Tween-friendly ingredients
- Calendula: beloved by herbalists and product formulation experts alike, the distinctive orange flowers of the calendula plant are added to products for young skin because of their ability to soothe inflamed skin.
- Beeswax: used as a gentle emulsifier in skincare formulations, beeswax locks in moisture while softening skin.
- Shea butter: this rich and moisturizing butter comes from the seed of a shea tree, giving products the ability to soften and soothe skin while reducing symptoms of eczema and acne.
- SPF: When it comes to sunscreen, experts agree that children should wear sun protection of at least SPF 30 during peak sun hours. For the gentlest formula, look for mineral-based sunscreen made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
No-gos for your preteen
- Retinoids: typically used for their anti-aging effects, retinoids (including their derivatives retinol, adapalene, and tretinoin) can cause skin allergies, rashes, and irritation for tweens.
- Vitamin C: although there are many benefits to using vitamin C serums on adult skin, its use in children’s skin products hasn’t been studied and may cause irritation.
- Peptides: made up of amino acids, peptides are yet another powerful—but potentially irritating—anti-aging ingredient that should be avoided by those in the preteen set.
- Exfoliants: chemical exfoliants (think AHAs and BHAs) may dry, irritate, or even tear the skin.
Use this trend to share other self-care methods
As your child becomes more interested in self-care on the outside, help them foster other healthy habits to boost and maintain their mental and physical health:
- Get regular exercise—only 30 minutes per day has been shown to improve a low mood!
- Express gratitude—for example, by writing in a gratitude journal every day.
- Prioritize sleep and a healthy sleep schedule.
- Enjoy healthy and delicious food to stay fueled and energized throughout the day.