What are your tips for building confidence in your teenagers who experience acne and breakouts? - £200 voucher to be won

[GraceEMumsnet]

Created for Acnecide + Purifide

Acne is a common condition faced by many teenagers, however it can often be a cause of distress and embarrassment. As a parent, there are steps you can take to help make this time less stressful. Acnecide + Purifide would love you to share any tips you have for building confidence in your teenagers who experience acne and breakouts.

• Post your /tips in the thread below to be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky MNer will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice.

Here’s what Acnecide has to say: 

“Our mission is to help teenagers navigate the challenges of caring for acne and blemish-prone skin, whilst shattering the stigma of experiencing acne and spots. With so many hacks around, it's hard to separate the facts from the fiction, so we’re here to debunk the myths and champion teenagers on their skincare journey.”

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight T&Cs apply

[MichelleMumof3boys]

My teenage sons get breakouts, especially at exam time. I regularly encourage them to drink water, and use Acnecide as part of their daily regime. It's the only thing that works!

[Dizzywizz]

Argh it’s so hard - I think just trying to get them to wash daily, just with soap, and drinking plenty of water.

[coolwolf34]

It's so important to constantly remind people (especially teenagers) to look and think beyond the acne! Make a list of qualities and attributes they have that are unique and wonderful about them. When I was a teenager I used to write myself notes when I was having a tough time, to read the next time I had thrown a wobbly! Silly things like 'I may be spotty but at least I have great legs, nice hair and I make people laugh. I'm kind and patient and treat people with empathy'. Reminding yourself about the things you like about you can help distract you from focusing on the things you don't! It's so important to be reminded that you aren't defined by your acne or even just the way you look! Acne will come and go, your appearance will continue to change for the rest of your life but if you know what makes you special and the values you hold that make you proud to be you, life will be a lot easier going forward (appreciate this is much easier said than done but if you have the support of getting into habits like these it can change your outlook on life)

[HobNobAddict]

Giving a child self confidence starts from an early age - if they already have this - they will be able to cope with the challenges of acne

[DanBenandBud]

I would show them pictures of me as a teen - without all of the great products on the market there is a better change that their journey through acne will be a smooth one.

[Montydoo]

I would buy them products with a good customer review re it's effectiveness, tell them they are beautiful every day, and ask them to come to me if they feel overwhelmed by this skin condition.

[pushchairprincess]

I have and would continue with a healthy skincare routine, watch their diet (i've switched to an airfryer to cut down on oily foods) I would limit junk food as far as I am able and buy a good affordable skincare product engineered to help the symptoms of acne

[lillypopdaisyduke]

Hello - think todays generation are much more empathic to others - much more than 'in my day' when anyone 'different' would be ridiculed - but we did not have the 'perfect' instagram world to contend with.
I would give my child as much self confidence as I could, watch for breakouts, and not make a big deal of it - and I would buy appropriate products available to help with the symptoms

[BigLlamaLady]

I try to get the best products in my budget and encourage them to drink plenty of water!

[voyager50]

I had terrible spots as a teenager myself and it really knocked my confidence and still does today when I get spots so I find it difficult to pass on advice about it as it really affected me.

[DinkyDaffodil]

I would give them the emotional support with their body entering puberty, make sure that they have a good skincare routine, and buy the products to help, if this is not enough - I am not sure how far my budget would stretch,but would look to mumsnet for advice, along with verified customer reviews of skincare products, aimed at treating acne.

[nikster76]

I would say don't minimise their feelings. Listen to how they feel and empathise. It is a huge big deal when you're 15 and you wake up with a breakout - it can affect your whole mood. I've spent time listening to my 15 year old son and taking his worries over his skin seriously. We're working it out together.

[ilovegoatscheese]

I wouldn't focus on it, would focus on how lovely/ kind etc they are.

[Uncreativename]

I agree with listening to them.

dd has tried a lot of the so called “hacks” and I’ve supported her through all of them.

acnecide had the best result of all the otc preparations. But the clincher was when she saw a TikTok about cutting out dairy helping skin. So I bought the oat milk and the olive spread and we gave it two weeks. Life changing as it solved he skin issue but also her gut issues and general health niggles. Turns out she has a dairy allergy.

[Ulezz]

I suffered for years as a teenager before I sought medication from a GP - I wish I’d gone sooner as it massively improved my confidence once they cleared up.
For milder acne and oily skin I would encourage washing face morning and night with a good face wash and a flannel to gently exfoliate, the best product my dc (and I) have used is The Inkey List Salicylic acid cleanser, would also recommend La Roche Posay effeclar duo face wash (although this is a bit more pricey)
lastly drinking plenty of water is a must.

[motherstongue]

DS was plagued with acne from the age of 15. He was and still is a very confident person but it still did affect him. He wouldn’t swim without a t-shirt for instance. We tried over the counter, then prescription before finally seeing a dermatologist when he was 18. He was prescribed Roacutane which worked brilliantly but we were so concerned about the side effects he took a gap year so he could have treatment and stay at home. It took over 6 months to clear up. My wonderful DS blossomed and it gave him happiness back (which is so different to confidence).

[SeverineSix]

Hmmm building confidence in a teen with acne? DS(15) is on isotretinoin after 18 months of largely useless antibiotics.

I would say:
Validate their feelings- don't dismiss or minimise them, or try and persuade them they look ok if they don't. Validate- "I understand that you feel xyz" etc

Focus on their strengths/ plus points- as in their character or activities they do. look for the successes, notice them, acknowledge them. (It's not a great thing to focus on their looks whether they're Adonis or suffering with acne.)

Discreetly remove non-essential mirrors so they're not always coming face to face with their reflection. i'm sure some people will object to this but it worked for us.

(A tip for parents, remove all nice towels from circulation/ their bathroom. Everything gets bleached with benzoyl peroxide. Even their clothes around the necks etc. Use white pillow cases as they will also get bleached.)

[ohdannyboy]

watch them, listen to them, help to give them the tools for self confidence, ask them if they want to try products - or embrace their puberty - I think differences are embraced more than they ever used to be.

[ButterOllocks]

If you praise and encourage self confidence - when puberty hits the journey should be less traumatic when acne takes hold. So be a supportive parent, and talk to them and if required buy products if they feel they need this.

[itsywitsy]

Confidence starts at an early age with praise, having good lines of communication, being a listener - be a listener - ask them to talk.
Ask them if they want to try products to help with the symptoms - and discuss together how to use the product - and if the results are not great - try another product - all the time praising, loving supporting and listening - Acne does not last forever - remind them of this too

[littlecottonbud]

when and if I see symptoms, I would talk to them how they feel about this - and if they say it is not bothering them - ask them again soon - they may not want to admit this.
I would buy a suitable product for their age and skin type - and see my local pharmacist for advice.
If your child is loved, supported, has good self confidence this journey will be one they can go through - and learn and discover their resilience

[Charliebong]

Building confidence in a teenager that suffers with severe acne…I’m not convinced you can. Constantly having red, angry, sore facial skin is so confidence sapping especially at that age.

So yes, action all the good advice given by PP but push for a dermatology referral via GP…topical, over the counter treatments (however expensive) will often not be the answer and delays in accessing professional treatment increases the risk of scarring.

Its not hyperbole to say that a dermatology appointment changed my daughters life.

[BristolMum96]

I will tell mine not to bother stressing with a hundred products or diets etc. it's hormonal and you will ride it out like everyone else. Most are in the same boat. Soon to be a distant memory!

[WordsandSentences]

I agree with validating the feelings vs pretending it doesn’t exist. Also, if you’ve tried topical OTC and you’re getting nowhere, see a doctor or dermatologist. Both from a mental health perspective but to prevent permanent scarring. It doesn’t always resolve by itself.

[BasiliskStare]

I went through this with DS - he has good friends and was not teased etc

But & I think I asked this before but have lost the answer , is there any product anyone can recommend for scarring ( so acne itself has gone ) Am happy to start a new thread If this not relevant to this one

Thank you