For beginner beauty lovers looking to start a skincare routine, the formula is simple: less is more.
Our Beauty Advisors have been trained to provide product recommendations for all shoppers based on various considerations, such as skin type, skin concerns, and/or goals. As a best practice for younger shoppers, we recommend consulting a dermatologist to determine if specific products or ingredients are appropriate based on their unique concerns.
Our skincare resource for Tweens and Teens serves as a complementary educational resource for younger shoppers and their parents looking to find effective products and establish healthy habits. Supporting younger shoppers as they make age-appropriate product selections is a joint effort between parents/legal guardians, the brand community, and Sephora, but it does not replace consumer responsibility or age-appropriate dermatological guidance. Sephora sells a wide range of over-the-counter prestige skincare products with various benefits and product features. Always consult the brand and product packaging to learn more about the ingredients, application best practices and warnings.
Sephora Beauty Advisors are here to support your skincare journey with product recommendations and general skincare routine guidance. Starting small helps you build healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Start with Supervision: We always recommend using skincare under a parent or guardian’s supervision.
Less is More: Don’t overload younger skin with serums or high-concentration actives.
Patch Test New Products: Try a small amount first to check for sensitivity.
Stick With It: Healthy skin is a journey, not an overnight fix.
Everyone, regardless of age or skin type, can benefit from a simple routine that involves a gentle cleanser to remove everyday residue, a moisturizer to prevent dryness, and sunscreen to protect skin from UV rays.
Q: Should teens use retinol? A: For most teens, a gentle cleanser, hydration, and SPF is all they need. To understand what type of products are best for you and your personal goals, consult with a Sephora Beauty Advisor, in-store or online, or a dermatologist. While retinol can be very helpful for some teens struggling with acne, it can also be too strong for younger skin. We recommend consulting with a dermatologist to determine the best approach.
Q: What does a good teen skincare routine look like? A: Use the Less is More routine:
Cleanser (morning & night)
Moisturizer (after cleansing)
Sunscreen (daily)
Q: Are your products safe for tweens? A: All the brands and products at Sephora are over-the-counter items. We offer a wide variety of products that are gentle and fragrance-free but always check the label and consult one of our Beauty Advisors, who are accessible both in-store and online. We recommend that younger shoppers stick to a basic skincare routine and always with adult supervision.
Some skincare ingredients, such as Retinoids, Vitamin C, AHA (i.e. glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, citric acid), BHA (salicylic acid), and Peptides, may not be necessary or appropriate for younger skin. If you have any questions, please be sure to consult with a dermatologist.
Q: Isn’t skincare for older people? A: Skincare isn’t about age; it’s about taking steps to ensure your skin is clean, healthy and protected. Taking small steps early (like using SPF and moisturizer) can establish a healthy regimen.
Q: Where can I learn more? A: Chat with Beauty Advisors, in-store or online and consult our online skincare guides to determine what’s right for you. If you have any questions, please be sure to consult with a dermatologist.
Q: What qualifies as a high concentration of an active ingredient? A: The “concentration” of a product refers to the amount of the ingredient in a product, relative to the other ingredients. What qualifies as a high concentration varies from one ingredient to the next. All products sold at Sephora are over-the-counter items. To understand what type of product concentration is best for you and your personal goals, consult a Beauty Advisor, in-store or online, or a dermatologist.
Q: Should tweens and teens avoid all products with high concentrations of ingredients? A: In targeting certain skincare concerns, like acne, utilizing products with higher concentrations of certain ingredients, like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, can be helpful. All products sold at Sephora are over the counter. To understand what type of product is best for you and your personal goals, consult a Beauty Advisor, in-store or online, or a dermatologist. Some skincare ingredients, such as Retinoids, Vitamin C, AHA (i.e. glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, citric acid), BHA (salicylic acid), and Peptides, may not be necessary or appropriate for younger skin. If you have any questions, please be sure to consult with a dermatologist.