Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What age should DD start a skincare routine

79 replies

crumble82 · 13/04/2022 21:38

DD is only 8 so I’m probably thinking a bit far ahead but what age should I start teaching her to follow a skincare routine? At the moment she just rubs a flannel over her face after brushing her teeth but at what age do they need to start cleansing and moisturising? I have very dry skin and I’ve noticed she has started getting little dry patches hence my question.

Also when she does start is she better with something like micellar water or a gentle foaming cleanser?

OP posts:
Sunnysidegold · 14/04/2022 07:28

Oh @lugeforlife that made me grin!

I don't think anyone is suggesting boys don't deserve skincare, it's just the op has a daughter?

And to those who never wash their face or just use soap and still look twelve, well good for you!

I don't understand the horror expressed by some here. Spots can be really upsetting for teens and skincare can help.

I was a really annoying teen who never got any spots and people used to assume I was always cleansing, but I think I was lucky with genetics. I do care for my skin now and it feels so much more comfortable and looks a bit brighter.

Op if you are looking for skincare routines, a pp gave great advice about sunscreen.

I'd go with a gentle non foamy cleanser to be washed off with a flannel and warm water (good exfoliating there!) And then a light moisturizer and sunscreen. And then just wash and moisturise at night.

I read the Caroline hirons skin care book a little while ago and it helped me.aimplify my skin routine and my skin has never felt better. There was a whole section on teen skin I think. I got the book out of the library.

Onceuponatimethen · 14/04/2022 07:30

I would say address any particular issues eg dry skin with a little of a very inert product just used until the issue stops. I don’t like the idea of a lot of chemicals on young skin.

I have never had any kind of skincare routine, have turned 40 and often get told I look younger. I do use sun cream every liberally and avoid sitting in the sun, which may have helped so I prioritise that for my own dc.

SoggyPaper · 14/04/2022 07:30

I started my elder two sons’ skincare routine as babies. Only because the poor things had horrible eczema.

Surely there’s no age at which you need skincare. It’s something you do responsively to your actually skin. If it’s dry (and usually that’s itchy), you want to address that specifically.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Beauty General style & beauty
Waxonwaxoff0 · 14/04/2022 07:32

I'm 31 and I don't have one. Are we only teaching girls to have skincare routines or boys as well?

RodiganReed · 14/04/2022 07:32

How dare you teach your children to look after their largest organ?!

I hope you don't encourage them to exercise or eat a balanced, healthy diet either - tis fascism you know!!

Onceuponatimethen · 14/04/2022 07:34

I appreciate this is probably heresy on S&B but isn’t the whole idea of a skin routine just a marketing thing that skincare companies are telling women is essential for looking good?

Whatalovelydaffodil · 14/04/2022 07:37

@MissyCooperismyShero

FFS never! She should never be advised to start a skin care routine other than SPF. What have you all advised your sons to use?
Thank you
JimMorrisonsleathertrousers · 14/04/2022 07:38

My eldest is 12 and is starting to get a few spots so now uses a face wash (Biore with witch hazel. I am not in to buying expensive skin care) and a light mioisturiser that I got from Sainsburys.

Before then she just used a flannel and water!

My skin care routine is also basic. I've used expensive additions to the routine before and not noticed any difference.

JimMorrisonsleathertrousers · 14/04/2022 07:41

@MissHavershamReturns

I appreciate this is probably heresy on S&B but isn’t the whole idea of a skin routine just a marketing thing that skincare companies are telling women is essential for looking good?
I completely agree.

There's looking after your skin (using cleanser and spf moisturiser) and then there's putting loads of unnecessary and expensive products on it.

AnyFucker · 14/04/2022 07:43

What ?

Whatalovelydaffodil · 14/04/2022 07:43

@RodiganReed

How dare you teach your children to look after their largest organ?!

I hope you don't encourage them to exercise or eat a balanced, healthy diet either - tis fascism you know!!

Actually, treating skin to get rid of spots and blemishes isn't really caring for your skin. Treatinginfected skin is caring for it. But getting into a "skin care routine" of using multiple beauty products can not be compared to excercising.and having a healthy diet.
SoggyPaper · 14/04/2022 07:45

@RodiganReed

How dare you teach your children to look after their largest organ?!

I hope you don't encourage them to exercise or eat a balanced, healthy diet either - tis fascism you know!!

There’s a difference between looking after your health and buying into the marketing around needing a skincare routine.
WaterBottle123 · 14/04/2022 07:46

What @Waxonwaxoff0 said. Let's not train our daughters to prop up an immoral beauty industry that destroys the planet and women's self esteem whilst boys go merrily about their day unfettered by this nonsense

jytdtysrht · 14/04/2022 07:50

Honestly it isn’t needed. I’m 44 and have never put anything like this on my face. I don’t wear makeup and wash my face with baby soap in the shower. That’s it. I don’t have spectacular skin - just ordinary. This stuff really isn’t necessary and imo is a very expensive con.

elidelochanthefirst · 14/04/2022 07:52

@Waxonwaxoff0

I'm 31 and I don't have one. Are we only teaching girls to have skincare routines or boys as well?
I taught my brother his routine at 12. It is absolutely something done for both sees. By routine I mean cleanse, moisturise and Spf which are the only things that matter.

I wish my mum or dad had shown me. I use to have horrendously dry skin and I would try to rub it off at school by adding water to hide it, obviously that made it worse and I was so embarrassed. I wish I'd been bought a rich cream and told to do it twice a day. My brother also had crippling acne so looking after his skin was so important.

elidelochanthefirst · 14/04/2022 07:53

Sees = sexes
Autocorrect

BertieBotts · 14/04/2022 08:03

@maddy68

I'm going to get flamed here. Forner beauty therapist here. It doesn't matter.

Just wash and moisturise when needed. Always use spf

Dont bother with a routine. Sots are hormone induced and part of marketing campaign. If you get acne. Get medication.

This!

And for someone who asked why it's offensive, it's offensive because as women/girls we are so marketed to constantly from such a young age (8! :() we are encouraged to spend our precious energy/effort and money on "beauty". Women are already discriminated against enough without this depletion of our resources. Don't un-level the playing field for your daughters even more than it already is.

Onceuponatimethen · 14/04/2022 08:06

I’m really heartened to see so many wise words here.

@maddy68 really glad you think this even as a former beauty therapist

Original poster
crumble82 · 14/04/2022 08:07

Wow, I’ve just woken up and read some of the comments, I didn’t expect this to be so controversial which knowing some of the posters on MN was probably naive of me. I actually had to re-read my first post to see what on earth I’d actually said Confused

I don’t have any boys hence why I’m asking what I should teach my girl. There is nothing sexist implied, if I had a son and he had dry skin I’d probably be asking the same question. She keeps complaining her dry patches are a bit itchy, so I thought I’d tap into this great source of knowledge for advice. Thank you to those who have given useful advice on skincare.

OP posts:
Whatalovelydaffodil · 14/04/2022 08:23

@crumble82

Wow, I’ve just woken up and read some of the comments, I didn’t expect this to be so controversial which knowing some of the posters on MN was probably naive of me. I actually had to re-read my first post to see what on earth I’d actually said Confused

I don’t have any boys hence why I’m asking what I should teach my girl. There is nothing sexist implied, if I had a son and he had dry skin I’d probably be asking the same question. She keeps complaining her dry patches are a bit itchy, so I thought I’d tap into this great source of knowledge for advice. Thank you to those who have given useful advice on skincare.

Obviously if her skin is dry you need to give her a cream to treat it. But that isn't really the same as "when should my daughter start a skin care routine?".
Hercisback · 14/04/2022 08:26

I think it was the phrase "skincare routine" as opposed to "she has some dry skin, how do I help?".

Namechangeforthis88 · 14/04/2022 08:32

If she has dry skin now, you help her deal with that now rather than asking at what age to start a skincare routine.

I'm 45, wash face with soap in shower, SPF in summer. Rarely wear makeup. Often mistaken for 5-10 years younger than I am.

Original poster
crumble82 · 14/04/2022 08:35

I get what you’re both saying about the use of the word routine, however one application of moisturiser won’t stop a dry, uncomfortable skin long term. Realistically this is helped by regular application of something (a routine?).

Some posters seem to think I’m an anti feminist in the pockets of the beauty industry who is intent on teaching my DD that looks are the only things that matter!! She is her own awesome little person and is utterly uninterested in clothes and looks, I couldn’t be prouder of her. But she has dry skin that is also uncomfortable so…

OP posts:
RoseMartha · 14/04/2022 08:36

I do think the skin routine is highly overrated and pushed into young girls minds by the media as young influencers are often showing their skin care routine which makes teens and tweens think they need it.

My eldest started using clearasil at 10 as had acne. She is now 14. Because she watches all those young influencers she has a long winded routine. But I will not buy her expensive products and she uses Tesco sensitive. Then really into full make up everyday.

Youngest daughter 13 not into it at all. Wears a bit of make up on occasion and that is it.

DD1 will tell us in condescending tone we are not doing it right.

Daily I use a face wash and day and night cream lower end of the market. And a small amount of make up.

APurpleSquirrel · 14/04/2022 08:59

Sorry you're getting such a hard time OP.

My understanding is that if you cleanse your skin, whether with soap, cleanser, flannel etc you are not only removing any dirt, sweat, make-up/product, but also the skin's natural moisturiser/lubricant sebum. By removing that your skin can become dry & your skin goes into overdrive to produce more which can lead to oily skin, so by adding moisturiser you replace the lost sebum.
Hence the cleanse - moisturise routine.
Adding SPF is good as it reduces damage from UV.

Those saying you often get ID'd, that's to do with ageing; & skincare, whether used or not, has little impact on it - it's more likely due genetics, whether you smoke, pollution, diet & how much UV exposure you've had. At least that's my understanding anyway.