How to Be Naturally Beautiful As a Teen Girl

Co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: November 8, 2022 References Approved

Your teenage years can be hard! While you're probably learning how to use makeup and dealing with acne, it might seem like everyone else has flawless skin and perfectly done makeup. Go easy on yourself and develop your own natural beauty. If you take care of your hair and skin, you'll find that your inner beauty has a chance to shine.

1

Wash your face twice a day.

Keeping your skin clean gives you a healthy, fresh-faced look.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Put your best face forward every day! Massage a gentle cleanser that works with your skin type on your face in the morning. This removes oil and dead skin.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Then, rinse your face with cool water and pat it dry.
- Choose non-comedogenic products that won't clog your pores and cause acne.^{[3]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Look for skincare products designed to meet your skincare needs. Your skin type might be sensitive, dry, oily, or normal, for instance.^{[4]
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  Research source}

2

Moisturize your skin when your skin is damp.

Moisturizer plumps and hydrates your skin.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} If your skin dries out, it can look red or flaky. Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to your skin right after you wash it to lock in moisture.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Go for a fragrance-free moisturizer if you've got sensitive skin.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- For an extra-moisturizing product, choose a moisturizing cream instead of a lotion.^{[8]
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  Research source}

3

Use sunscreen every day.

Protect your skin from sun damage with SPF 15. Your teenage years are the time to start lifelong beauty habits and these start with your skin!^{[9]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Apply non-comedogenic sunscreen after moisturizer and before makeup to prevent dryness, freckles, and other sun-related damage.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Sometimes, hormones that change when you're a teenager can make your skin look patchy or pigmented. Sunscreen can help prevent this pigmentation.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}

4

Apply acne products if you've got pimples.

Products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can clear up blemishes.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Skin problems are an unfortunate part of being a teenager. As your hormones change, your skin produces more oil, which can then get trapped in your pores leading to pimples. To get clear, healthy-looking skin, apply an acne spot treatment once a day and use cleansers that are formulated to kill bacteria that cause acne.^{[14]
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- If you're really struggling with acne, talk with a dermatologist. Sometimes, you may need a stronger skincare product or they might recommend medication to control the cause of your acne.

5

Cover blemishes with concealer.

Green color corrector and a touch of concealer can disguise pimples. When you're a teen, pimples are pretty much inevitable. Fortunately, with a few makeup products, you can easily hide them. A dab of green color corrector can cover up red, irritated skin and blemishes.^{[15]
X
Research source} You can also use a reddish-orange color corrector to cover older, brown acne scars.^{[16]
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Research source} Then, rub a tinted complexion corrector or beauty balm over your entire face to give it a glowy, healthy look.
- Skip heavy products like liquid foundation. These can crease and cake throughout the day.
- Sleeping in your makeup is a big no-no! Make a habit of washing the makeup off of your face before you go to bed to prevent future breakouts.^{[17]
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6

Wear makeup to enhance your natural features.

A little mascara and blush can emphasize your favorite features. Don't feel like you have to wear makeup every day to change the way you look. Use makeup to play up the features you like! A few swipes of mascara or curling your eyelashes can bring out the beauty of your eyes, for instance. A little cream or powder blush can add a touch of color to your cheeks for a healthy glow.
- The point of makeup is to emphasize your favorite features so you feel great about yourself. You don't need to cover your entire face with tons of makeup to look beautiful!^{[18]
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7

Try to smile more.

You don't need a lot of makeup when a smile can light up your face. Studies actually show that smiling women are seen as more attractive.^{[19]
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Research source} Smiling is also a great way to nurture a positive attitude. It's hard to be upset with a smile on your face.
- Are you self-conscious about your smile? Practice smiling and remind yourself that you have a beautiful smile.

8

Whiten your teeth.

Give your smile a makeover with whitening strips. If you feel self-conscious about your teeth, you may not be giving your biggest, best smiles. To feel more confident, use home whitening strips that you apply to your teeth once a day. After a week or two, you should notice a brighter smile, so show it off!^{[20]
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- To keep your teeth looking their whitest, buy a whitening toothpaste to use, too.^{[21]
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9

Keep your nails groomed.

Show off healthy nails with a pop of nail polish color. Nails are a great way to express yourself—you can experiment with fun colors or match your nails to special outfits. Start with healthy nails that you've trimmed and buffed. Then, apply fun nail color. There are lots of nail polishes with unique textures so play around to find what you like.
- If you're not a fan of nail polish, it's totally fine! Skip the colors and keep your nails in top form by shaping and buffing them regularly.

10

Keep your hair clean and styled.

Brighten your entire look by washing your hair before it gets greasy. While it might be tempting to pull your hair back into a ponytail when it needs a wash, just take a few minutes and shampoo it. Then, blow dry it or let it air dry if you're a wash-and-go kind of girl. You'll feel more confident with a great hair day and it will show!^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- To protect your hair from damage, brush it gently to detangle it.^{[23]
  X
  Research source} Try to avoid heat damage—don't use the blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron every day.^{[24]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}

11

Eat a healthy diet that nourishes your body.

Enjoy nutritious food instead of trying extreme calorie-cutting diets. Eat a diet that's got fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good sources of protein. If you notice that fatty foods or sugar make your skin look dull or oily, cut them out of your diet. Your skin will thank you!^{[25]
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- If you feel like it's hard to eat healthily, block out an hour each week where you prep healthy snacks or lunches to take to school. This way, you won't be tempted to grab junk food or unhealthy options from the vending machine.

12

Stay hydrated throughout the day.

Drink at least 8 glasses of water. This can help clear up acne and make your skin look radiant. Skip carbonated energy drinks or sodas that are full of caffeine and sugar.^{[26]
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Research source}^{[27]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- Tired of drinking plain water? Reach for a can of unsweetened seltzer water. These come in a ton of tasty flavors.^{[28]
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13

Be comfortable with your weight.

Remember that beauty doesn't come in a single shape or size. If you spend lots of time on the scale or in front of the mirror, you may make yourself miserable. Instead of obsessing over your physical appearance, look at yourself and think about what you like about your body.^{[29]
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- For example, if you've got curves, embrace them! Don't try to hide or change the unique body that you have or you'll just make yourself miserable.

14

Improve your posture.

Project self-confidence as you stand tall. If you're hunched over with your head bent low, people won't be able to see you well. To let your natural beauty show, sit up straight with your head held high. When you walk, keep your shoulders back and stand tall. Be proud of the beautiful person you are!^{[30]
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- If you've got bad posture habits, it can take a while to break them, but keep trying. It should get easier over time.

15

Do activities that you love.

You'll look beautiful doing things that you're passionate about. Think about the things you love to do—it might be going for a run, listening to music with friends, or playing a sport. You're probably excited and enjoying yourself and it will show. Since natural beauty comes from within, do things that make you feel happy and joyful on the inside.
- Don't be afraid to express yourself. If you love to sing, for instance, let your voice be heard.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you take care of oily skin?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Use something that has retinol or retinoid in it. Retinoids are topical vitamin A medications and they're the most effective topical to reduce sebum, which is the extra oil production in the skin. Retinoids affect all of the receptors in the skin in a positive way to normalize them. So if you are oily and you're not using a retinoid, then that's the first thing you should do. Number two, using over-the-counter alpha-hydroxy acids in washes or topicals can be great because they're not too irritating.
Question

How do I get rid of my acne?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

If your pimples are red, you want to reduce inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide spot treatment will help. Oral antibiotics can help if it’s really bad. Accutane can also help if it’s really bad. Make sure you're not over-exfoliating since it can cause more irritation and redness.
Question

Why is it important to moisturize your skin?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Moisturizer improves your skin's appearance by plumping and hydrating it. Apply moisturizer daily to maintain healthy skin.