Do face scrubs make teen acne worse? Why gentler care works better

We’ve had repeated queries from parents asking whether facial scrubs help or harm teenage breakouts.

It’s an understandable question. When teens break out, the instinct is often to "clean" the skin more thoroughly and remove whatever must be causing the problem. A lot of teens resort to scrubs, coarse textured sponges or facial cleansers. Unfortunately, this approach usually does the opposite.

For acne-prone teen skin, scrubbing makes breakouts worse, not better.

Breakout-prone skin does not need force. It needs support.

Teen skin that is breaking out is already under stress.

Acne is not simply surface dirt. Breakouts involve excess oil, sensitivity, and a weakened skin barrier, alongside inflammatory processes occurring below the surface of the skin (Zaenglein et al., 2016). When physical scrubs or aggressive exfoliation are added, further stress is placed on skin that is already struggling to remain balanced.

This often results in increased redness, irritation, and discomfort, creating conditions where breakouts persist rather than settle.

Scrubbing damages the skin barrier

The skin barrier plays a critical role in keeping moisture in and irritants out. In teenagers, this barrier is still developing and is more easily disrupted than in adult skin (Elias, 2008).

Scrubbing can:

• Cause micro-damage to the skin surface

• Increase transepidermal water loss

• Trigger redness and sensitivity

• Leave skin reactive and prone to excess oil production

Once the barrier is compromised, the skin’s ability to regulate oil and hydration is reduced, which directly undermines breakout recovery and may perpetuate ongoing breakouts (Elias, 2008).

Face scrubs can make acne worse by spreading bacteria and delaying healing

Active blemishes are sensitive to further damage and deserve gentle care.

Scrubbing across inflamed spots can rupture them and mechanically spread bacteria to surrounding areas of the skin. This is why parents often notice that breakouts appear to worsen or spread after scrubbing.

Mechanical irritation has also been shown to delay skin recovery and increase the risk of post-breakout marks, particularly in sensitive or acne-prone skin (Zaenglein et al., 2016).

Scrubbing disrupts the skin microbiome

Healthy teen skin depends on a balanced skin microbiome, the diverse community of microorganisms that support barrier function, oil balance, and skin comfort (Dreno et al., 2018).

Scrubbing removes not only oil and dead skin cells, but also beneficial microbes that play a role in regulating skin responses. Disruption of the microbiome has been associated with increased skin reactivity and prolonged breakout cycles (Dreno et al., 2018).

Teen skin does not need to be sterilised. It needs to be supported and nourished so beneficial bacteria can thrive.

Scrubs can be harmful to the environment

Many facial scrubs still contain plastic microbeads or synthetic exfoliating particles. These particles are not fully removed during wastewater treatment and can enter aquatic ecosystems, where they persist and are ingested by marine life (UNEP, 2015).

Choosing gentler skincare routines is therefore not only better for teen skin, but also more environmentally responsible.

If face scrubs make acne worse, what is a better approach?

Clearer teen skin comes from consistency, not abrasion.

Upenya is built around a simple, supportive 3-step routine designed to respect teen skin, support the microbiome, and help manage excess oil without stripping or stressing the skin.

If face scrubs make acne worse, what is a better alternative solution?

The Upenya approach.

Step 1: Mild exfoliation through gentle cleansing

Instead of harsh scrubs, Upenya’s Exfoliating Cleanser provides mild exfoliation using gentle fruit-derived acids combined with plant-based cleansing agents. This approach helps loosen dead skin cells and excess sebum without mechanical friction, reducing the risk of barrier disruption and irritation (Dreno et al., 2018).

The result is cleaner, smoother-feeling skin with improved oil balance, without the aggressive effects of physical exfoliation.

Step 2: Consistent moisturising and calming

Moisturising is essential for breakout-prone skin.

Upenya’s Moisturising Gel is formulated with niacinamide, a well-studied ingredient known to support the skin barrier, help regulate oil, and improve overall skin comfort (Boo, 2021). Botanical ingredients such as aloe, honeybush, and turmeric further support skin calmness and barrier resilience.

Maintaining adequate hydration helps prevent the skin from overproducing oil in response to dryness or irritation (Elias, 2008).

Step 3: Targeted Blemish Care

Target breakouts where they appear. Upenya’s Blemish Care uses salicylic acid in a targeted manner to help keep pores clear and support oil regulation, without unnecessarily irritating surrounding skin when used correctly (Zaenglein et al., 2016).

The takeaway for parents

Scrubbing feels active, but it actively works against healing breakout-prone teen skin. Calm skin heals. Gentle routines work. Supporting the skin barrier and microbiome matters.

By respecting teen skin and focusing on barrier support, microbiome balance, and consistency, the skin is given the best chance to recover, rebalance, and build long-term resilience.

References

Boo, Y.C. (2021). Nicotinamide (niacinamide) and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Dreno, B. et al. (2018). The skin microbiome in acne vulgaris. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Elias, P.M. (2008). Skin barrier function. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports.

Zaenglein, A.L. et al. (2016). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2015). Plastic microbeads in cosmetics.