants, natural botanical extracts, and acne-targeting ingredients, the Papaya Face Cleanser gently washes, cleanses, and soothes the skin for a soft, smooth, hydrated complexion. 

Here’s to healthy, hydrated skin with TEENOLOGY!