BE GOOD TO YOUR SKIN. YOU’LL WEAR IT EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Your skincare is growing up. Pimples always pop up. Oil always comes back. Real skin never looks filtered. Skin happens. But it’s just stuff we deal with, not the stuff that defines us. You’re defined by how you show up. By the face you show the world. That’s what we’re here to support—with skincare that helps you deal with the small stuff so you can put your best face forward.

Gen z acne due to surging hormones—characterized by painful cystic pimples, random whiteheads and a blackhead-dotted T-zone—is a common skincare issues between the ages of 12 and 24 years. Add stressful schoolwork, a lack of sleep, grab-and-go meals and an erratic schedule, and this can only be exacerbated. But skip the too-harsh scrubs and stripping spot treatments—this is also the time to play the long game and maintain a good skincare routine, a habit that'll keep you in good stead as you age. As a gen z, your skin is still going through hormonal changes, so it’s important to keep a simple but effective skincare routine. You should be aware of your type of skin and only use products which are personalized as per the type of skin.

The five things gen z have to do to keep their skin healthy and balanced is to cleanse, tone, exfoliate, moisturize and use a SPF. We have put a routine together.

• Treat—and understand—your acne

Acne, blackheads, and oily skin tops the list of gen z skin complaints. Hormonal surges lead to enlargement of the oil glands, making gen z skin oilier, which can lead to congested pores and blackheads. Acne is common during puberty when hormones go into overdrive, causing the skin to overproduce sebum. If you have breakouts, try this approach: Wash your skin, use a toner, and then apply a medicated acne gel. Picking or touching zits can cause scars that can last for years after, so taking a hands-off approach is important.

• Cleanse well

You may be experimenting with makeup, playing more sports and staying out till late, exposed to pollution and all of which can take a toll on your skin if you don't deep-cleanse it well. Cleansing thoroughly at night, or doubling down if you're getting super sweaty or dirty during the day too. Use a salicylic acid face cleanser that'll safely keep your skin exfoliated, and therefore, clear. After cleansing, a toner that suits your needs—hydrating for dry skin, or purifying for acne-prone skin is a good idea.

• Don't forget to moisturize

Even if your skin feels greasy, making sure you're using a moisturizer that works for you is important. Pick a non-comedogenic moisturizer that'll feel comfortable and light on the skin. Research shows blue light from electronic devices can lead to changes in your skin cells, including cell shrinkage and death. These speed up the aging process. Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes. Too much blue light could also lead to pigmentation. Ensure that your moisturizer has a blue light protector ingredient.

• Make SPF non-negotiable

The sooner you start adding sunscreen to your routine, the more likely you are to maintain better collagen levels as you age. This helps to prevent cumulative photo-damage too. You’re not too young to start a daily sun protection routine. After moisturizing, reach for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and apply as directed. Plus, hormonal changes can cause pigmentation, and a good SPF can help counteract that.

• Exfoliate weekly and avoid anti-ageing ingredients

We definitely don’t need skincare heavy hitters when we’re young, as most of them are meant to repair environmental and intrinsic damage, reanimate collagen and elastin production, and target specific areas like the eyes and neck. You want to skip doing too much too fast—it can irritate the skin, worsen acne and cause allergies from an early age. That often damages the skin barrier, which can just lead to more acne, inflammation, blotchiness and dryness. While there is skincare advice on every part of the internet, it is important to note (especially for gen z that may be getting theirs from social media) that finding the right routine can be individual, and what may work for everyone else may not work for you.