I recently had a great class with teens who asked some really thoughtful questions about skincare. Here are some of their questions—and my answer!
Why the Bacteria on Your Skin Actually Matter
Did you know your skin is home to millions of tiny bacteria—and that’s a good thing? This community is called your skin microbiome, and it’s super important for keeping your skin healthy, clear, and balanced.
Forget the idea that all bacteria are “bad.” The good ones are actually your skin’s natural defenders.
Here’s Why Good Skin Bacteria Are Important:
1. They Protect You
Good bacteria act like bodyguards, helping block out the bad stuff—like harmful germs, viruses, and fungi—that can mess with your skin.
2. They Keep Your Skin Barrier Strong
Your skin has a natural “shield” that holds in moisture and keeps out irritation. Good bacteria help keep this barrier strong, which means fewer breakouts, less redness, and smoother skin.
3. They Help Keep Skin Clear
When your microbiome is balanced, your skin is more likely to stay calm and breakout-free. If it gets out of balance (called dysbiosis), it can lead to acne, dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.
What Can Mess Up Your Microbiome?
Washing too often or using super harsh soaps
Taking too many antibiotics
Stress, junk food, or lack of sleep
Air pollution or harsh skincare
Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
How to Keep Your Skin’s Good Bacteria Happy:
Use gentle cleansers formulated for your face and condition (not super strong or drying ones)
Don’t scrub or exfoliate too hard or too often
Try skincare with prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics (these help feed the good bacteria)
Use moisturizers to support your skin barrier
Bottom Line:
Healthy skin needs healthy bacteria. Instead of trying to scrub everything away, focus on keeping the good bacteria balanced so your skin can stay clear, calm, and strong.
Social Media & Skincare: Be Careful Who You Listen To
Social media can be awesome for staying connected, discovering new things, and sharing your life—but when it comes to skincare advice, it's not always the best place to get your info.
Just because someone has clear skin and a lot of followers doesn’t mean they actually understand skin science. Many influencers are not trained professionals, and their skin may be totally different from yours. What works for them might not work for you—and could even make your skin worse.
Here’s why you should think twice before following random skincare advice online:
They might be promoting products just to get paid—not because they actually work.
They may not understand real skin conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea.
They don’t know your skin type or history. What helps one person could seriously irritate someone else.
Some viral trends are straight-up harmful, like over-exfoliating, DIY masks with lemon juice, or toothpaste on pimples.
So, who should you listen to?
Licensed estheticians and dermatologists know how skin actually works.
Reputable skincare brands often share info backed by science, not just hype.
Your own skin—how it reacts tells you more than any influencer ever could.
Bottom Line:
Social media is great for fun and inspiration—but your skin deserves real care, not just trendy advice. Always double-check what you see online and talk to a pro if you’re unsure.
Is It Actually Bad to Pick My Face?
Why You Should Not Pick Pimples:
1. It Makes Pimples Worse
Picking pushes bacteria deeper into your skin, which can cause more swelling, redness, and even bigger breakouts.
2. It Can Leave Scars
Every time you pop or pick, you damage the skin. That can lead to permanent scars or dark spots that take months to fade.
3. You’re Spreading Bacteria
Your hands have oils and germs. Touching or picking your face can spread acne-causing bacteria to other areas = more pimples.
4. It Delays Healing
Popped pimples take longer to heal than if you just leave them alone and treat them gently with skincare.
What to Do Instead:
Use a spot treatment serums or creams (not pimple patches, they can burn the skin and leave scars)
Keep your hands off your face
Wash your face 1–2 times a day (not more)
Use non-comedogenic products that won’t clog pores
Is It Bad for My Skin If I Take Really Hot Showers?
Washing your face with really hot water might feel relaxing, but it's actually bad for your skin—especially on the delicate skin of your face. Here’s why:
Why Hot Water = Trouble for Your Face
1. Strips Your Natural Oils
Hot water can wash away your skin’s natural protective oils, leaving it dry, tight, and more prone to irritation or flakiness.
2. Damages Your Skin Barrier
Your skin has a protective outer layer called the “moisture barrier”. Hot water can weaken or damage it, making your skin more sensitive to products, bacteria, and environmental stress.
3. Worsens Skin Conditions
If you have acne, rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, hot water can make things worse by triggering inflammation and redness.
4. Leads to Overproduction of Oil
When your skin gets stripped dry, it often responds by producing even more oil to make up for it—leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
5. Can Break Capillaries
Very hot water can cause tiny blood vessels under your skin to burst, especially around the nose and cheeks, leaving behind broken capillaries or redness.
What to Do Instead:
Use lukewarm water—warm enough to loosen dirt and oil but cool enough to be gentle.
Always pat dry with a soft towel—don’t rub.
Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration.
Bottom Line:
If your water is too hot for your hands, it’s too hot for your face. Keep it cool, and your skin will thank you!
Are Some Brands Of Makeup Better Than Others? How Do I Choose?
Some makeup brands are better for teens than others—especially when it comes to ingredients, skin sensitivity, and the risk of breakouts. Teens often have more delicate, acne-prone, or oily skin due to hormonal changes, so choosing makeup that’s gentle and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) is really important.
What Ingredients to Avoid in Makeup:
Ingredient: Why It’s Bad
Fragrance / Parfum: Can cause irritation, breakouts, or allergic reactions—especially if your skin is sensitive. Even "natural" fragrances can be harsh.
Alcohol (SD/Denatured): Often used to help products dry quickly, but it can dry out your skin and mess with your barrier
Mineral Oil / Petrolatum: Heavy and pore-clogging for some skin types. Can trap sweat and oil under your makeup = more breakouts
Silicones (e.g., Dimethicone): These make skin feel smooth but can trap bacteria and oil, especially if you don’t wash your face properly.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Found in some makeup removers and cleansers. It’s a strong foaming agent that can strip skin and cause irritation.
Talc: May clog pores and has been questioned for potential contamination issues. Look for talc-free powders if you’re acne-prone.
Bismuth Oxychloride: Found in some powders and mineral makeup. Can cause itchiness, redness, or breakouts, especially if you sweat.
Coconut Oil (in makeup): Sounds natural, but can clog pores when used in makeup or left on skin for long periods.
Lanolin: Found in creamy products; can be irritating or pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.
Artificial Dyes (FD&C): These are often used in colorful products and can be harsh or irritating, especially on sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Look for Instead:
Look for non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) labels
Choose products labeled fragrance-free or sensitive skin
Pick lightweight, breathable makeup like BB creams or mineral makeup
Oil-free or water based especially for foundation or concealers
Lightweight formulas. Heavy makeup can suffocate the skin and worsen acne
Always wash makeup off before bed
Pair makeup with a good skincare routine—always cleanse thoroughly before bed, and avoid using expired products.
Websites like ClearStem.com and Incidecoder.com have ingredient checker tools where you can copy and paste the ingredients from your makeup or skincare products to see if they might clog pores, cause breakouts, or irritate your skin. It's a smart way to make sure your products are safe for teen and acne-prone skin—especially if you're trying to clear up breakouts or keep your skin balanced.
