Why Kids Get Acne and How to Treat It

Acne can be common for tweens between 7 and 12 years old. Fortunately, early treatment can help keep your child's acne from getting worse as they enter adolescence.

This article covers some things you can do to keep your child's skin healthy. It also goes over how to treat mild breakouts before they get worse.

Why Do Kids Get Pimples?

Acne usually starts when children reach puberty. Some kids show early signs of acne as soon as age 7.

Acne in children between the ages of 7 and 12 is called preadolescent acne. It is often the first sign of puberty and is common in this age group. According to some research, preadolescent acne may be around 1.6 times more common in girls than in boys. The prevalence increases with age.

Preadolescent acne happens when there is an increase in hormones and the production of sebum, an oily substance that can cause acne. Girls who have severe preadolescent acne may get their periods sooner than their peers.

Preadolescent acne may also be worse in hot weather, though this is still controversial.

Know the First Signs of Acne

While you don't want to fixate on your child's appearance, keeping an eye out for these first signs of acne will help you know when it's time to act.

Look for small blackheads and red bumps (papules) on your child's skin. Acne tends to start on the nose, so pay particular attention to this part of your child's face.

There are many kinds of pimples but they all start as a blocked pore (comedo) that is not red or swollen. When the spot gets infected with bacteria, it will become inflamed. An inflamed pimple is red, swollen, and painful.

As acne gets worse, it can spread to the forehead, cheeks, and chin. Your goal is to catch your child's breakouts before they start to spread.

Teach Your Tween Good Skincare Habits

It's important to make good skincare a habit before your child enters their teen years. Kids should begin washing their faces every night at around age 9. Have them use warm water and a mild soap like Dove or Neutrogena. Daily washing is often enough to handle mild pore blockages.

If your child has inflamed pimples, have them use a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid cleanser once or twice a day. If cleansers dry out your child's face, have them use a moisturizer after washing. Be sure to choose a moisturizer that is oil-free and fragrance-free.

Your child's skin is sensitive, so choose gentle products. Harsh products can cause more skin irritation. Make sure you discourage scrubbing—it won't clear acne, but it can irritate the skin.

Use Mild Acne Treatment Creams

If your child's acne is inflamed and is not getting better with medicated cleansers, try benzoyl peroxide cream. It's a very successful acne treatment that works by killing bacteria that cause inflammation. Look for a benzoyl peroxide cream with 5% strength.

Benzoyl peroxide can be purchased over the counter (OTC). You'll find it in the skincare aisle of the pharmacy or grocery store.

Have your tween apply a thin layer of benzoyl peroxide cream on all affected areas of skin once or twice a day after they've cleansed. Watch for redness, irritation, or excessive dryness. If these side effects occur, have them scale back their use to every other day.

Have a Hands-off Policy

It's important that your child does not pick at or "pop" pimples. Picking or popping can force infected material deeper into the skin and make a blemish worse.

Tweens may find it hard to stop picking at their acne. You'll need to gently remind them to keep their hands away from their face.

Explain that popping pimples can make them redder and easier to see. Popping and picking can also cause more breakouts.

Get Help From an Expert

If your child's acne isn't improving with home treatment or if it is negatively affecting their mental well-being, it's time to see a dermatologist. Ask your child's primary care provider or pediatrician for a referral, if needed.

Don't wait to reach out for more help. The sooner acne is treated, the better. A dermatologist can create an acne treatment plan for your child.

Summary

It's common for tweens to get acne, but it's easier to treat in the early stages.

Have your child use a mild cleanser nightly. For inflamed acne, a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may help. Acne cream can also be used to treat persistent acne.

Teach your tween not to touch their face or pick at acne. This can make breakouts worse and could lead to infection.

If your child's acne doesn't improve with home treatment, a dermatologist can be a helpful resource in terms of recommending stronger treatment.