Hello there, lovely...
I'm really glad you came in.
Can I guess something?
Maybe you've looked in the mirror this morning and thought, 'Why me?'
Or perhaps you've been doing everything you can think of, yet another spot has appeared anyway.
If that's how you're feeling, I'd love you to know something before we go any further.
You're not dirty.
You're not doing anything wrong.
And you're definitely not the only one.
In fact, if there was one conversation I've had more than almost any other over the last thirty-five years, it's this one.
So...
Pop your worries down for a little while.
Let's unpickle what's happening.
What's Actually Going On
Your skin is changing because you're growing.
During the teenage years, changes in hormone levels can encourage the glands beside your hair follicles to make more oil.
Oil isn't the enemy.
Your skin needs it.
But sometimes your skin makes more than it needs.
When extra oil and dead skin cells collect inside a pore, that pore can become blocked. Bacteria that normally live on the skin can also contribute to inflammation, so the area may become red, swollen or sore.
That's what we often see as a spot.
Your skin isn't trying to annoy you.
It's responding to changes happening inside it.
But I Wash My Face
This one surprises lots of people.
Many teenagers tell me, 'I wash my face all the time, so why am I still getting spots?'
The answer is simple.
Acne isn't caused by dirty skin.
Washing your face gently helps care for your skin. But washing it over and over again won't stop hormones doing what hormones naturally do.
In fact, scrubbing too hard or washing too often can irritate your skin and make it feel even more unhappy.
Gentle almost always wins.
Lots of Little Things Can Influence Your Skin
Your skin doesn't live on its own.
It lives with you.
Hormonal changes, stress, sweating, some medicines, the products you use and your family's skin history may all play a part.
That's why no two people have exactly the same skin journey.
Please don't compare your chapter one with somebody else's chapter twenty.
What Can I Do Today
If your skin has been breaking out, here's where I'd begin.
CLEANSE Wash gently with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. Morning and evening is usually enough.
MOISTURISE Use a light moisturiser, even if your skin feels oily.
PROTECT Finish your morning routine with SPF and follow the directions on the label.
LEAVE Try your very best not to squeeze or pick spots.
WAIT Give your routine time to work before changing everything.
Little habits. Repeated gently. They're often the secret.
From Skin Pickle's Pantry Shelf
If you would like a simple routine while you're getting to know your skin, Hudz, Jam and Ray offer a gentle place to begin.
HUDZ Foaming Cleansing Sudz
Begin with Hudz morning and evening to wash away the day without turning cleansing into a battle. Massage one or two pumps over damp skin for around thirty seconds, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Your skin should feel comfortable afterwards - never tight.
JAM Balancing Gel Moisturiser
Follow with Jam for light hydration and everyday support. Its niacinamide formula keeps the next step simple
while your skin has time to settle into a steady routine.
RAY Reflect & Protect Tinted Day Cream SPF30
In the morning, finish with Ray to help protect your skin when you head outside. Use it as directed on the product label.
Hudz, Jam and Ray support a simple skincare routine. They are not a diagnosis or a treatment for every kind of acne.
Start with the basics. Give them time. And ask for help if your skin is not settling.
If You'd Like a Little Extra Help
Sometimes your skin needs a helping hand.
Ingredients such as salicylic acid or niacinamide may be useful for some people, but different kinds of spots can need different care.
If you're feeling unsure, that's exactly why the Skin Pickle Routine Builder is here. We'll help you find a routine that suits your skin instead of copying somebody else’s.
If you would like some individual help understanding what your skin may be telling you, you can book a Skin Pickle Discovery Call or a deeper 1-2-1 personalised Teen Coaching Consultation.
Because your skin deserves advice that's as individual as you are.
Before You Go
Can I tell you something I wish every teenager believed?
Having spots doesn't make you less interesting.
It doesn't make you less kind.
It doesn't make you less funny.
And it certainly doesn't make you less worthy of being loved.
Your skin is only one small part of a much bigger story.
A Little Note from Skin Pickle
Over the years, I've met teenagers with beautifully clear skin who had no confidence at all.
I've also met teenagers with acne who lit up every room they walked into.
Your skin may change many times throughout your life.
The wonderful things about you - your kindness, your humour and your courage - are the things people remember.
So be gentle with your skin.
But even more importantly, be gentle with yourself.
I'm really glad you stopped by.
Love,
Skin Pickle
Before You Wander
If you're looking closely at your skin and wondering why your bumps don't quite look like everyone else's, there's another conversation waiting for you.
Those Tiny Bumps... Are They Really Acne?
Whenever you're ready, I'll save you a chair.