Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD just turned 9 and has started to get some pimples (like one painful one last week and another not as painful, but still red one this week). I would like to start her on a face wash that will help, but her skin is still young child delicate - like no pores visible and no oil; therefore, I don't feel she is ready for a heavy hitting acne wash. No other signs of puberty. I did get her a drugstore salicylic acid spot treatment ( I think Clean and Clear) when she had the really painful spot last week and that seemed to help.

Family history is pretty serious acne for Dad throughout teen years and college; I had typical teen pimples - small, from time to time, not cystic. When I was in my 20s I did get longer lasting not-whiteheads (so I guess small cysts) on my face; after antibiotics and topicals I did eventually do Accutane when about 23. So I'm also trying to not overreact in fear of her developing severe acne early on.

She does have slightly oily hair, but with some dandruff flakes, so I have been on here searching for suggestions for that, too!

We also prefer more 'natural/green' beauty products so suggestions in that realm, in addition to the usual gentle cleaners - Cetaphil and Cerave, would be great! Thanks so much!

For hair, try tea tree oil shampoo for dandruff-- it may have the added benefit of helping with acne near the hairline. 5% benzoyl peroxide wash before bed, let face dry completely + a spot treatment for individual pimples *or* differin if breakouts are more frequent or widespread. Gentle, acne friendly facial moisturizer if you notice your DD's skin drying.
We have only found benzoyl peroxide to be harsh if it's used too frequently, at too high a percentage, or isn't completely washed off. Once DS used a 10% benzoyl peroxide on his face in the shower (against my advice) and left it on for 5-10 minutes thinking it would help his acne. His face was little red and chapped for the next few days- he didn't do that again.
The key with benzoyl peroxide wash + different and spot treatment is that you have to be consistent. OTC seems to be only about 1/2 step ahead of acne-- I've noticed if DS gets out of his skin routine for a few days, breakouts come right back.

I didn’t notice the question about dandruff. I’m the poster who is weary of essential oils but I have had great success with the tea tree oil shampoo and conditioner from trader joes. DD has as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD just turned 9 and has started to get some pimples (like one painful one last week and another not as painful, but still red one this week). I would like to start her on a face wash that will help, but her skin is still young child delicate - like no pores visible and no oil; therefore, I don't feel she is ready for a heavy hitting acne wash. No other signs of puberty. I did get her a drugstore salicylic acid spot treatment ( I think Clean and Clear) when she had the really painful spot last week and that seemed to help.

Family history is pretty serious acne for Dad throughout teen years and college; I had typical teen pimples - small, from time to time, not cystic. When I was in my 20s I did get longer lasting not-whiteheads (so I guess small cysts) on my face; after antibiotics and topicals I did eventually do Accutane when about 23. So I'm also trying to not overreact in fear of her developing severe acne early on.

She does have slightly oily hair, but with some dandruff flakes, so I have been on here searching for suggestions for that, too!

We also prefer more 'natural/green' beauty products so suggestions in that realm, in addition to the usual gentle cleaners - Cetaphil and Cerave, would be great! Thanks so much!

For hair, try tea tree oil shampoo for dandruff-- it may have the added benefit of helping with acne near the hairline. 5% benzoyl peroxide wash before bed, let face dry completely + a spot treatment for individual pimples *or* differin if breakouts are more frequent or widespread. Gentle, acne friendly facial moisturizer if you notice your DD's skin drying.
We have only found benzoyl peroxide to be harsh if it's used too frequently, at too high a percentage, or isn't completely washed off. Once DS used a 10% benzoyl peroxide on his face in the shower (against my advice) and left it on for 5-10 minutes thinking it would help his acne. His face was little red and chapped for the next few days- he didn't do that again.
The key with benzoyl peroxide wash + different and spot treatment is that you have to be consistent. OTC seems to be only about 1/2 step ahead of acne-- I've noticed if DS gets out of his skin routine for a few days, breakouts come right back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD just turned 9 and has started to get some pimples (like one painful one last week and another not as painful, but still red one this week). I would like to start her on a face wash that will help, but her skin is still young child delicate - like no pores visible and no oil; therefore, I don't feel she is ready for a heavy hitting acne wash. No other signs of puberty. I did get her a drugstore salicylic acid spot treatment ( I think Clean and Clear) when she had the really painful spot last week and that seemed to help.

Family history is pretty serious acne for Dad throughout teen years and college; I had typical teen pimples - small, from time to time, not cystic. When I was in my 20s I did get longer lasting not-whiteheads (so I guess small cysts) on my face; after antibiotics and topicals I did eventually do Accutane when about 23. So I'm also trying to not overreact in fear of her developing severe acne early on.

She does have slightly oily hair, but with some dandruff flakes, so I have been on here searching for suggestions for that, too!

We also prefer more 'natural/green' beauty products so suggestions in that realm, in addition to the usual gentle cleaners - Cetaphil and Cerave, would be great! Thanks so much!

For hair, try tea tree oil shampoo for dandruff-- it may have the added benefit of helping with acne near the hairline. 5% benzoyl peroxide wash before bed, let face dry completely + a spot treatment for individual pimples *or* differin if breakouts are more frequent or widespread. Gentle, acne friendly facial moisturizer if you notice your DD's skin drying.
We have only found benzoyl peroxide to be harsh if it's used too frequently, at too high a percentage, or isn't completely washed off. Once DS used a 10% benzoyl peroxide on his face in the shower (against my advice) and left it on for 5-10 minutes thinking it would help his acne. His face was little red and chapped for the next few days- he didn't do that again.
The key with benzoyl peroxide wash + different and spot treatment is that you have to be consistent. OTC seems to be only about 1/2 step ahead of acne-- I've noticed if DS gets out of his skin routine for a few days, breakouts come right back.

Anonymous wrote:My DD just turned 9 and has started to get some pimples (like one painful one last week and another not as painful, but still red one this week). I would like to start her on a face wash that will help, but her skin is still young child delicate - like no pores visible and no oil; therefore, I don't feel she is ready for a heavy hitting acne wash. No other signs of puberty. I did get her a drugstore salicylic acid spot treatment ( I think Clean and Clear) when she had the really painful spot last week and that seemed to help.

Family history is pretty serious acne for Dad throughout teen years and college; I had typical teen pimples - small, from time to time, not cystic. When I was in my 20s I did get longer lasting not-whiteheads (so I guess small cysts) on my face; after antibiotics and topicals I did eventually do Accutane when about 23. So I'm also trying to not overreact in fear of her developing severe acne early on.

She does have slightly oily hair, but with some dandruff flakes, so I have been on here searching for suggestions for that, too!

We also prefer more 'natural/green' beauty products so suggestions in that realm, in addition to the usual gentle cleaners - Cetaphil and Cerave, would be great! Thanks so much!

Anonymous wrote:I started my daughter around that age with Cetahphil face wash and a microfiber washcloth to use along with it. She has crazy sensitive skin so it seemed like the safest option to begin with, and at 15 it's still her combo of choice. I taught her to use it twice a day, morning and before bed, which I think really is the key more than anything else. In my own teen years going to sleep without washing my face was the number one cause of breakouts, so I really drove home to her the importance of a clean face before bed.

She still has hormonal breakouts of a cystic zit or two on her chin every couple of months and for those she's had good luck with those dot stickers that soak up all the gross stuff (I get them on Amazon).