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Thanks to TikTok, teens are much more well-versed in curating the perfect skincare routine than we were as adolescents. That also means they’ve probably been asking you to buy them beauty products to replicate that glow of their favorite celebs or online influencers (whom you might not even recognize). If you’re parenting teenagers, diving into the world of beauty and skincare can equate to a lot of dollar signs in your future — but luckily, a bunch of innovative and wallet-friendly skincare brands for teens have popped up as of late at hotspots like Amazon and Target, so everyone wins.
It’s true that we only had a handful of healthy skincare options to choose from when we were 13 if you wanted to zap zits — does a certain grapefruit face scrub stir up any memories? Now, there are more effective and affordable options than ever targeted for the unique needs of teen skin. Bonus: The packaging on these newer teen skincare brands are super IG-worthy, so they make for the perfect medicine cabinet #shelfie. You won’t even mind them cluttering the bathroom counter every morning. They’re that cute, trust us.
An essential life skill is carrying out a good, healthy skincare routine, and it’s it’s never too early to get started! And whatever you do or buy for them, make sure SPF is part of their daily routine. Every. Single. Day. Yes even in the winter!
As for teen skincare product lines, there’s Bubble, a nontoxic skincare brand for teens, that makes taking care of acne actually fun — so much so, that we wish we had this brand in our younger years. Recurrent’s also filling the gap in the young adult skincare world with eco-friendly, socially conscious, and gender-neutral products — teens are even involved in the business to ensure the products cater to the people they’re made for. There’s a laundry list of other teen skincare brands (many available on Amazon), so read on to find the best brands to stock your teenager’s bathroom with (and even your own bathroom — there is no age limit on these products!).
These next-level (but easy-to-use) skincare brands for teens ahead will have them feeling confident in their skin, so much so that they might be featured, along with their glowing skin, in their next “GRWM” video. That’s “Get Ready with Me” for all you non-TikTokers!
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. CLEARSTEM is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
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Miles
Your teen is about to smell squeaky clean (or fresh, or rugged, whatever they are feeling at the moment) with the stylish new Miles gender-neutral deodorant line. You can buy the 3-pack of deodorants in a variety of plant-based, citrusy scents, or you can go with the phthalate-and-paraben-free anti-perspirant and deodorant combo if you’re sending them to soccer practice. Reviewers note that it doesn’t leave white marks on a t-shirt, so that’s a bonus too!
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Curology
Image Credit: Curology If you have a teen or tween that is interested in building a skincare routine, head to Target. The mega-retailer now carries Curology — an affordable line of skincare tested by dermatologists. There are so many goodies to choose from, but we recommend the Acne Face Wash and the Micellar Makeup Remover.
Micellar Makeup Remover $11.99 -
Tubby Todd
Image Credit: Tubby Todd Tubby Todd just launched their newest kids’ line, and it has the perfect skincare for preteens. From an enamel-strengthening toothpaste to a classic deodorant and face wash, these easy-to-use products are must-haves. Luckily, you can snag all of five products with the Get Ready for Me set.
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JB SKRUB
Image Credit: JB SKRUB Help your tween boy create healthy personal care habits with JB SKRUB. Launched by actress Julie Bowen and co-founded by Jill Biren, this sustainable brand is the perfect destination to start your boy’s skincare journey. Trust us, they’ll actually want to use the Premier Bundle too. It comes with all the essentials like body wash, face wash, moisturizer, and face pads.
Premier Bundle $65, originally $74 -
Farmacy Beauty
Farmacy Beauty has clean formulas that are gentle on the skin, without skimping on the effectiveness of the product. The brand is rooted in science and sustainability and uses “farm-sourced ingredients to create clean, thoughtful formulas.” One item you have to pick up for your teen? The best-selling Green Clean cleanser and makeup remover balm that removes all traces of makeup (if your teen wears it) and other debris left over from the day.
Farmacy Beauty Green Clean $36.00 -
Bubble
Image Credit: Bubble. This teen influencer-approved brand (Kenzie Ziegler is one of many spokespeople) is flooding Instagram feeds everywhere, so naturally, this one is likely on your young adult’s radar already. But the nontoxic skincare line offers more than just cute looks—everything is nontoxic, cruelty-free, and plant-based. The inclusive brand’s mission is to make products that help teens feel confident in their own skin instead of trying to blend in with everyone else. You can shop bundles for dry and oily skin or a full set for all skin types.
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Glossier
Image Credit: Glossier. One of the more mainstream direct-to-consumer brands for teens and adults alike, Glossier is always a go-to pick. This trio of essential skincare bestsellers—Balm Dotcom, Priming Moisturizer, and Milky Jelly Cleanser—is the ultimate way to jumsptart your teen’s skincare routine. You also save $12 with the bundle.
The 3-Step Skincare Routine $57 -
Drunk Elephant
Image Credit: Drunk Elephant If Drunk Elephant’s packaging isn’t enough to make you grab one of each product, their formulas will. Each one of the brand’s products treats common skin concerns like dull and dry skin. For teens, we recommend the Virgin Marula Oil, which is rich in antioxidants like omegas 6 and 9 that are needed for growing and nourishing the skin.
Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil $68 -
Youth to the People
Image Credit: Youth to the People. A favorite of your teen’s favorite beauty influencer Hyram, this nutrient-rich cleanser from Youth to the People is basically a green juice cleanse for your face. Literally—it’s made with kale, green tea, and spinach vitamins! It’s PH-balanced, non drying, and dissolves dirt with ease (buh, bye acne!).
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Versed
Image Credit: Versed. Versed changed the drugstore beauty game forever by offering affordable, safe, and innovative products unlike any others on the shelves next to it. While this may be one of your favorite wallet-friendly skincare buys (especially on Target runs), it’s also perfect for your teen. We recommend trying the Keep the Peace calming cleanser for your teen battling breakouts—it’s made with innovative ingredients like blue tansy and apple fruit extract that don’t dry your skin out like all those other acne face washes.
ACNE-CALMING CREAM CLEANSER $17.99 -
Tula
Image Credit: Tula This three-piece acne clearing set is packed with derm-approved salicylic acid and probiotic extracts. The set includes a foaming cleanser that removes residue and buildup from pores. Next up is the Clear It Up Acne Clearing & Tone Correcting Gel which fights inflammation and redness caused by acne. Lastly, is the acne moisturizer that helps to prevent future breakouts.
Level 3 Acne Clearing Routine $98 -
Mario Badescu
Image Credit: Mario Badescu Mario Badescu’s Cream Soap is an excellent addition to your tween’s skincare routine. It’s non-drying and detergent-free, so it doesn’t disrupt sensitive skin.
Mario Badescu Cream Soap $24 on Amazon.com -
Peace Out Skincare
Image Credit: Peace Out Looking for skincare that offers a quick, easy solution? Try Peace Out which has award-winning acne dots that come in so many versions to clear acne in six hours or less. And this duo kit comes with everything you need for clear skin — including the brand’s shopper-loved acne patches.
AMAZING ACNE DUO $40, originally $53 -
CLEARSTEM Power Trio Kit
Image Credit: CLEARSTEM. Long gone are the days when teens had just one harsh acne kit to choose from. CLEARSTEM’s products for acne-prone skin are the ultimate game-changer in the world of acne products for teens (and adults). This powerful, yet gentle, trio of products will simplify their routine. The Vitamin Scrub and Clearity serum gently exfoliate and unclog pores and the Hydraglow Moisturizer keeps skin hydrated to prevent future breakouts.
CLEARSTEM Power Trio Kit $165 -
The Honest Co.
Image Credit: The Honest Co. Jessica Alba’s clean beauty and lifestyle brand offer a 5-piece tween-friendly skincare set, which includes gentle products targeted to clean and clear their temperamental skin. With a Vitamin C serum and mud mask along with other basics, this kit is a solid option for your more experienced teen—or one who binges beauty videos on YouTube.
TWEEN SKINCARE KIT $99.99 -
SuperGoop!
No matter how old your teen is they need to apply SPF every day. SuperGoop! has formulas for the entire family that are easy to remember (and dare we say, fun) to use. The Unseen Sunscreen melts into the skin without leaving any white cast behind. It also leaves skin with a light, dewy glow.
Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 $48.00 -
Cocokind
Image Credit: Cocokind. Meet your teen’s (and your) new go-to skincare brand that you’ll want to pick up during your next Target haul. The AAPI-owned skincare brand offers sustainable products that are kind to your face and the environment (and your wallet). They’re mixing up the beauty industry by telling you exactly what’s in every product—they even provide sustainability facts on their packaging so you know they’re actually sticking to their word when they say they’re eco-conscious.
Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream – 1.7 fl oz $28.49 -
florence by mills
Image Credit: Florence by Mills. Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown’s line, florence by mills, makes skincare for teens both fun and accessible, and the brand’s deliciously scented Pout Party Coffee Lip Scrub is no exception. With gentle exfoliators like sugar and ground coffee seeds, as well as vitamin E and sunflower oil to nourish and protect lips, your teen will love saying farewell to a dry, flaky, and irritated pout.
florence by mills Pout Party Coffee Lip Scrub $16 -
Kopari
Image Credit: Kopari. Each of Kopari’s products are made with organic coconut oil that’ll have your teen’s skin moisturized from head to toe. From a lightweight moisturizer to a shea butter lip gloss that even Billie Eilish loves (because no teen skincare routine is complete without some poppin’ gloss), Kopari’s the ultimate pick if they’re obsessed with coconut oil.
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Kinship
Image Credit: Kinship. Kinship’s inclusive, award-winning products are a hit among Gen Z, so there’s no way your picky teen won’t be on board with this cruelty-free brand. Their clean products are barrier-safe and are packaged in post-consumer recycled plastic, so they can put their best face forward while leaving a smaller footprint on the earth. This starter duo is an easy way to introduce your young adult to skincare without overwhelming them—it includes SPF and cleanser—you’ll just want to get them a moisturizer and they’ll be good to go.
Kinship SPF Duo Skincare Bundle $46.50, originally $49 -
Glow Recipe
Image Credit: Glow Recipe. There’s a good chance your TikTok-loving teen has seen Glow Recipe’s products go viral on the platform. The K-beauty brand may be pricier, but the fruit-infused products are definitely worth the hype. Some cult favorites, like the Avocado Retinol Mask, are better suited for adults, this hydrating watermelon moisturizer is a suitable pick for teens—and goes a longgg way. Watermelon sugar high, anyone?
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Face Moisturizer $39 on Amazon.com -
I Dew Care
Image Credit: I Dew Care. A birthday cake face mask complete with (non-edible) sprinkles? We can’t think of anything that smells like teen spirit more than I Dew Care. These playful products are made with fun in mind and lots of clever play on words involved—from the “Peel Lit” citric acid pads (great for acne-prone skin) to a “Disco Kitten” glittery peel-off mask that feels like a party in a jar.
I DEW CARE Wash-Off Face Mask – Cake My Day $25 -
CeraVe
Image Credit: CeraVe. Okay, not necessarily made just for teens or new, but the TikTok-favorite (and developed by derms!) brand is a tried-and-true pick for anyone not wanting to spend their entire paycheck on skincare. Because, skincare is really healthcare and shouldn’t be expensive. The gentle, hydrating formulas are aimed to protect your skin barrier (to prevent water loss) and are suitable for a variety of skin types.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Combo Pack $18.99 -
Petite ‘n Pretty
Image Credit: Petite ‘n Pretty. Your trendy teen will think you’re the coolest parent ever for getting them this foamy 9021-Glow! cleanser from Petite ‘n Pretty that removes dirt and oil almost like magic. The products are safe for sensitive skin and Pediatrician-approved and boast an anti-pollution complex to protect their delicate skin from environmental stressors.
9021-Glow! Fresh Start Cleanser $16, originally $16 -
Clinique
Image Credit: Clinique. Okay, not a new skincare brand for teens, but it’s one your teen with acne should definitely have on their top shelf. Teen acne is never fun, but Clinique’s Acne Solutions line should help them feel more confident in their own skin. This lotion helps unclog pores, control excess shine and exfoliates to help reduce breakouts. We recommend using all three steps of the salicylic acid line for best results.
Acne Solutions™ Clarifying Lotion $20 -
Everyday Humans
Image Credit: Everyday Humans. This super silky, zero white cast sunscreen from Everyday Humans is my go-to sunscreen (that makes me actually excited to put it on daily), so I can confidently say your teen will be excited to hop on the SPF bandwagon with this life-changing product—literally. This multi-tasking skin hero is packed with moisturizing ingredients like green tea, spinach and hyaluronic acid that other standard sun protectants don’t have. If there’s one skincare product they need to use everyday, make it this sunscreen (or the other ones Everyday Humans has to offer).
Everyday Humans Resting Beach Face SPF30 Sunscreen Serum $24 on Amazon.com -
Pacifica
Image Credit: Pacifica. This clean, vegan skincare brand is perfect for your eco-conscious teen. You can’t go wrong with any of their products, but this gentle, yet effective Bacne Warrior acne spray is a serious game changer. You can also get the complete acne bundle for a complete skincare routine for your teen.
Pacifica Bacne Warrior $15.99 on Amazon.com -
bliss
Image Credit: bliss. Celeb-loved bliss is a brand we’re tempted to hoard for ourselves, but the skincare company’s latest launches are tailor-made for teens, so…we’ll share! The new Clear Genius Body Acne Spray and Clear Genius Spot Treatment are perfect for teens with breakout-prone skin, and the Spa Wonders Serum Set provides everything they need to feel like a mini skincare guru, while protecting skin from harsh ingredients or unnecessary steps. A trio of hero ingredients (calming cica, brightening vitamin E, and smoothing lactic acid) come in ampoules so bright and pretty, you’ll want to show ’em off on your feeds, too.
Clear Genius Acne Spot Treatment $12.97, originally $15 -
Recurrent
Image Credit: Recurrent. Recurrent’s mission is to remove the stigma against teen hygiene issues—acne and body odor to name just a couple. Their line of gender-neutral and eco-conscious products are made with innovative ingredients, making teen skincare way better than the stuff you used as a teen. Their face wash, which is a powder, is made with reishi mushrooms, which are known to help clear the skin. Everything is $15 and under or $34 for the bundle.
recurrent Face Wash Powder $15 -
Hero
Image Credit: Hero Treating pesky blemishes and ones that never seem to budge is a breeze, thanks to Hero’s pimple patches. The spot stickers not only stop your teen from picking at a spot, but they also pulls all of the bacteria and grime out of pimples and leaves it with less swelling in six to eight hours. The patches also blend into your skin, so you can wear them in public without any embarrassment.
Mighty Patch Original $12.99 -
INNBeauty Project
Image Credit: INNBeauty Project Founded with the mission of celebrating self-expression, INNBeauty Project has done just that since its birth. The brand believes in non-toxic skincare that’s affordable for all. Plus, all of the products are vegan and cruelty-free, too.
Next Level Moisturizer $20 -
Beauty Counter
Image Credit: Beauty Counter Skincare doesn’t stop at the neck. It’s for every inch of your body —including your pits. Add this fun deodorant from the clean brand Beautycounter to your teen’s collection. It comes in a gorgeous easy-to-use container and has the best scents. The brand says the deodorant is “made without aluminum, it glides on smoothly without leaving white residue and has a fresh rose scent.”
