Teen Skin Care is Health Care
As parents, we know the struggle: how do you get your teenagers to care about health consequences that are decades away? When it comes to skincare, the message must shift from long-term prevention to immediate confidence and well-being.
I recently spoke with Dr. Angela Casey, a double board-certified dermatologist, micrographic dermatic surgeon, and, importantly, a mom of three teen and tween daughters. Dr. Casey founded Bright Girl Skincare with a mission to change the trajectory of skin cancer incidence—the number one cancer worldwide, yet one of the most preventable.
Her key insight is that getting teens and tweens to care about their skin isn't about scaring them; it's about meeting them where they are: the here and now.
The Secret to Teen Compliance: Immediate Positive Feedback
According to Dr. Casey, when a teen's treatment fails, it's rarely because the medication doesn't work—it's because they aren't using it consistently. The solution lies in making skincare feel good right away, creating a positive feedback loop for habit formation.
It Must Feel Good: Teens are highly discerning. They care deeply about the texture, absorbency, and especially the smell of a product. Products shouldn't be too harsh or irritating; they need to be enjoyable to use.
See Results Now: Consistency is driven by the moderate-term feedback. When a teen sees their skin getting clearer, redness fading, or fewer breakouts after a few weeks, that immediate, positive change reinforces the habit.
Sunscreen is King: Dr. Casey emphasizes that sunscreen is the single most important product. We have to find an over-the-top, exceptional sunscreen they love so much they crave using it every day. Her preference is for mineral-based sunscreen (SPF 30+), but the best sunscreen is always the one they are excited to use.
Self-Care is Healthcare: The Mental Health Connection
One of the most powerful insights Dr. Casey shared is how skincare links directly to mental health and confidence.
"SELF-CARE IS HEALTHCARE."
When you take the time every day to do something positive for yourself, like a simple skincare regimen, you are casting a "vote" for your own worth and confidence.
A Daily Signal: For teens, prioritizing personal hygiene and skincare sends a strong signal to their brain: "I matter. I am important enough to take care of."
The Freeze/Shutdown Link: This is the opposite of the "freeze or shutdown" phase associated with sadness or depression, where individuals often stop basic self-care. Completing a simple regimen becomes a daily act of self-respect.
Confidence Boost: Teenagers are highly sensitive to their appearance. If they are dealing with acne or inflammation, they feel like that is the only thing people see. Supporting them with healthy, clear skin is a massive confidence win that affects their entire day.
Conversation and Habit-Stacking Tips for Parents
As a well-being coach, I loved how Dr. Casey framed simple tips that lead to powerful habit creation:
Model the Behavior: Teens see what you do. When you put on your own sunscreen daily and wash your face nightly—even when tired—you normalize these healthy behaviors.
Keep it Simple and Consistent: Skincare doesn't need to be complicated. Dermatologists agree: the basics are best.
Evening: Gentle, pH-balanced cleanser + effective moisturizer. (Add topical acne medication if needed.)
Morning: Wash face (optional), moisturize, then sunscreen.
Choose the Right Time: Don't wait until 10:30 PM when they are exhausted. Encourage them to do their routine when they get home from school or practice, or when they shower—habit stacking the regimen when they still have the energy for it.
Put the Guard Rails On: The market is confusing and social media pushes harsh products (like the old Oxy 10 or abrasive scrubs—the absolute worst things for teen skin!). It’s the parents’ job to guide them toward clean, nourishing, and supportive ingredients. Give them agency over which safe products they use, but make sure the available options are healthy.
Find the Products and Get Started
Dr. Casey formulated Bright Girl Skincare to take the guesswork out for moms, ensuring products are clean, pH-balanced, and contain nourishing botanicals like ashwagandha and turmeric to soothe inflammation. They even include products that are beloved by teen boys!
You can find Dr. Casey and Bright Girl Skincare here:
Website: brightgirl.com
Instagram/TikTok: @BrightgirlBeauty and @AngelaCaseymd
Dr. Casey has generously offered a discount code for the Positively Healthy Mom community: Use code POSITIVELY20 for 20% off your entire order at brightgirl.com.
