Your Clear Skin Solution for Teen Acne

Acne can be an absolute confidence killer as a teenager. Whether it’s a minor breakout or severe acne, it can be embarrassing and stressful. 

At The Acne Lab, we understand the struggle of teen acne. We teach teens how to care for their skin and build habits and strategies for clear skin for the teen years and beyond.

Get Clear Skin with The Acne Lab

12+ Years of Acne Expertise

2500+ Happy Clients with Clear Skin

Proven Prescription-Free Strategy

“My son struggled with acne this past year and it was really starting to affect his confidence.

The team at The Acne Lab was so kind and understanding, providing a treatment plan that worked quickly and effectively.

Seeing his smile and confidence return has been the greatest gift, and we’re so grateful for their help!.."

Christy V.

“The Acne Lab has helped my skin tremendously. 

My face was constantly dry and hurt to even wash or touch it.  I was very insecure with how I looked. After going through the process my skin got significantly better even after doing the most basic steps that they provided.

It took time and patience, but you just have to trust the process... Forever grateful for the transformation.”

Maya N.

“I had no idea my skin could feel so smooth, after using the products and getting the treatments I now notice how smooth it is to touch and I love that!”

Clay B.

There's hope for clear skin

Book Your Consultation

At The Acne Lab, teens can achieve healthy, clear skin. 

Your teen will get expert guidance and compassionate support as they heal and transform their skin. Our proven system has given thousands of clients confidence and long-lasting healthy, clear skin.

Book Now

What happens if you have “sticky skin”?

  • “Sticky skin” builds up in hair follicles because skin cells are shedding faster than the follicle can clear it out, causing the extra skin cells and oils to build into a plug.
  • Plugs take 3-4 months of build-up before they become acne.
  • ALL acne is a 3-4 month build-up of sticky skin before it shows up on the skin as pimples (inflamed/red/cystic) and/or blackheads (not inflamed/rough texture but not red).
  • During the teen years, hormones and lifestyle (see below) create a cocktail of inflammation that trigger acne in teens who are already genetically predisposed.   
  • Because acne is inherited, it can’t be cured. However, acne-prone teens CAN get healthy, clear skin with The Acne Lab’s proven skin care strategy. 

Why Do Teens Get Acne?

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about teen acne. Why do some teens have clear skin while others struggle with acne? 

It’s common to blame diet, skincare habits, or hormones. But those are just things that INFLUENCE acne. 


The real cause of acne is GENETICS. 

Acne-prone teens have an inherited predisposition for what we call “sticky skin” (the technical term is Retention Hyperkeratosis).

1/5

What Influences Acne?

1/5

Hormones

Hormones can be a big influencer of acne as teens go through puberty.

When certain hormones increase, it causes pores to produce more oil. This excess oil can mix with dead skin cells and clog pores, creating a recipe for acne. 

Hormone fluctuation can also trigger inflammation, making acne worse. 

Diet

It’s fair to say that teens don’t always have the best diets. They eat a lot of processed and fast foods that are known to cause inflammation in the body.

But, just like the other influences listed here, food does not cause your teen to have acne. But, what teens eat can help reduce or increase inflammation and acne.

For some teens, we recommend diet changes or supplements that aid in digestion and can help reduce the skin’s reactions to inflammation.

Stress

Stress is often a trigger for acne flare-ups in teens.

Teens experience a lot of stress, including school, social life, jobs, and planning for post-graduation. They also have to manage times of acute stress (finals, death or divorce in the family, illness, etc.). 

In response to stress, our bodies produce inflammatory hormones that stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin. This creates a cycle of inflammation with bacteria on our skin and triggers breakouts.

Hair Products, Skincare, & Makeup

Ingredients matter for teens with acne-prone skin. 

Some products (especially typical teen acne skincare products) can leave skin dry, itchy, red, or flakey. When skin gets irritated, it increases oil production to protect and heal itself, but that also can trigger acne.

Products with pore-clogging ingredients also can trigger acne. If your teen has acne-prone skin, avoid pore-cloggers. You can use our Pore Clogger Checker to see if a product is safe for acne-prone skin.

Makeup is a major influencer in acne. There are no solutions for acne if makeup isn’t also acne-safe. The only 100% safe type of makeup are pure, loose minerals.

Medications

Some medications have a side effect of acne for teens. If you suspect that a medicine is triggering acne or making it worse, your teen would  continue taking the medication — but talk with the doctor who prescribed it. Ask if acne is a possible side effect and if there are any alternatives that still address the reasons for the medication but might have less stress on their skin.

If medications are influencing acne, following the Clear Skin Rules will be a good first step. Choosing anti-inflammatory diet/supplement strategies are often equally important to get the best results.