When did your teen boy pay attention to his skin and do a skin routine? Like what?

[Anonymous]

We all know what girls do, DD has been fantastic about face/skin care and hygiene overall. My 15 son, not so much. This summer especially his skin has peaked in oilless, can't get the kid to wash his face except when I make him shower. He needs to wash his face in the morning too. Does your son? Wash his face twice a day and put lotion on? etc. Shower everyday? Tx

[Anonymous]

My 11 year old son showers every day but he is either doing sports (hockey, track) or jumping on the trampoline with his friends. He is sweaty and stinky all the time. I have strongly emphasized the importance of washing his face, especially after working out. I gave him a light cleanser that is not harsh (Cetaphil) and he knows to use it every time he showers. I also explained he should use a washcloth so he gets his pores clean. I’m hoping since we started this discussion early, it continues into the teenage years but we will see.

[Anonymous]

I don't know how often he washes his face. He just turned 15 and takes better care of himself than I assumed he would've when he was 12-13. I was so worried about him.

[Anonymous]

Not until he seriously started to break out at 18, even though I told him years earlier to take care of their skin. And when he started seriously breaking out, I could tell those weren't normal whiteheads, so I told him that he should see a dermatologist. He fought me on it, until finally, when it got *really* bad, he agreed. By then, the acne scars had done number on his face.

"Mom knows best".

[Anonymous]

My son saw a dermatologist in 8th grade and was on a pretty rigorous regimen of acne meds and twice daily face washing. He is now 18 and still uses a gentle Cerave face cleanser every morning when he showers.

If he’s resistant to washing his face and developing his own skin care routine, have him go on TikTok and look up videos of other teen guys and their skin care routines. Perhaps it will inspire him.

[Anonymous]

Mine started caring more when the pimples really started showing up at 14. Before he didn't do anything. Now he's religiously washing his face once or twice a day, depending on how bad it is. No lotion. Mine is using AcneFree face wash (2.5% benzoyl peroxide, which is enough for now, they have stronger stuff and 3-step kit as well).

[Anonymous]

It seems girls have the more is better approach to lotions and potions. On the other hand, boys (well, MY boys) would use the tiniest bit of product to wash their face. The dermatologist gave them specific instructions on how much product and how often. I think he said, “ Squeeze out product to the size of a nickel”. Good luck.