Breakouts are one of the most common parts of growing up, and they don't define you. Healthy, clear skin isn't about harsh products or perfect skin. It's about the right tools, a little knowledge, and a gentle routine you can actually stick with. Here's everything I share with the teens (and parents!) who come to see me.

Why do I break out?

For most teens, it comes down to hormones. As your body changes, your oil glands can go into overdrive and make more oil than your skin can handle. That extra oil clogs pores, which leads to blackheads and breakouts. Hormone shifts from puberty, your cycle or stress can make it feel like your skin has a mind of its own. You can't control your hormones, but you can support your skin through them.

Start simple (seriously)

If you've been washing with plain water, bar soap or shampoo until now, don't jump into a ten-step routine. Too much too soon leads to frustration and skipped nights. Basic is better. Start with just two habits:

1. Wash your face every night.
2. Moisturize and wear SPF every morning.

Once those feel automatic, add one new product at a time. You'll be surprised how quickly skin can calm down with professional-grade products used consistently.

Starter pairings by skin type

• Oily skin with breakouts: Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam + Acne Advanced Clarifying Hydrator
• Sensitive or reactive skin: Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser + Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer
• Normal to combination skin: Stone Crop Gel Wash + Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator
• Every skin type, every morning: a daily SPF like Radiant Protection SPF Fluid

Not sure which you are? Take the skin quiz. It takes about two minutes.

Ready for more? Your next steps

Once your basics are a habit, these can take your routine further:

• Weekly masque (1 to 2 times a week): Clear Skin Probiotic Masque to calm and clarify, alternating with the Acne Advanced Clarifying Masque for a deeper clean. A dab of the clarifying masque also works as an overnight spot treatment.
• Evening serum: Eight Greens Youth Serum before moisturizer, to help calm and balance skin.
• Facial oil: 1 to 2 drops of Charcoal & Black Seed Clarifying Oil (oilier skin) or Facial Recovery Oil (drier or over-treated skin), pressed on after moisturizer.
• Want it all in one? The Acne Advanced 3-Step Treatment System bundles the cleanser, hydrator and clarifying masque together and saves you 20%.

Shop my full routine for breakout-prone skin in The Breakouts Edit.

Acne do's and don'ts

Do:

• Wash your face every night, especially after sports or wearing makeup.
• Wash your hands before touching your face.
• Change your pillowcase often, at least weekly.
• Wipe down your phone and anything else that touches your face.
• Calm angry spots with cold: hold an ice cube wrapped in a soft cloth on a red breakout for a minute or two to ease swelling.
• Look for salicylic acid, a gentle acne-fighter that helps clear out pores.
• Choose progressive over aggressive. Harsh scrubs and piling on products can make breakouts worse. Gentle and steady wins.
• Get your rest. Your skin repairs itself while you sleep.
• Be patient. Give a new routine at least 6 to 8 weeks.

Don't:

• Pick or squeeze. I know it's tempting, but it can lead to scarring and more inflammation.
• Touch your face more than you need to.
• Skip your routine, even when you don't see results right away. Consistency is everything.

Does food matter?

For some people, certain foods seem to make breakouts worse. Common ones include dairy (especially cheese and whey protein), sugary energy drinks with high doses of biotin or B12, and iodine-rich shellfish. Everyone is different, so rather than cutting foods out, just notice whether your skin reacts to anything in particular, and talk with your doctor before making big changes to what you eat.

For parents: how to help

• Keep it simple. Teens already juggle school, friends and sports. Two steps they'll actually do beat ten they won't.
• Lead by example. If they see you wash your face every night and wear SPF every day, they're far more likely to do the same.
• Make it fun. Do your routines side by side, try a family masque night, or turn it into a friendly 90-day face wash challenge.
• Check in, don't nag. Celebrate the wins, and be patient. Skin and habits don't change overnight.

When to see a professional

A licensed esthetician can be a game changer for choosing the right products and building a routine that fits. Book a consultation, in person at the shop in Salmon or virtually from anywhere. If breakouts are deep, painful, leaving scars, or affecting how you feel about yourself, it's also a great idea to see a dermatologist or your doctor. There are wonderful treatments available, and you don't have to figure it out alone.

Trust the journey

Dealing with breakouts can be tough, but you're not alone, and clearer skin is absolutely possible. Progress over perfection, always. There's no such thing as perfect skin. The goal is healthy skin you feel good in.

xo, Tiffanie, your esthetician