Q&A with a professional dermatologist
Hear from board-certified dermatologist Clara-Dina Cokonis, MD. Dr. Cokonis was asked a multitude of questions that we hope will provide a deeper insight to help you make unbiased and informed skin decisions.
What is the most common mistake teenagers make when treating acne?
“Everyone makes mistakes, but the most common mistakes I see is not following the directions and not using the treatment long enough. Some people over use the products while others don’t use them enough.”
How can parents help teenagers develop healthy skincare habits?
“Parents can help teenagers by encouraging healthy habits such as skin care routines, bedtime routines, exercise routines and making sure healthy foods are available.”
What are the early signs that a teen’s skin issue might need professional treatment instead of over-the-counter products?
“Teens should seek medical advice when they are using over the counter products correctly and the teen is not happy with the way they look.
With regard to acne, I feel that a teen should seek medical advice as soon as possible if there is evidence of permanent scaring.”
What misconceptions about skincare do you see most often being spread online?
“Some common skin care misconceptions are:
Natural ingredients are better (Poison ivy is natural, but its not good for you)
Sunscreen should only be used on sunny days (wearing sunscreen daily decreases your risk of skin cancer and signs of aging)
Expensive products are better (just not true)”
How do edited or filtered photos affect teenagers’ self-esteem and skincare choices?
“Edited photos definitely affect teenagers self esteem negatively and can falsely advertise products causing teens to make unnecessary purchases.”
How can teenagers learn to tell the difference between good skincare advice and marketing hype online?
“This can be tricky. Teens should try to avoid trends and influencers. They should seek advice from board board-certified dermatologist or their pediatrician. They should also use trusted websites such as the American Academy of Dermatology website: www.AAD.org”
What message would you want to give teenagers who feel pressured to have “perfect” skin because of what they see online?
“Nobody is “perfect”. Most images are photoshopped.
Remember, there will always be someone with better skin than you, and someone with worse skin. Someone prettier than you, and someone uglier. Someone with better grades, and someone with worse grades. Someone richer, and someone poorer. Someone more popular and someone less. So, just be happy and proud of who you are!”
Cokonis, Clara Dina. Skin Care for Teans. Nov. 2025.
What are the most common skin concerns you see in teenagers today?
“Acne. 90% of teens have acne, making it a normal part of growing up.”
What basic skincare routine do you recommend for teenagers with normal skin?
“Wash your face twice a day with a gentle soap or cleanser.”
Are there certain ingredients teenagers should avoid in skincare products?
“Most teens should avoid products that are not labeled “non-comedogenic”, “won’t clog pores”, “won’t cause acne”. If they are not labeled that they won’t cause acne, there is a high likelihood that they do cause acne.”
How do you approach treating sensitive skin or skin damaged by harsh skincare trends among teens?
“Patients with sensitive skin or have damage due to harsh skincare products should stop that product(s) causing irritation immediately.
They should wash their face with something gentle such as Vanicream soap or cleanser at least once daily and use vaseline to moisturize their skin until it has healed. Some patients also need prescription medications to treat their skin further.
Depending on the product that caused the sensitivity, they may or may not be able to reintroduce that product in the future.”
How do you think social media platforms influence the way teenagers view their skin and appearance?
“Historically media including TV, radio, newspapers, magazines and social media have influenced the way people feel about themselves. This includes their skin, their weight, their finances, and their social life.”
Do you think beauty influencers and skincare trends on TikTok or Instagram are helping or harming teens’ skin health?
“I’m not up to date on what all the influencer’s trends are. But, I do recommend that everyone be careful of what their sources are. If something sounds to good to be true, it probably is.”
How can the media be used in a positive way to educate teens about real skin health?
“I would love the media to help boost teens self-esteem by showing people with more realistic appearances and guide teens to reliable sources.”
How do hormonal changes during puberty affect a teenager’s skin?
“During puberty, testosterone levels increase in both girls and boys. In turn, this increases oil (sebum) production which is one of the major factors in causing acne.”
How can overuse of skincare products negatively affect teenage skin?
“Overuse of skincare products that you do not need or using too much of a product that you do need can lead to many negative effects and depends on the product overused. Some common effects are dryness, irritation, allergic reactions, oiliness, and just not looking your best.”
How does diet and lifestyle influence teenage acne and other skin conditions?
“Diet and lifestyle affects teens skin in many ways.
Not getting enough sleep, not eating the right foods and not exercising puts stress on your mind and body including your skin.
I recommend that all my patients get their beauty sleep :) Yes you will look better, but even more importantly you will feel better.
Nourish your body with the right foods.
Reduce stress, energize your mind and get stronger by exercising on a regular basis.
There is so much we are still learning about diet and the skin. Many studies on diet and food are conflicting or just not done well, so we have many unknown answers. Some people, but not all will break out more with eating chocolate, caffeine, sugary food, low fat dairy products, processed foods and greasy food. Bottom line is if you notice something is making you break out more, try to avoid it.
Studies show that omega-3’s (from fish or taking supplements) helps acne. Other things to eat that may help acne are fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, and yogurt.
Maintaining a healthy weight (not too much and not too little) is important for your skin.
Being overweight can lead to acne, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, skin tags, and other conditions.
Being underweight leads to thin dry skin, weak nails, and hair loss.”
What are your thoughts on the rise of “anti-aging” products being marketed to teenagers?
“I do not recommend teen use anti-aging products with the exception of acne medications and sunscreen.
Many acne medications are also anti-aging. So, teens do not need to buy expensive trending anti-aging products. Acne medications such as over the counter glycolic acid and adapalene (Differin), will help treat acne, help fade marks left behind from acne, and treat fine lines and wrinkles. Wearing sunscreen daily is the best defense for aging. It will also help fade marks left behind from acne.”