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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

DS won't wash his face and it's covered in spots

90 replies

NCTDN · 04/09/2021 22:45

What do I do? Aside from pinning him down, how can I convince him to clean it? He says he's not bothered but I am. He really dislikes and face wash (loans about it going in his eyes) so any other suggestions welcomed.
He's 14 and doesn't yet care about his appearance. I'm hoping that when back at school he'll become more aware and do something about it.

OP posts:

Haggisfish3 · 04/09/2021 22:46

Cleansing pads?

pinkcattydude · 04/09/2021 22:48

If you can afford it try the liz Earle men’s it’s fine even if you get it in your eyes only thing my brother would tolerate

tiredanddangerous · 04/09/2021 22:48

Cleaning his face won't stop spots. They're hormonal.

Bar of soap? Flannel and warm water?

xyzandabc · 04/09/2021 22:49

I have a 14 yr old with the same issues. I've tried flannels, exfoliating gloves, special face wash. Back and shoulders equally spotty. Hates washing, showering and hair washing of any description and has to be forced to do it. Through choice would probably never wash again.

I have no idea what the solution is but please know that you are not alone.

PlanDeRaccordement · 04/09/2021 22:49

You don’t need to use face wash if you don’t wear makeup. Water is good enough cleanser.

The spots aren’t due to poor hygiene. Take him to GP and get a prescription cream like Duac for the spots.

Fluffypastelslippers · 04/09/2021 22:50

He says he's not bothered but I am.

It's his face. Leave him alone.

Divebar2021 · 04/09/2021 22:52

CeraVe is good for teenage skin… for all skin actually. He needs a pile of face cloths which are changed very frequently. If his skin is bad perhaps he needs to see a Dr for some medication. I’m not sure how you get him to do it though… does he like girls / boys yet?

Original poster

NCTDN · 04/09/2021 23:04

Not remotely interested in girls yet- hoping that when he is this will change!
I do think it's poor hygiene though and if I took him to the gp he would just get told to wash.

OP posts:

Haggisfish3 · 04/09/2021 23:08

And yes, I suspect cleansing etc will make very little difference to spots

Laquila · 04/09/2021 23:10

I'm not convinced it's great advice that you don't need to wear face wash if you don't wear make-up 😳

People sweat/get dirty/eat and drink
..you don't have to be wearing make-up to need to clean your face with more than water every now and again! And yes, the spots may very well be hormonal but a mild face wash cot sing something like salicylic acid could be helpful - CeraVe do a good one. God knows how you'll get him to use it though - good luck!

EccentricaGalumbits · 04/09/2021 23:12

My 15yo grooms himself meticulously and still has lots of pimples. We have been to the GP about it and washing habits aren't raised.

But if you're determined to ignore everyone and make it all about washing I'd concentrate on clean hands, as they are what is transferring the bacteria to his face.

PumpkinKlNG · 04/09/2021 23:14

I’m surprised people haven’t said anything about it? I got bullied terrible in school for having spots!

BoffinMum · 04/09/2021 23:14

I sent one of mine for a teen facial with a beautician who was good with young boys and this helped a lot.

Mammaaof · 04/09/2021 23:15

Highly doubt the Dr would say "wash" 🤨 ask for duac.

peppaminttea · 04/09/2021 23:18

I have a 12 year old with ASD and exactly the same problem and not really bothered. Although he won't tolerate washing his face I did manage to persuade him to use clearasil 5 in 1 cleaning pads which contain salicylic acid. Now using then is part of his routine, no problem. They have help a lot but not cleared it up completely. As it has not cleared up completely I got him a prescription for DUAC from the GP so now he is using both the wipes and DUAC cream. He is no so keen on the cream so I have to apply it for him. He has only been using 2 weeks so to early to tell if it will be enough to clear it up but there has been done improvement.

Iliketeaagain · 04/09/2021 23:18

I agree it may not be cleaning his face that is the issue. Dd is 12, and was getting spots - I'm sure some of it is hormonal, but some of it definitely was that she wasn't cleaning her face at all. I persuaded her to try some skin care - cerave wash and regular moisturiser, plus teen salycilic acid face pads around her t-zone every other day, and a lot have cleared up. It's a chore, but she has notice the difference in her skin so has kept it up.

There are still spots, but she has noticed a difference. I had acne has an older teen, and one thing that the skin person suggested before I started roaccutane was to try a proper skin care routine. It helped a bit, but not with the true acne spots.

negomi90 · 04/09/2021 23:18

I don't wash my face anything other than water. Spots are a hormone thing, not a hygiene thing.
Soap risks irritating things more.
If he's not bothered, leave him alone, you don't want to make him self conscious.

Original poster

NCTDN · 04/09/2021 23:19

@peppaminttea I was just wondering about those clearasil wipes.

OP posts:

Gloschick · 04/09/2021 23:23

My DS sounds similar to yours. He hates washing his face, but he will agree to use clearasil fast action pads, which help him stay on top of his spots 90% of the time.

NotMyCat · 04/09/2021 23:24

Clean hands
Clean pillowcases (I change mine 3 x a week)
I don't like face washing so I use a cleanse, massage it on and then wipe off with a hot flannel

Boredhimtodeath · 04/09/2021 23:35

I had acne. Washed my face every day and was horrifically self conscious. I would be glad my child wasn’t bothered if I was you rather than having 0 confidence over it.

The only thing that helped me was roaccutane. Maybe as a first step you can actually take him to the GP - but only if he is bothered, if not then it’s good he knows there is more to him than his appearance.

Beautiful3 · 04/09/2021 23:35

Flannel for a hot water wash or facial wipes?

Iggly · 04/09/2021 23:37

I had bad spots and mine was really due to oily skin being a magnet for dirt - when I went on holiday outside of dirty polluted London, my skin cleared up.

KangarooSally · 04/09/2021 23:42

I've never washed my face in my entire life except a few occasions when I wore makeup (being a bridesmaid). Had a few pimples age 13-16 but that's it. And not enough of them to call it acne. I don't think washing will help your son. Take him to a GP.

ittakes2 · 04/09/2021 23:59

I have a teen the same - for my birthday when he asked what I wanted as a present I said for him to have a facial and he was not happy but obliged! Beautician suggested some things which have helped.
I have decided I am going to have face clothes in my kitchen and every so often warm them with water and wipe over his face.
Also important don't touch hair and then face.

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