Dermalogica Cleanstart - An education in teenage skin care products.

Turning into a teenager is an exciting time, but with the great advantages of growing up come some unwanted side effects. There are plenty of remedies though, and the market for teenage skin care products is large. However, the choices can become confusing.

One of the challenges most hated by teenagers is the change in their skin. These changes are experienced by almost all, to some extent. Resulting blemishes and acne can be distressing, especially at a time when your appearance is becoming more and more important. It’s all too easy to get depressed about how unsightly and unattractive you may end up feeling.

Socializing and being part of a group of friends is essential during this time and skin problems can be considered so bad by some teens that it can ruin their social life. Growing up should not be defined by problem skin and so finding the right skin care product for teenagers is a really important consideration for most parents.

To care for your skin at any time in your life is important. Equally important, is to understand the reasons for whatever problems you want to overcome. When skin hits puberty the changing hormones stimulate the glands in the skin. These hormones act like a trigger and increase oil production and hair growth. Bacteria that live on the skin begin to flourish in the clogged-up hair follicles to produce red and angry spots. Contrary to popular belief, they are not generally caused by anything that is eaten, or by lack of personal hygiene.

Oily skin, blackheads and acne breakouts are common in teenage skin, especially during puberty as these hormones continue to rage. Pores (follicles) may also become enlarged, skin texture changes and may not feel as smooth. Skin may look and feel shiny and cheeks can feel more sensitive and look pink. None of these changes are easy to manage emotionally or physically, and consequently adopting the right approach to minimise these skin problems is essential.

If you're in your teens, you are just at the right time to start taking care of your face. It's never too early to start a skin care regime. A good skin care routine is as important as brushing your teeth, keeping up good cleanliness, and eating a healthy diet! Teen skin care differs from adult skin care, so using products such as facial cleansers designed for mature skin won’t tackle the unique changes taking place in teenage skin.

Choosing a quality product for your skin as a teenager can help, you’ll want to minimise the unwanted side effects of puberty and also set a solid foundation for later years.

What do you need to know? Are there any ingredients in skin care products that teens should stay away from?

* Artificial fragrance and colour, which irritate the skin

* Mineral oil that causes small bumps and under surface congestion

* Pure lanolin that causes irritation to the follicle and can produce breakouts

* Isopropyl Myristate that is an alternative to using oil but is used in so called "oil free" products to provide a smooth texture but again causes irritation to the skin.

* Alcohol it dries and strips the skins natural barrier lipids.

There are some common mistakes people make, that can actually increase blemishes and breakouts.

Many products over strip the skin. This causes much bigger problems as oil production increases when the skin is stripped of moisture and barrier lipids. Picking and squeezing your teenage skin normally results in inflammation bruising and pus formation, so this should also be avoided at all costs.

At the International Dermal Institute specialists have worked with their knowledge of skin care and the specific needs of teenage skin to produce a range of products designed to bring teen skin back into balance. Consisting of eight products, Clean Start offers teens and adolescents products that are developed for young people, rather than leaving them to guess their way through products designed for adults. Or, some of the other products designed for teenagers that are incredibly drying and harsh when applied to young skin.

Clean Start Wash Off: A deep cleaning foaming face wash that will remove dead skin cells and an excess of oil. Designed to minimise breakouts from the face and back area , the product ensures proper cleansing of the skin by removing the pollutants and ensuring skin is properly cleansed to receive further treatments and maximum benefit from moisturising products.

All Over Clear: A misting product that cools, revives and refreshes the skin, reducing shine and taking control over breakouts. All over clear invigourates the skin, but will never result in making the complexion becoming dry or tight.

Ready, Set, Scrub. A masque and a scrub that can be used all over the face and body. Containing silica granules polish away dulling and clogging dead skin cells Ready set scrub can also be used in the shower and is especially good for introducing teenagers to exfoliate their skin properly. Exfoliation can smooth and improve skin tone, which can increase the skins receptiveness to products with oil controlling ingredients.

Clean Start Welcome Matte SPF15. Is a matte inducing product used to keep skin free from shine. As well as helping to control breakouts welcome matte contains SPF protection, thus providing a guard against harming UV rays. Specifically designed for teenage skin, the product doesn’t contain anything heavy or chalky that could block the pores. As well as protecting skin from harmful rays, concerned parents can be sure that they are doing everything ethically possible to reduce the effects of premature aging in their children’s skin.

Brighten Up SPF15 is a lotion that performs several tasks. Containing SPF the product gives natural tint and shimmer to keep skin looking even and fresh, giving a lasting all-day glow. A lightweight moisturizers is an essential product, providing the perfect amount of hydration for skin prone to an over production of oil.

Bedtime for Breakouts. Purifying skin at bedtime is essential to protect the skin and minimise breakouts. Bedtime for breakouts is an easily absorbed product that delivers a powerful blend of essential ingredients to reduce the risk of breakouts. Exfoliation and purifying through sleep, the pimple reducing ingredients work to keep redness and congestion to a complete minimum.

Clean Start Hit the Spot. A focused spot reducing treatment that is easily absorbed into the skin. The product is preventative and plainly and simply sinks into the skin to combat any impending breakout activity.

To allow teens to become familiar with a dedicated skincare regimen can be difficult. For instance, what products do you pick? All of this can be expensive?

The only way to determine suitability is to trial some of the products to ascertain suitability. Working well together a trial sample sizes, an all in one kit can be a great idea to break in the regimen. Dermalogica do a clean start kit, containing all of the products required for teenage skin conditions. Mini versions of the items are convenient and can be easily carried around by young people whilst on a sleep over, school or in the gym.

Growing up isn’t always easy but teenage skin worries could well be a thing of the past now expertise is available. Professional skincare advice for teenagers is always available from dedicated Dermalogica salons. With the introduction of a targeted approach and the appropriate support, Dermalogica Cleanstart products won’t be able to solve all of a teenagers problems, but helping to have clearer, more radiant skin will give them one less thing to worry about.

Web MD's resource is useful for tips on solving teenage skin problems.