The Only Skincare Routine Most Kids Actually Need

The Only Skincare Routine Most Kids Actually Need

If I could sit down with every parent for just a few minutes, this is the conversation I would want to have.

Your child’s skin does not need to be managed. It does not need to be corrected. And it certainly does not need a routine that looks anything like an adult’s.

What children’s skin needs most is to be left alone — thoughtfully, intentionally, and with care.

Somewhere along the way, skincare became synonymous with products. But for kids, skincare is really about habits, boundaries, and protection. When those are in place, skin usually takes care of itself remarkably well.

I often reassure parents who worry they’re not “doing enough” that healthy skin in childhood is not built through steps — it’s built through consistency and restraint.

For most kids, cleansing should be simple and purposeful. Skin only needs to be washed when it’s actually dirty — after sports, sunscreen, sweat, or visible grime. Overwashing can be just as disruptive as not washing at all. A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser used once a day, usually in the evening, is more than sufficient.

Moisturizer is not a daily requirement for every child. Some kids need it, some don’t.

When skin feels tight, itchy, or visibly dry, a simple moisturizer can be helpful. When skin feels comfortable on its own, adding products “just because” often creates problems that weren’t there to begin with.

Sunscreen, however, is non-negotiable.

This is the one step I encourage parents to normalize early — not as skincare, but as health. Sun protection protects the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, and prevents damage that accumulates quietly over time. Teaching kids to apply sunscreen is less about appearance and more about self-care.

And then there are all the things kids don’t need.

They don’t need scrubs. They don’t need exfoliating acids. They don’t need masks, serums, toners, or devices. They don’t need products designed to “control oil” or “prevent aging.”

Even when skin changes begin later — oiliness, early breakouts, or texture shifts — the answer is rarely to add more products. It’s usually to simplify, slow down, and give the skin space to regulate itself.

One of the most important parts of a child’s skincare routine isn’t something you buy. It’s what you model.

When kids see skincare as something calm and neutral — a way to care for the body, not fix it — they grow up with a healthier relationship to their skin. When skincare becomes obsessive or corrective too early, it can quietly teach children that their natural appearance needs improvement.

That’s not a message I believe in.

I want children to grow up trusting their bodies. I want them to learn that skin can change, heal, and adapt — and that not every change needs intervention.

If a child develops ongoing irritation, eczema, or acne that affects their comfort or confidence, that’s the moment to seek professional guidance. But until then, the simplest routine is often the most protective one.

Clean skin.Protected skin.Respected skin.

That is the routine most kids actually need.

May your child grow up comfortable in their skin — and confident because of it.

~ Dr. Lazuk

CEO & Co-Founder

Dr. Lazuk Esthetics® Cosmetics®

Entertainment-only medical disclaimer

This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Individual skin needs vary and should be evaluated by a licensed professional.

How would you describe your child’s current skincare routine?

• 0%Just soap and water
• 0%Cleanser + sunscreen
• 0%Cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen
• 0%Too many products already

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