Young people increasingly look to influencers for skincare advice, fuelling unrealistic beauty standards and unhealthy routines, say dermatologists calling for simpler, evidence-based approaches to teenage skin care.
Social media is fuelling a growing obsession with “perfect” skin among teenagers, with many young people now looking to influencers for advice instead of trained dermatologists. The pressure to copy polished “get ready with me” routines and filter-enhanced faces has helped turn skincare into a status symbol, even though experts say most adolescents do not need complicated, multi-step regimens. According to dermatologists, the bigger problem is not how many products young people use, but the unrealistic images they are being asked to compare themselves with.
Dr Jonathan Kentley says one of the most worrying effects of social media is the steady stream of impossible beauty standards. He argues that the heavily edited, filter-smooth look seen online is not a realistic target and says features such as visible pores, blackheads, redness, scars, pigmentation and breakouts are all normal in teenage skin. Dr Zainab Laftah adds that acne affects more than four in five teenagers at some point during adolescence, making it one of the most common skin conditions in this age group.
Laftah says hormones are often the main driver, especially testosterone, which increases oil production and can clog pores. That can lead to blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed spots, she explains, and the condition is common, treatable and nothing to be ashamed of. She notes that salicylic acid can help some young people with oily or acne-prone skin because it works its way into blocked pores and helps clear out excess oil and dead skin cells. But she warns that too much use, or using it when it is not needed, can leave skin dry and irritated.
Kentley says teenagers with severe acne or another significant skin concern should speak to a GP or a dermatologist rather than trying to solve the problem through social media advice. He also points out that boys can face extra irritation from shaving, which can trigger folliculitis, a condition in which hair follicles become inflamed. If shaving is done badly, he says, it can damage the skin barrier and worsen redness and breakouts.
Dermatologists quoted in other recent coverage have made similar warnings about social media-driven skincare trends, from so-called glass skin routines to filter-based “Instagram face”. The American Academy of Dermatology has also cautioned that not every trend suits every skin type and that evidence-based advice from a qualified professional is safer than chasing viral fixes. In that context, the message from specialists is consistent: teenage skin usually needs simplicity, not perfection.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
