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Original poster

What age do I introduce a beauty routine to DD?

47 replies

PippiL · 17/05/2012 19:12

She is 8!

Always just washed her face with hot water and a flannel. But she is getting some teeny weeny blackheads, which she (quite rightly) won't let me squeeze.

Tried oil cleansing, which she enjoys, but is a faff.

Do I get her to wash with a gentle face wash? DH uses Simple so she could use that I guess. Does she need a moisturiser then?!

Or, do I just continue with hot flannel for now? Don't want to mess her skin up, as I suffered from acne when I was a teen and my mum had no idea how to deal with it. I ended up using all sorts of harsh spot creams, when I Really just needed a good routine.

OP posts:
FootballFriendSays · 17/05/2012 20:02

Acne is not due to dirt or lack of routine, though. I think she's too young to worry about a 'beauty' routine.

ggirl · 17/05/2012 20:04

think you should encourage the routine she currently does

thriftychic · 17/05/2012 20:13

i think i was about 11 when my lovely mother bought me oil of ulay products and ive done the routine ever since !

thriftychic · 17/05/2012 20:14

i think i was about 11 when my lovely mother bought me oil of ulay products and ive done the routine ever since !

thriftychic · 17/05/2012 20:15

oops!

GobblersKnob · 17/05/2012 20:17

I was 10 when my mum started me on cleansing, toning and moisturizing. It may be just good genes but I have got good skin.

EmmaCate · 17/05/2012 20:20

I remember getting an Usborne book of make-up around age 10 or 11 and it advocated the now commonplace 'cleanse, tone, moisturise' routine. I did that from about that age, initially using Pond's light moisturiser and vanishing creme and then Olay 15 SPF into my early twenties.

My family aren't prone to spots and I only got a few in adolescence (enough for squeezing kicks), but my skin is still in good condition and I'm convinced the early years tending did me good. That and using the SPF moisturiser. That one is a given for keeping your wrinkles minimised.

EmmaCate · 17/05/2012 20:20

Geez... almost exactly x-post with Gobblers.

OracleInaCoracle · 17/05/2012 20:30

I've never had a routine. The closest I get to one is wiping a wipe over my face and using whatever moisturiser I can afford get my hands on. I use a gentle face wash daily but never did the cleanse/tone/moisturise/mask thing. I've also always had good skin, partly down to genes (my nan is in her 80's and looks like she's 40) and partly because I don't wear make up.

SeaHouses · 17/05/2012 20:31

Is it necessary to tone and moisture if you don't have dry skin?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 17/05/2012 20:33

I'd probably sell it as a skincare routine rather than beauty though.

Beauty says make up to me.

treefumaster · 17/05/2012 20:35

sorry but none of that stuff makes a difference. I started having skin troubles at about the age of your DD ( remember my mum taking me into the chemist at about 8 and getting some phisohex - not sure if they still make that). I still have not great skin at the age of 43 having tried almost everything. I would leave her alone to do what she is already doing - am a bit horrified by a routine at 8 tbh. A "good routine" will not cure acne Sad.

OracleInaCoracle · 17/05/2012 20:37

Itsallgoingtobefine, I agree there. its about hygiene and keeping your skin healthy, not beauty.

OracleInaCoracle · 17/05/2012 20:37

Itsallgoingtobefine, I agree there. its about hygiene and keeping your skin healthy, not beauty.

TheCunningStunt · 17/05/2012 20:38

I have never cleansed, toned and rarely moisturise. I have always had great skin.....she is 8....excuse my [consfused] face.

TheCunningStunt · 17/05/2012 20:38

Consfused Grin ooops!!!

Virgil · 17/05/2012 20:50

I'd get her a gentle foaming face wash (Clinique do a gentle one) and a very light moisturiser. Her age is irrelevant really. DS2 needs a moisturiser and he's 4!

Original poster
PippiL · 17/05/2012 21:36

Thanks for the replies. I know I am thinking in advance, but just want to be prepared to help her along the way like my mum never did.

I guess if she likes the oil cleansing every now and again that might help with the blackheads. But otherwise I think I will stick with a hot flannel for now.

She did have a slight body odour issue a few months ago so I bought her some PitRok for when she does sports (she is very athletic) and encouraged her to make sure she we washing her important bits every time she has a bath!

She has such perfect skin, I just don't want her to do anything to mess it up y'know?!

OP posts:
Original poster
PippiL · 17/05/2012 21:38

Cunningstunt - never cleansed... Do you mean with cleanser and a pad...or just erm washing?! Surely you must clean your face with something?

OP posts:
OracleInaCoracle · 17/05/2012 21:42

I cannot stress enough, acne is down to hormones and genetics, NOT cleansing routine.

treefumaster · 17/05/2012 21:44

oracleinacoracle -- absolutely right.

YourCallIsImportant · 17/05/2012 21:47

PippiL I was just about to post about the same thing so am watching with interest.

DD has just turned 9 and I spotted her first blackhead last Friday. I say her first, because I think another is about to appear.

I've always just wiped her face with a damp flannel, but since the weekend I've been washing it with Simple Facial Wash.

I've had them since I was a teenager (except when PG) and I'd hate for her to get loads like me.

Original poster
PippiL · 17/05/2012 22:03

Ok. Down to genetics.

But that doesn't really answer my question.

What do I do about an 8yo with blackheads?

OP posts:
treefumaster · 17/05/2012 22:10

the point is there's not much you can do. 35 years of experimentation leads me to believe there is not much you can do.

Obviously you should teach her good hygiene but my parents (who had good skin as teenagers) tried lots of things for me and they don't work.

Annunziata · 17/05/2012 22:15

You can get blackhead remover but even the Simple stuff stings like hell, not what you want on such young skin. You'll make her paranoid if you have her put chemicals on her face so young.