Dermatologists and pediatricians agree that tween skin is probably the best skin we will ever have in our lives. Depressing? Yes, but there is a way to extend the best skin period. When children are babies, we smother them with a barrage of baby products to soothe, moisturize, and protect their baby skin. Then when they become tweens and start taking care of themselves, there aren’t any products made for them to soothe, moisturize and protect their skin and hair.

Medical professionals agree that while makeup for this age group could be damaging to their skin, using age-appropriate formulas in facial beauty products could help to build good hygiene habits. Products with gentle formulas that cleanse, moisturize and protect skin are a positive start to a life-long habit of good hygiene and good healthy skin.

Whatever age girls start puberty, it is never too early to get them started on good hygiene. Regular daily cleansing in the morning, at night, and after sports or activities is a positive way to build healthy skin habits. Limiting products to the simple basics: cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting skin from sun damage is a good way to start. Avoid products that stress beauty or cover-ups at this early age, and encourage a focus on healthy, natural-looking skin.

Health professionals agree: the key to a healthy understanding of facial beauty products is education and proper use of limited products. Formulas should be gentle, and ideally--formulated for young skin. Young skin should not be exposed to harsh, drying cleansers, which prematurely dry and unbalance skin. That is the reason why teen and adult beauty products are potentially damaging to tween skin. Building the habit of good skin care can help alleviate acne problems—just by keeping skin clean and healthy. While aging is not a consideration at this stage of life, establishing good skin care habits in the tween years can protect young skin from future skin damage, such as red marks, acne scars, dark spots and uneven skin tones.

Since most skin damage happens before the age of seventeen, girls who start good skin care now are ensuring healthier skin for their future.