Salicylic acid for a 11yr old?

[Goggleb0x]

My 11 year old daughter has developed many blackheads and some spots on her T zone recently and I’ve read that salicylic acid is a good treatment for them. I’ve found a 2% liquid exfoliator by Revolution and also a cleanser by Inkey List that look good but I have never used anything like this for spots. Any advice please? Would salicylic acid be too harsh for such young skin? I’ve looked in the preteen section and can’t find anything particularly useful. Also at recommendations for products for her would be great, thanks.

I wouldn't. i'd use soap and water.

Before anyone says soa is harsh, I find it less harsh than facial wash.

BHA is generally considered gentle but recently there was a whole recall by The Ordinary as their BHA caused chemical burns probably due to issues with formulation. I don't mean to scare you off but rather suggest you go for a brand that's maybe a little bit more money but also includes soothing agents and has a good formulation reputation as opposed to a very stripped budget formulation that's just the ingredient. You only need one product, in a cleanser the exposure is very short so while it can still be effective it's a more gentle method that may or not be enough to address the issue.

I'd suggest going with Paula's Choice BHA, theirs has a really good reputation. The 2% bha perfecting liquid is the one with the cult status but for teenagers the 2% gel version is usually the easiest to use. Just start using it once or twice a week and then build it up to every (other) day, whatever feels the most effective.

My teenager uses a very inexpensive salicylic cleanser: Creightons Salicylic Acid Foaming clay cleanser, i buy it in Home Bargains. DS finds it particular good on blackheads and bumps around his nose and it has not irritated his skin unlike stronger teenage anti spot products. I've started using it myself, I would say it's effective without being harsh. it doesn't have parabens or other nasties in it.

Thank you for your answers. I’ve always been a fan of Pears soap.
It was the Paula’s choice website that I was reading so I may splash out a bit more for this one. I’ve heard these products are highly regarded.

Thanks Wbeezer I’ll take a look. I might try these out myself first.

The Inkey List cleanser isn't harsh at all.

ELF does a Niacinamide cleanser which is cheap and lovely. It smells strongly of lavender just in case she doesn't like that.

Love your username @Cacacoisfarraige

Yes

Nip + Fab do a teen range. I bought the pads for my son as he is too lazy to faff around with washes etc.

I bought one of my other sons the Nip and Fab dupes from Aldi but he kept not putting the lid back on so they dried out prematurely. That is why I don't buy posh products!

If she’s getting whiteheads I’d see the dr or you risk setting them up for years of thinking it’s their fault if they get spots and not just bacterial infection.

La Roche Posay Effaclar range fits your brief, as does Nip & Fab teen fix, though that is stronger and has the same % of salicylic as PC but is much cheaper.

As per previous poster, the inkey products are not harsh at all.
The cleanser and serums would be fine- I wouldn't hesitate to use it on hormonal skin.
I can only wish they were around when I was that age!

The pink Nip+Fab range is salicylic acid based and purposely designed for teenage skin - I use it when I get hormonal break outs, love itv

To be honest, you need to go in hard and fast with acne. La Roche Posay products are well recommended and a good start. However if you don’t see results fairly soon please go to the GP who can prescribe stronger products and if necessary get referred to a dermatologist. My DD started with acne at 11 and we spent the next several years trying all sorts of different treatments. She was so unhappy with her skin and covered up with make-up all the time.

We eventually saw a dermatologist and she was prescribed roaccutane. DD’s acne was not that bad but it was very persistent on her cheeks and she was in danger of permanent scarring. The roaccutane worked wonders, she had none of the scary side effects you read about and her skin is amazing now.

I cant quite believe the price of some of the products people are recommending but i have three teens, if i bought them all expensive brands it would get very £££. I rarely find the expensive brands are significantly better but i do check for effective and safe ingredients.

Thanks for all the great advice. Lots to look in to.

Inkey list is a mild Cleanser that will be fine. Paula's Choice BHA is good too. Only need a little bit. And a light moisturiser like La Roche Posay. Though I'd say my brother had dreadful acne and no products would help that, just keep an eye how it unfolds. Might not be acne

My DD uses PC BHA 2% with great success she hardly needs to use it now.

My DC use Cerave SA face wash which keeps their skin in check esp DS as it's noticeable when he doesn't use it.

DD did have to go on a course of antibiotics for her skin at one point to but now her skin is back to normal and looking lovely the PC is still useful and relevant

If her spots increase and become more persistent then go to your GP for lymecycline and topical benzoyl peroxide to start off with.

I’ve bought the Inkey list cleanser as found it in Boots. Shall give that a try for a bit. I quite like it myself. Thank you for all of the advice and I will be sure to speak to her GP of her skin deteriorates.