Skincare for 13 YO DD

[PeaceLoveAndCandy]

Hi there. I didn't realise how self conscious my DD was about her body until now that it's quite hot, and yet she insists in covering up completely, including arms, but specially chest and back. She won't wear anything summery, a camisole, certainly not a swimming costume...

I know she's self conscious about her weight. She is not overweight but she is womanly, unlike many of her friends who even if they've started developing, they are very very slim and much taller than her. She doesn't like her white skin. She is quite white but of course the sun doesn't reach her skin as she won't allow it.

And finally I have noticed that her chest and back are covered in acne. I haven't seen the full extent of it as she won't let me see. I feel I could help her with this by buying her the right skin care products. She does have some acne on her forehead and chin too. I have read about CeraVe in here but have never tried it. Do you think that it would be suitable for a 13 yo?

Mine likes nip n fab, often on offer in Superdrug

I'll be honest, none of the products you can buy in the shops will completely eradicate her issue. I really feel for her - it's one thing feeling self conscious because of weight comparisons and other general teenage issues, let alone not wanting to show her chest or arms because of acne :( poor thing.
I really think you should get her an appointment with the GP. This year I suffered with adult acne and the GP prescribed me Oxytetracycline (which I also took as a young teen around DD age - but my skin was fine throughout my late teens and 20's) - within 3 weeks its totally gone.
I also suspect it's not helped by the fact she's covering up so much - especially in this weather - she'll be sweating more and if she's in long sleeved tops etc it will be making her acne worse.

In terms of skin care though, if you do want to try something - id highly recommend the La Roche Posay Effaclar range (available in boots) they have a wash, toner and oil free moisturiser which are brilliant in my opinion!

I'd say try and get the acne treated ASAP as I'm sure that will be her biggest hang up. Once this is under control, she may feel more comfortable with talking to you and addressing any other concerns!

If it’s on her chest and back she needs the dr. Poor kid probably thinks she’s the only girl to have this but it’s very common at puberty & usually quite easily sorted out.

Agree with others.
Effaclar and other salicylic acid products (Paula's Choice 2% bha) will do a maintenance job but if it's that bad, she needs a dermo.
DD (16) has a lot of spots- for 2 years she's kept them under control with the above but they are getting worse and she feels bad. Just today I booked a dermatologist appt.

Thank you all.

DD hasn't let me had a proper look so it's hard to tell if it warrants a GP visit. She has agreed to a GP visit as long as I don't go in with her. Will that work if she's only 13?

I have bought a selection of products (CeraVe, Salycidic Acid and Freederm) so that she can have a morning and an evening routine. We use effaclar at home, especially my 16 YO son, with limited success. He's got them between his eyebrows and forehead and keeps popping them.

In the meantime you could also try Epsom salt baths - it is good at helping spots dry and heal and generally relaxing x

13 yo can see a dr alone.

We’ve been conned into thinking acne is a cosmetic issue but infection isn’t cosmetic.

Fluffycloudland77 I am weary about medicating my DD for something that might be a natural part of growing up, but at the same time I do realise we have no way of knowing if she'll have the spots for months or years to come, and the impact on her self-esteem.

All illnesses are natural but undesirable processes from bacterial infection to covid to cancer it’s all natural.

Some of us get p.acne infections and others don’t.

If it's bad cystic acne I would just get her onto Roaccutane to prevent scarring. All the dermatologists do it with their own kids. Acne has such a huge effect on confidence and mental health and at her age I would not waste time with skincare. if you can afford it just go and see a private dermatologist.