Spoiler: Yes, that toothpaste spot treatment counts.
Let’s face it—we all did questionable things to our skin in our teen years. Armed with nothing but YouTube hacks, myths from the school bathroom, and an unhealthy obsession with lemon juice, we went to battle with breakouts, blackheads, and the occasional imaginary pimple.
Fast forward a few years, and now we’re stuck dealing with the aftermath: sensitivity, scars, uneven skin tone, and skin that's just a bit confused. But don't worry—your skin is more forgiving than your teenage diary entries. Here's a breakdown of those classic mistakes and how to fix them like the grown-up skincare connoisseur you are today.
1. Over-Cleansing (aka Face-Washing Like Your Life Depended on It)
What We Did:
Washed our faces 3–5 times a day with the harshest, most stripping foam cleanser on the market. Because obviously, if your face squeaks, it must be clean… right?
The Damage:
Stripped skin barrier, irritation, and oil glands that panicked and went into overdrive.
The Fix:
Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser just twice a day. Look for soothing ingredients like glycerine or oat extract. And if your face isn't squeaking? That’s a good thing.
2. Using Toothpaste as Spot Treatment
What We Did:
Dabbed toothpaste onto breakouts like it was a secret miracle cure—because someone on MSN Messenger said it “dries them out overnight.”
The Damage:
Irritation, chemical burns, and a vague minty sting that still haunts us.
The Fix:
Use a proper blemish treatment with salicylic acid, niacinamide or benzoyl peroxide. Or try a calming serum that treats inflammation without turning your skin into a crisp.
3. Skipping Moisturiser Because “My Skin Is Oily”
What We Did:
Believed the myth that oily skin = no need for moisturiser. So we dried it out and waited to become poreless angels.
The Damage:
Dehydrated skin, increased oiliness, and more breakouts (oops).
The Fix:
Moisturise. Always. Choose lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas that hydrate without clogging. Your skin will balance itself out—and forgive you, eventually.
4. DIY Masks with Kitchen Ingredients
What We Did:
Lemon juice, baking soda, sugar scrubs, cinnamon, honey—our faces were basically salad bowls.
The Damage:
Burns, microtears, and skin that had no idea what it did to deserve this treatment.
The Fix:
Stick to professionally formulated products. Acids belong in skincare labs, not your fridge. Look for exfoliants with lactic, glycolic or salicylic acid in safe concentrations. Your skin is not a kitchen counter—please stop scrubbing it like one.
5. Using Body Scrub on Your Face (Yes, We’re Looking at You, Apricot Scrub)
What We Did:
Attacked breakouts with gritty, sandpaper-like scrubs. Felt satisfying, looked worse.
The Damage:
Inflamed skin, broken capillaries, acne scars—and regrets.
The Fix:
Swap physical scrubs for gentle chemical exfoliants 2–3 times a week. Trust us: your skin doesn’t need to be exfoliated like a potato. Be kind.
6. Sleeping in Makeup Like It Was NBD
What We Did:
Snoozed in full face glam after parties, nights out, or let’s be honest—just because we couldn’t be bothered.
The Damage:
Clogged pores, dullness, and breakouts that would say "good morning" before you even brushed your teeth.
The Fix:
Double cleanse at night. Even if you’re tired. Even if you're in bed. Even if you're emotionally attached to your eyeliner. Micellar water doesn't count as a full cleanse. Your future skin will thank you (and maybe even glow in return).
The Bottom Line
Teenage skincare was a wild ride. But the good news? Skin is incredibly resilient. With the right habits, ingredients, and a bit of patience, you can undo the damage and give your skin the love it always deserved (minus the lemon juice this time).
It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. So forgive your teenage self, retire the DIY scrubs, and start fresh. Your skin’s glow-up arc is just getting started.
