Skincare routine for 9 y/o with blackheads on nose

[Anonymous]

My 9 y/o is starting to get clogged pores on her nose. Little blackheads and an occasional pimple. She swims twice a week and showers nightly, but is very resistant to washing her face with cleanser and a washcloth (she says she doesn't like getting her face all wet and putting soap on her face even in the shower). But I'm thinking it's time for a routine before summer sweat and sunscreen makes things worse.

Does anyone have recommendations for face wipes or other kid friendly products we could try? What's the best way to treat the bumps and blackheads on her nose since she doesn't like using a washcloth? Are pore strips still a thing?

Any other general advice on helping her take responsibility for her skin care is appreciated as well! I just don't want her to ignore it until it becomes a bigger issue that makes her self conscious.

[Anonymous]

My kid uses the cerave with SA. Keep a bottle in the shower. She’ll get used to it.

[Anonymous]

They really shouldn’t use a washcloth anyway, get her those sensitive face wipes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid uses the cerave with SA. Keep a bottle in the shower. She’ll get used to it.

This. She's getting them because she's never washing her face. 9 is early, so you have some wiggle room before she's self-conscious about these socially. She might not be perfect, but washing her face at least some of the time with the wash is a good first step. Don't worry about a washcloth (which can harbor bacteria anyhow) for now. Just soap and rinse.

Then make sure you are changing her pillow case frequently.

[Anonymous]

Fash wash wipes in her swim bag that she can use immediately after practice.

[Anonymous]

Biore strips.

[Anonymous]

What do we do about nosewhiteheads right under the surface? I pop my own (I know, I know), but DD has one hanging out for a week. A WEEK. I can’t take looking at it for much longer!

[Anonymous]

For some reason, this Whole Foods micellar wash has gotten trendy w/my kid and friends:
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/product/365-by-whole-foods-market-facial-care-cleansing-micellar-water-845-fl-oz-b07glbyxlr

Just swipe around nose and across face with a cotton pad after sweating and then wash face with something super mild in the shower like Vanicream cleanser or Dove

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do we do about nosewhiteheads right under the surface? I pop my own (I know, I know), but DD has one hanging out for a week. A WEEK. I can’t take looking at it for much longer!

They have pimple patches now. Have her put one on before bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Biore strips.

These are terrible for your skin.

[Anonymous]

No face wipes and no pore strips! Wipes just move the dirt around, and pore strips can actually be harmful to the skin.

Get her a gentle cleanser and make her wash. You make her brush her teeth and wear a seatbelt right? Same idea. You’re the parent. She has to do it. Then follow up with a wipe of salicylic acid on her nose — Paula’s Choice BHA (Naturium has a similar option available at Target) on a cotton pad. Voila.

[Anonymous]

Stidex pads. You can order the sensitive skin ones that aren’t as strong on amazon. Use a couple times per week at first to see how her skin tolerates. This is going to be the easiest and more effective way to deal.

[Anonymous]

I had blackheads and thought it was just something to deal with until the pediatrician told my son (who also had them) to wash with salicylic acid in the shower. The orange Neutragena wash, or any generic with 2% salicylic acid. I can’t believe it took until my 40s to figure this out. I don’t have blackhead anymore and neither does my son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biore strips.

These are terrible for your skin.

Biore strips are really destructive! What most people think are blackheads are actually sebaceous filaments. When you rip them out of your pores, you enlarge the poors. Permanently. Chemical exfoliation (like salicylic acid, AHA, BHA) will safely, temporarily dissolve the oxidized black end.

OP see your derm and see if daughter really has blackheads or if you’re just seeing sebaceous filaments. I agree either way that this sounds like an exfoliation issue rather than a cleansing issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biore strips.

These are terrible for your skin.

Biore strips are really destructive! What most people think are blackheads are actually sebaceous filaments. When you rip them out of your pores, you enlarge the poors. Permanently. Chemical exfoliation (like salicylic acid, AHA, BHA) will safely, temporarily dissolve the oxidized black end.

OP see your derm and see if daughter really has blackheads or if you’re just seeing sebaceous filaments. I agree either way that this sounds like an exfoliation issue rather than a cleansing issue.

Salicylic acid = BHA

OP, if you choose a cleanser with salicylic acid, she needs to leave it on her skin for a couple of minutes before rinsing. I prefer using Paula’s Choice like listed above. Works wonders.