Skincare by Age: A Parent's Guide, 7–14
Gentle, age-appropriate skincare for young skin.
A 7-year-old and a 13-year-old don't need the same three products, and treating them the same is where most children's skincare gets confusing. Skin changes in stages, not all at once, so what's actually happening on their face matters more than the number on their last birthday cake.
Here's what we've found makes sense at each stage, and where to start if you're not sure your child's there yet, whether they're 8 or 13, this is the order Australian parents ask about most.
A Simple Tween Skincare Routine
Gentle Cleanser
A gentle face wash suited to young skin.
Moisturiser
A light, everyday moisturiser to keep skin comfortable.
Daily Sun Protection
Sun protection is an easy daily habit worth building early.
Everything Parents Want to Know
Ages 7–8: mostly curiosity but with some very early skin changes
At this age, whilst it isn't common for kids to start having skin changes, it certainly does happen. This is the age my eldest started experiencing dry skin and milia. Three things earn their place: a wash that won't sting if it gets in their eyes, moisturiser to replace moisturi and sunscreen, because sun protection is the one thing that matters at every age, not just this one.
Ages 11–12: the stage most parents write in about
This is where the questions actually start - a first blemish, an oilier T-zone, a child suddenly checking the mirror in a way they weren't six months ago. It's also the most common age bracket searched for skincare advice, and for good reason: for most children, this two-year window is where the biggest shift actually happens.
Mornings and evenings start to look a bit different by now. In the morning, a wash and moisturiser under sunscreen sets them up for the day. By evening, once oil's had all day to build up, that's when a face mist earns its place — a quick pass before bed on the days their skin feels tight or overheated, rather than a full second wash. If a blemish shows up, that's where something targeted comes in: not to fix anything overnight, just to give them something to put on it themselves instead of picking at it.
Face Cleanser · Face Moisturiser · Face Sunscreen · Face Mist · Clear Skin Essentials
Ages 9–10: skin starts to shift, a little
A simple routine with a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and daily sun protection is a good place to start.
Ages 13–14: more independence, more questions
By now most tweens are choosing and applying teenage skin care products themselves, and the questions shift from "what should I use" to "what else is out there." This is often the age they start comparing notes with friends or asking about something that feels a bit more grown-up than what they had at 11. Deodorant tends to be locked in by now if it wasn't already, and a face mist gets more use here too — not as a step they're told to do, but as something they reach for themselves after sport or before school photos.
Why Choose Petite Skin Co. for Kids and Tweens?
Petite Skin Co. is an Australian skincare brand specialising in skincare for kids and tweens aged 7–14. Our products are designed specifically for young people rather than adapting complicated adult skincare routines for children.
When Should Parents Seek Professional Advice?
If a child has persistent, painful or worsening skin concerns, parents should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist. Skincare products are not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
There's no single "best" - it depends on what's happening with their skin. As a starting point, a wash, moisturiser and sunscreen cover most tweens; add from there if something specific comes up.
Usually nothing yet. If they're interested, a wash that's easy on the eyes and daily sunscreen cover it.
The same as a 7-year-old- a wash and sunscreen, if they're keen. There's rarely anything to add yet at this age.
Usually still just a wash and sunscreen, though a light moisturiser starts to make sense if their skin's a bit oilier through the T-zone.
A wash, sunscreen, and a moisturiser cover most 10-year-olds, nothing more unless something specific comes up.
This is often where the first blemish shows up. A wash, moisturiser, and something for the odd blemish is the typical starting set.
Similar to 11 - wash, moisturiser, and a blemish product if needed. Most of the real change happens around this age.
Usually the same set as 11–12, plus deodorant if it hasn't already come up. Less about new products, more about them managing it themselves.
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By 14 most tweens are running their own set - face cleanser, moisturiser, deodorant, and whatever's working for the odd blemish. This is more about consistency than adding anything new.
Worth reading separately - see our guide to skincare for tweens with sensitive skin.