The 6 myths about teen acne you need to stop believing.

Thanks to our brand partner, Thursday Plantation

Recently, my 11-year-old asked if she could start incorporating a serum into her skincare routine. 

A serum.

I told her to go double cleanse her room.

The sheer amount of (often conflicting) advice online is overwhelming — and so is the pressure on tweens and teens to feel confident, especially about their appearance.

While I'm still a hard no on the serum, I guess I'm a soft yes on doing whatever I can to help my skincare-curious tween feel confident and empowered.

That means helping her understand what actually works — and what doesn't — when it comes to looking after her skin.

And honestly? I wish someone had done the same for me. Because when I think back to my own skincare era, it was less "gentle and effective routine" and more "trial by fire".

So, in the spirit of helping the next generation dodge some very crusty mistakes, here are the biggest skincare myths.

Myth 1: Popping pimples helps them heal faster.

Spoiler: it doesn't. Squeezing pimples can lead to further inflammation and potential scarring.

That's where Thursday Plantation's new Patch Perfect Invisible Acne Control comes in. It's a triple-action pimple patch formulated with tea tree oil, salicylic acid and cica. The patch works to reduce redness and irritation, absorb impurities and cica soothes, heals and protects the skin from pimples.

The patch has an ultra-thin, breathable design that makes it barely visible — even under makeup. It's dermatologically tested and comes in small, medium and large sizes, so you've got options no matter what your tween or teen's skin decides to throw at them that day.

Myth 2: Only dirty skin gets pimples.

Apparently, acne isn't about poor hygiene — it's usually a gross soup of oil, dead skin cells, bacteria and hormones simmering below the surface. And over-washing or scrubbing can make things worse. 

So, no — your tween doesn't need to go at their face like its grout. A gentle cleanser twice a day is more than enough.

Myth 3: People with oily skin shouldn't use moisturiser.

It feels counterintuitive, but alas, we humans have a complicated system going on here.

Oily skin still needs hydration, otherwise, the skin overcompensates by producing even more oil — and there's only one place for it to go: your face.

Look for non-comedogenic moisturisers (translation for my fellow '80s babies: it won't block pores).

Myth 4: Makeup causes acne.

Only if you're still using that full-coverage sludge from 2006 and sleeping in it like it's a weighted blanket for your face.

Generally, makeup is fine — as long as it's labelled non-comedogenic and is properly removed. It's less about the makeup itself and more about good hygiene.

Let your tween experiment, but make sure they learn to remove it properly. Oh, and fun fact: apparently, wipes don't really count.

Myth 5: Acne is just a cosmetic issue.

This one stings — because acne isn't just about selfies. It can seriously affect a young person's confidence.

Just ask the guys you went to high school with. If they've done the work and embraced some self-reflection, they'll probably tell you how much it gutted their self-esteem.

There's a clear link between skin health and mental health challenges in young people — including shame and poor body image.

So no, it's not just about vanity. It's about visibility. And helping our kids feel seen — not stared at.

If your tween is feeling down about their skin, that's completely valid. It's worth checking in with a GP or psychologist if it's impacting their mood or social life.

Myth 6: Natural remedies are always better.

I once made a mud mask out of the dirt from my garden because a magazine told me to. Said magazine did not take into consideration the fact we had two cats who also used said garden (as their toilet).

Ahhh memories. 

Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it belongs on your kid's face. Stick with products that are tested, balanced and actually designed for skin.

Find Thursday Plantation's new Patch Perfect Invisible Acne Control at Chemist Warehouse.

Feature Image: Getty.

Introducing New Thursday Plantation Patch Perfect Invisible Acne Control – the pimple patch powered by Tea Tree Oil, Salicylic Acid and Cica. Dermatologically tested and ultra-thin, it absorbs pimples and whiteheads, reduces redness, and soothes irritated skin. Whether it's school photo day or a sleepover, this triple-action patch is your teen's go-to for fast, invisible support. Just cleanse, apply, and let it work – effective and no stress. Now available at Chemist Warehouse and leading pharmacies.