Between BeautyTok tutorials and endless product recommendations from influencers, dealing with the world of skin care as a teen can feel overwhelming. While social media might suggest you need a 12-step routine featuring the latest viral products, Neora co-founder Amber Olson Rourke sees firsthand how this approach can backfire for young skin.
“Before I worked for Neora, I mean, I have teenage girls and they used all the things,” Olson Rourke shares. “What they wanted for Christmas is Drunk Elephant.” While trendy brands like Drunk Elephant might seem appealing, many products marketed to teens contain ingredients better suited for mature skin — or worse, ingredients that could disrupt natural skin processes during crucial developmental years.
The reality? Teen skin has unique needs that differ significantly from adult skin. “My kids were in Texas and one of my daughters plays on the tennis team and it was February, which in Texas can be 90 degrees or it could be 20. So it was sunny. And then the next day, she had just blisters all over her face,” Olson Rourke recalls. The culprit wasn’t just sun exposure — it was the interaction between harsh skin care ingredients and environmental factors.
Amber Olson Rourke: ‘What They Don’t Tell You’
Many popular products contain ingredients that just aren’t suitable for youthful skin. “What they don’t tell you is in those formulas, they have retinols and things that thin out the skin, make them susceptible. And they do that through our skin to older, basically 50,” Olson Rourke explains. “I can use those on my face to achieve something else because my skin, I’m not still growing.”
Building a healthy skin care foundation starts with understanding what teen skin actually needs. Often, it’s much simpler than trending routines suggest. Protection and gentle support should be the primary focus, not aggressive treatments or antiaging ingredients that can interfere with natural processes.
“It interrupts their adrenal functions,” Olson Rourke warns about certain ingredients commonly found in teen-targeted products. “It takes away their natural moisture.” Instead of stripping away skin’s natural protective barriers, teens should focus on supporting their skin’s inherent health.
Neora’s Double-Cleanse Approach
When it comes to cleansing, gentle is key. Harsh cleansers that leave skin feeling squeaky clean are actually disrupting its natural balance. Look for products that clean effectively without stripping moisture. For example, Neora’s Double-Cleansing Face Wash removes oil-based impurities and makeup when applied to dry skin. Then, with the addition of water, it creates a lather for deep cleaning. Sun protection becomes especially crucial during teen years, when outdoor activities and sports often mean extended sun exposure. “It’s very scary,” Olson Rourke notes about the combination of sun-sensitizing ingredients and outdoor activities. Proper SPF should be a nonnegotiable part of any teen skin care routine.
Social media can make it tempting to try every new product that promises perfection overnight. However, Amber Olson Rourke emphasizes the importance of understanding what you’re putting on your skin. “We don’t put perfumes in our products,” she notes, highlighting how even common ingredients like artificial fragrances can cause issues for young skin.
Creating a sustainable skin care routine means focusing on long-term skin health rather than quick fixes. Signs of a working routine include balanced moisture levels, resilient skin, and fewer reactions to environmental stressors. If skin becomes increasingly sensitive or reactive, it’s often a sign that products are too aggressive.
“There won’t be the irritation of retinols. There won’t be the sunburn going out for a minute because what you’re doing is you are speeding up the sun damage that you’re trying to actually prevent,” Olson Rourke explains about the importance of gentle, appropriate formulations.
No Magical Solutions
The journey to healthy skin isn’t about finding a magical combination of products or following every trending routine. It’s about understanding your skin’s natural processes and supporting them appropriately. When skin concerns arise, resist the urge to attack them with harsh treatments. Instead, focus on strengthening your skin’s natural ability to maintain balance.
The choices made during teenage years can impact skin health well into adulthood. While it might be tempting to follow aggressive skin care trends or borrow products from parents’ routines, supporting young skin’s natural processes yields better long-term results. Olson Rourke emphasizes that everyone can aspire to better skin. “We don’t show something that isn’t real or attainable,” she says.
Healthy skin doesn’t require a medicine cabinet full of products or a complicated routine. By understanding the unique needs of young skin and choosing gentle, appropriate products, teens can build a foundation for lifelong skin health. In the age of instant gratification and viral beauty trends, sometimes the most revolutionary approach is simply working with your skin rather than against it — protecting and supporting its natural processes rather than trying to transform them overnight.
