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Most commonly asked questions re: teenage skincare. Being a skincare company, specialising in products for teenagers, we get quite a lot of emails from concerned parents asking how they can help their boys with acne breakouts, body odour, et cetera. This month, we have compiled our most frequently asked questions and, of course, our replies. What exactly are pimples and why is my teenager getting them? Without going into too much of a biology lesson, basically the skin contains sebaceous glands that naturally release sebum, an oily substance that helps protect skin. During puberty, changes in levels of the hormone testosterone can cause changes in the sebum produced which can then block hair follicles. When dead skin cells and bacteria mix with the blockage, it can lead to the formation of spots. Bacteria in the skin multiply, which can cause pain and inflammation beneath the blockages. The types of spots include blackheads (small, blocked pores), whiteheads (small, hard bumps with a white centre), Pustules (spots with a lot of pus sitting just under the skin) and nodules (hard, painful lumps under the skin).  What are some foods that can help with preventing breakouts? Which foods should we avoid? There are many foods that are thought to be beneficial for the skin because they reduce inflammation. These food are rich in zinc, vitamins A and E and antioxidants. Foods such as carrots, apricots, sweet potatoes, spinach and other dark green and leafy vegetables, blueberries, brown rice, quinoa, beans, peas, and lentils as well as oily fish like salmon and mackerel are great for helping to keep not only the inside of your body healthy but give your skin a helping hand in avoiding breakouts. Foods to avoid include sugar, sugary drinks and all processed foods. Whole natural foods are the best for your skin and your health in general. What age should I start my son on a skin care routine? It’s never too young to start caring for your son's skin, however, around 10 years of age is probably a good time to introduce a routine. An easy to use face wash applied with the fingers and rinsed off with warm water is a good start. Add to this a head to toe body and hair product which has been formulated specifically for adolescents and you have started a great routine that will set them up for their entire teenage years. My son hasn’t had any breakouts yet, but his friends have. Have we avoided it or will he get them soon? He may be lucky, but most teenagers get some form of acne, at some point. Some only get a few pimples now and then, and others unfortunately may be covered in them. Even after decades of research, scientists still don’t have a definite answer to what really causes acne.  It is most probably a combination of various factors although it is most likely genes that determine whether someone gets acne or not. This could be due to the way skin reacts to hormonal changes which affect us all during puberty. All of a sudden my son has really started to sweat and smell. Is this normal? It sure is! Adolescents sweat more because the new hormones released at the onset of puberty cause an increase in the amount of moisture sweat glands produce. Additionally, teens sweat in more places. There are two types of sweat glands in the human body- eccrine glands and apocrine glands- and they function quite differently. Eccrine glands are spread all over our body and they produce sweat that is mainly salt and water. Eccrine glands open directly onto the surface of the skin. This sweat helps regulate body temperature and is usually odourless.  Apocrine glands are located mainly in the armpits and around the groin. They start working to make oils as well as sweat at the onset of puberty.  Activation of the apocrine glands only happens at the onset of puberty. Apocrine glands are much less numerous than eccrine glands. They are found in places which normally have hair or, in the case of adolescents or pre-teens will have hair, like the armpit and genital region. These apocrine sweat glands continuously secrete a concentrated fatty sweat into the gland tube. Emotional stress stimulates contraction of the gland, expelling its contents. Skin bacteria break down the fats into unsaturated fatty acids that possess a powerful odor. The apocrine glands make sweat at the same time as the eccrine glands, and they make even more sweat when you are stressed! My son has started getting body odor, but he seems oblivious to it. How can I get him to improve his own hygiene routine? Some teens struggle with the concepts of their changing needs and refuse to shower or apply deodorant as often as they should. As a parent you need to first make the decision whether it is a problem for you or is it a problem for them. If your son looks dirty, smells bad or is not getting on at school this could be a signal that it is a problem. Talk to them about your own experiences. It can be uncomfortable to start a conversation about body odor and hygiene, especially with an over sensitive teenager. However, having a direct and respectful talk now can also help with other issues they will face during puberty. Picking the right time and place for this delicate conversation is paramount! We suggest purchasing some personal care items geared for teens. Body wash, soaps and deodorant that are specifically formulated for teens that are left in the bathroom might just disappear quickly. Don't buy what you would buy for yourself or better still, get your son involved with the purchase. If the problem is impacting on how your son is interacting with others and they just will not listen to you, it’s time to enlist the help of another discreet family member like an older sibling or a professional. Kids will often listen to another trusted adult. My son is 14. The hormones have kicked in, the pimples have appeared, despite a pretty healthy diet. I limit his sugar etc. What do you recommend? Most teenagers get some form of acne and there are many myths about what causes it. Although having a healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods is a great way to help care for skin, most teenagers will develop acne or at least have breakouts.  In addition to a good diet, a good skin care routine will help reduce breakouts and control acne. We recommend a two step routine: Step 1 808 Dude Zit Free Face Wash for Teens is an easy face wash applied with the fingers and rinsed off with warm water. Applied preferably twice a day, but at least once a day, this face wash uses Aloe Vera to nourish and soothe the skin. It also contains Witch Hazel for its astringent and antibacterial capabilities and Chamomile for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender and Tea Tree oil are carefully combined with a range of other natural ingredients to create a face wash which meets the needs of a teenage boy’s skin.  Step 2 808 Dude Clear Skin Spot Free Gel is specifically formulated for persistent acne and those nasty red spots. This gel works quickly to dry up pimples and reduce inflammation. The secret to its healing powers lies in the combination of Manuka Honey and Sweet Almond Oil along with Argan oil, Tamanu oil, Tea Tree oil and other essential oils. Manuka honey decreases inflammation of the skin and has anti-bacterial properties which helps reduce infection. Sweet Almond Oil is packed with Vitamin A and E. Vitamin E helps to keep skin cells healthy while Vitamin A actively fights against acne by cleaning out pores. The effects of this gel can be seen quickly- just what teenagers want! My son has lost his confidence. He doesn’t want to go out and be seen. What can I do? Puberty can be a difficult time for a boy. For them there isn’t just one event or sign that they are growing up. There are lots of them, including growth spurts, their voice changing, facial and body hair and an awakening sexuality. They are coping with changes in their body, acne and body odor as well, at a time when they already feel awkward and self-conscious. Unexplained mood swings, aggression, depression and low self-esteem are all difficult to handle in themselves but add them to the physical changes they are experiencing and puberty can be a really tough time. As a mum you want to make this difficult time as easy as possible. Being there for them and giving them emotional support is of course essential during this challenging time. You can help ease some of the symptoms, especially the physical ones of acne, body odor and oily hair by introducing them to a skin care and hygiene routine but if your son is losing his confidence and becoming withdrawn it may be appropriate to seek some professional help. Your GP should be a good starting point. Your son’s school may also have a guidance officer or pastoral worker that may also be able to assist you.  Will natural products work as well as the products I can buy at the supermarket? Contrary to what many leading cosmetic companies would like you to believe, organic and natural products have been used with great success in the past and present. Most of the ingredients that are included in modern organic and natural skincare products have been used for centuries. These products have been developed using natural ingredients that have been known for their extraordinary benefits for the skin. These ingredients have proven their worth and have been shown not to have any adverse side effects (individual allergies excluded), encouraging healthy and beautiful looking skin.

Teenage Body Odour | Deodorant for Kids & Teens Do you remember that gorgeous new baby smell? Remember how delightful your son smelt as a baby? Unfortunately times change and now the reality is that - your boy stinks! Why? Because they are growing up and its normal.  Long before your son starts displaying the more obvious signs of his changing body, hormones are being released in his system. They are starting the journey to adulthood. Facilitated by oils, skin bacteria and new sweat glands. The result can be a horrendously smelly adolescent or even pre-teen, who doesn’t even necessarily realise he stinks.  Parents and kids shouldn’t be alarmed by normal body odour. It’s caused by hormonal changes that come when children start puberty. There’s nothing quite like the smell of body odour to remind parents their little boy is growing up! Before you go running for the deodorant for your teen, there are a few things you should think about. Why Adolescents Smell- a little bit of biology! Adolescents sweat more. New hormones released at the onset of puberty cause an increase in the amount of moisture sweat glands produce. Additionally, teens sweat in more places. There are two types of sweat glands in the human body- eccrine glands and apocrine glands- and they function quite differently.  Eccrine glands are spread all over our body and they produce sweat that is mainly salt and water. Eccrine glands open directly onto the surface of the skin. This sweat helps regulate body temperature and is usually odourless.   Apocrine glands are located mainly in the armpits and around the groin (they are also found on the hairline and eye lids). They start working to make oils as well as sweat at the onset of puberty.  Activation of the apocrine glands only happens at the onset of puberty.  Some research has suggested that this smell is an evolutionary thing. That it sends out a message telling others of the species they were reaching sexual maturity!  Apocrine glands are much less numerous than eccrine glands. They are found in places which normally have hair or, in the case of adolescents or pre-teens will have hair, like the armpit and genital region. These apocrine sweat glands continuously secrete a concentrated fatty sweat into the gland tube.  Emotional stress stimulates contraction of the gland, expelling its contents. The apocrine glands make sweat at the same time as the eccrine glands, and they make even more sweat when you are stressed! Stinky feet Smelly feet are caused by something different. While feet don’t have the glands that produce oily sweat. Socks and shoes hold moisture allowing bacteria and yeast to grow on feet. This causes a different type of bad smell and the bacteria and yeast can cause tinea.  The sweat glands in the feet can produce copious amounts of sweat every day so it’s not surprising that stinky feet can be an issue at the onset of and during puberty when sweat glands are more active.  Managing Adolescent Body Odour While increased body odour is a normal part of adolescence, being able to manage it is an important part of growing up. When kids start to smell, simple changes to their hygiene routine are essential. Daily (or twice daily) Showers/Baths Body odour is natural, but it still can make kids and teens self-conscious. So when body odour starts, they should start taking a shower or bath at least every day.  Showering or bathing with our ‘808 Dude Shampoo & Body Wash for Teens’, removes the bacteria that causes body odour, so a daily shower or bath with soap and water – paying particular attention to the armpit area, genital area and feet – is key.  Washing after exercise is especially important to rinse away sweat that has combined with bacteria on the skin. It is also important that kids wear fresh underwear, socks and other clothing daily because sweaty clothes can help bacteria grow and cause more odour. Frequent Application of Deodorant A good deodorant for kids and teens, like our ‘808 Dude No More Stinky Pits’, can eliminate odour including odour caused by sweating in active adolescents. Besides practicing good hygiene, staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet that doesn’t include a lot of greasy food should help keep body odour at bay.  Adolescents with foot odour should use cotton socks to absorb moisture and avoid wearing shoes without socks. Similar to body odour, careful washing in key areas can help keep foot odour at a minimum.   Adolescents should be encouraged to scrub carefully between the toes which is a great place for bacteria to breed. Washing the feet more than once each day will help, especially during really warm weather or when participating in sports activities with closed-in shoes. Once the bacteria is removed, be sure the feet are completely dry before putting on a clean pair of socks. Another tip is to use our all natural deodorant for kids and teens on the bottom of dry feet. Having the ‘talk’ - about Body Odour One of the many responsibilities of parenthood is teaching children about hygiene. When they were little you had a very hands on approach. As adolescents and pre-teens they require and deserve more privacy and independence. However, they still need some adult supervision and honest constructive feedback and education.  As parents you have to teach them to keep their body odour under control, for both your sakes!  It can be a delicate issue and it can be uncomfortable to start this conversation especially with a more sensitive teenager. However, having a direct and respectful talk now can also help with other issues they will face during puberty.  Dealing with these smaller issues of puberty in a sensitive and respectful way will make your teenage son more likely to come to you with other issues as they go through adolescence. Tips for ‘having the talk’ Never ever say anything in public or around their friends, this is private conversation!  Don’t turn it into a joke  Turn the conversation to one about increasing maturity and responsibility Talk about your own journey through adolescence Talk to them about the biology of what is happening Talk about the need for extra showering and the areas they now need to focus more on Give them a say in how they want to manage their own hygiene choices A good conversation now, helps to maintain that great relationship you already have with your son! Body Wash & Deodorant for Kids and Teens - Roll on vs Spray Many deodorants on the market today are filled with harsh chemicals like Triclosan, Aluminium, Parabens, as well as artificial dyes and fragrances. It’s normal to have health and safety concerns about chemicals. After all, this is your son and you don’t want to expose them to anything that could cause them any long term health issues.  Deodorants that just mask the smell are not a viable solution for an adolescent! A deodorant for kids or teens needs to have anti-bacterial properties.  Antiperspirants that create a seal to prevent sweat contain aluminium.  Selecting an aluminium-free deodorant for your teenager is perhaps one of the best ways to prevent exposure to this dangerous compound which has been linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s. Why choose a Roll On vs Spray? In addition to having anti-bacterial properties, a deodorant for kids and teens needs to be easy and quick to apply. An easy to apply roll on or stick deodorant that lasts through the day is ideal and most adolescents will find the routine stress free.  808 Dude Teen Deodorant for Stinky Pits is an Aluminium free, quick drying roll on deodorant that neutralises odours by using the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of Cedarwood, Bergamot, Citrus, Geranium and Sandalwood oils.  An important part of your son’s hygiene routine is also showering every day, more often if necessary. Showering routinely is essential in smelling fresh (and for his confidence). Here  is a full body wash and shampoo that helps to wash away bacteria and combat bacterial growth is the easiest and least complex option.  808 Dude Shampoo and Body Wash for Teens is an easy to use head to toe product using one easy squeeze tube. It is formulated to remove the bacteria and grime that can cause teenage body odour.  808 Dude Shampoo and Body wash contains Aloe Vera, a wonderful moisturiser that also tones and firms the skin, Ginseng that nourishes the hair and stops dandruff in its tracks, Bergamot oil which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and Rosemary Leaf oil which has natural antiseptic properties, to name just a few.  For more information and a break down of our deodorant and body wash ingredients, we recommend reading our article on ‘Natural Skin Care Products’. Alternatively, if you are debating different types of deodorants for your kids /teens, check out our article on ‘Roll On vs Spray’. Have you purchased our 808 deodorant for your son? How did he find it? Do you have any other tips or tricks for naturally removing teen body odour? Leave us a comment below! 808 Dude

There is plethora of information to be found on the virtues of using organic and natural skin care products. Organic products can be found everywhere these days, from your local farmer’s market to the aisles of Coles and Woolworths. 

Ever wondered how to get rid of pimples? For any teenager out there crawling through Google looking for that mystical answer of how to get rid of pimples…this article is for you! Have you ever heard of the old wives tales that involves covering your face in toothpaste to help get rid of pimples overnight? As nice as it would be if that were true, we are here to set the record straight. Colgate cannot help this time… Unfortunately, while it is not possible to treat and then wake up the next day, totally blemish free. With consistent care and these easy steps, you will be feeling fresh and confident, with clear skin.  While researching for this piece we had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah, an  expert in the industry and the proud owner of ‘The Skin Suite’ in Brisbane city.  What is a pimple & what causes it? Without getting too in-depth and graphic, a pimple is the result of oil, dead skin and so on, getting trapped in the pores of the skin. This clogs up the pores and results in an inflammation, also known as a pimple. Sarah: In your age bracket, there are a lot of hormonal changes happening (hello puberty!). This change in your hormones are triggering the excess sebum (oil) flow and mixing with dead skin cells within your pores. This causes clogging, and ultimately a pimple. How long will a pimple last? A pimple will last on average 4-5 days, however, it will vary from person to person and how you choose to treat them. How to get rid of a pimple? There are hundreds of ways if you look online - the trick is searching for the ones that actually work, no stress! We have done that for you. Follow our step by step guide below! 1. Steam - Steam is so good for your skin, even when there are no pimples. Grab a spare bowl, fill with boiling water (warning: careful when dealing with boiling water), hover your face about 30cm above the bowl and cover your head with a towel. Yes, you may look odd, but trust us here! Allowing the steam to envelope your face and neck is amazing for your skin! The steam will open the pores and allow them to breath. Personally I can only hang out under there for a minute or so before it gets too hot! Come up for some cool air, before repeating a few times. 2. No matter how tempted you may be, experts advise against popping a pimple. BUT, we get it.. No one wants to leave the house with a yellow headed angry pimple. If going back to bed is not an option and you really want to squeeze the pimple, the biggest rules are: Thoroughly wash your hands first, use two cotton balls if you can, to press on either side of the pimple (GENTLY). Squeeze until the pus is removed, but stop when you see the first sign of blood! Hygiene is the most important rule here, why? Now that the pimple is popped, more bacteria can get into the wounded pore, which could lead to infection. Follow up with the next few steps… 3. Wash - Now that you have opened the pores… Wash your face. Our Zit Free Face Wash for Teens is the perfect option for teenagers. Why? It is one of the best acne face wash for teens in Australia! Complete with antibacterial properties to remove the pimples you do have and essential oils to heal scars and stop further outbreaks… you cant go wrong, it’s a no brainer! 4. Ice - The biggest thing an ice cube can do is decrease inflammation, swelling and redness. Wrap it in a small, clean face washer, apply to skin for a minute or so, remove for 30 seconds, repeat the process. Not only does it decrease inflammation, it is also great to reduce the pain that some pimples bring with them.. 5. Gel - Follow up by pat drying with a clean towel. The last step is possibly the most important. Apply our Clear Skin, Spot Free Gel to any areas on your face covered in acne. It is made with a special combination of Australian Manuka honey and essential oils. This awesome gel has the unique ability to not only heal and prevent pimples, but heal wounds and promote the growth of new tissue!  Now that you have the ‘how to get rid of pimples’ routine down pat, quickly check out our tips on ‘how to stop them coming back’! 6. Clean Skin - The trick, now that you have the the routine, is sticking to it. Consistent use of face wash, spot gel and teenaged body wash is your best bet for clean, healthy skin. 7. Diet - Yep we are gunna say it.. Clean up the diet. Cut out the sugary drinks and heavy sugar laden foods and it will do wonders for your skin! 8. Exercise - Once your body starts sweating, your pores have opened. It’s a good opportunity to flush them out! Just make sure that you finish up your run/box/swim with a hot shower and our Shampoo & Body Wash for Teens - It removes the bacteria and grime from the sweat. If you don’t, you might do your skin more harm than good. 9. Get enough sleep - everyone knows sleep is important, but why? Your body heals itself while asleep, this includes your biggest organ… the skin. Pop some of our gel on the pimples and sleep your acne away! 10. Hormones - Unfortunately there’s not much you can do about this one… we are here to tell you, acne is normal. Yeah it sucks, but hormone related teenage acne is really common and sometimes the only thing that can fix it is time. Hang in there! How do you know if a breakout is coming? Check out our article on 'How to know and what to look for'! Jump on the problem, ASAP with our steps above! Sarah’s Tips - The best way to support this hormonal process is through your diet. Clean, wholefoods. Think veggies, fruit and proteins full of healthy fats and oils (like fish, avocado and nuts). These foods will help your skin produce more refined sebum (oils) that are less likely to clog up follicles and cause breakouts. Also make sure you drink heaps of water! All of this will keep your insides happy and allow the flushing out of hormones, so they don’t store up and come out in your skin! Also it’s a great idea to have a simple and effective skin care routine to stop the spread of bacteria  and oils (especially after sweaty activities such as sports!). 808 Dude’s products are perfect as they are designed for your age group. No harsh scrubs, and keep fingers away, no touching! Steps to Clear Skin: Sarah’s final words - The most important factor is to remember that acne doesn’t define you. It can be a real confidence zapper. Try to find someone you feel comfortable talking to about it (your parents, a friend or even a skin professional). Don’t bottle up your feelings about the acne you are experiencing, its very normal! Quite simply, pimples suck! At 808 Dude, we see it time and time again, so many teenagers are out there right now feeling self conscious about their complexion. Give these tips a try and leave us a comment down below to let us know what works for you.   808 Dude

Pimpes and acne don't just happen overnight, right? Well, it might feel like it to your son but there are little signs that he might have a problem with breakouts. So this is what to look for: *He is smellier than usual *His skin is getting oily *His hair is oilier than usual *little white heads are appearing along with blackheads *skin is looking a bit red and possibly shiny This is the time to take action - DO NOT WAIT as it will only get worse and take longer to get under control. Really, all this means is that he will need to get on top of his personal hygiene and go that extra little step and wash his face separately from his body twice a day. He will have to do this for most of his time going through puberty to keep his skin clear. When he stops his skin will get spotty so he'll soon work it out for himself. Look for a face wash that is gentle enough to use twice a day that doesn't dry out the skin. Choosing 100% natural will be the way to go. So no alcohol, chemicals especially PEGS, (check the www.ewg.org/skindeep/ database if unsure what is in a product. Look for a product that has natural essential oils that address the removal of bacteria such as tea tree without changing and drying out the skin. You want the skin to remain hydrated so encourage your son to drink water instead of fizzy drinks and use a gentle natural moisturiser if necessary. If the skin is dehydrated it is harder for a pimple to push up and then they can become more infected, prone to squeezing and painful. Eww 808 Dude Zit Free Face Wash was created and formulated to make teen boys and (mums) life easier by giving a simple yet effective solution to staying on top of pimples and keeping teen boys skin clear and healthy. The face wash is formulated to be used twice daily before, during and after pimple outbreaks.   

Skin Care for Teen Boys. When it comes to boys (+ acne or pimples) and skin care for teens, they usually want the no-brainer approach - the least amount of effort for the greatest result. They may even pay little to no attention, to the fact that they might even need something to help clear up their skin. Also boys can be very embarrassed and non vocal about having spots. If their skin is starting to break out and white heads are forming this is usually nothing to be too concerned about and can be cleared up quickly using the right products for their skin. However, if the lumps are cystic in appearance and really painful then professional advice is best sort from a dermatologist. This is because there could be something other than normal hormonal issues, driving the skin changes. For normal pimples a simple routine of using a face wash designed to kill the bacteria on the skin and settle the redness is all that is needed. If faster healing is required using a spot treatment quickens this process.   An all natural approach is best as most of over the counter pimple products contain nasty chemicals that are hormone disrupters and alcohol that dries out the skin and upsets the PH balance making pimples more painful as they try and pop up through the skin and can sometimes even cause lasting skin problems such as scarring. Read the label on the back carefully as some brands can be very misleading about being all natural. The teen brand 808 Dude formulated two natural and organic products just for pimples that deliver really quick results without much effort. The Zit Free face wash removes oil and grime gently and the essential oils work to heal and prevent spots. The spot free gel in the range contains over 35% Manuka honey - close to medical grade honey known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. This makes it one of the best healers for pimples and small nicks from shaving. The two products together are designed to kill the bacteria, calm the skin, settle the pain and heal, preventing further outbreaks. When to introduce a skin care routine for teen boys? The best time to get your son using products is at the first sign of little bumps under the skin. These can start as young as 12 but are normally around age 14 or 15. It is a great time to start getting a daily personal care routine is established, such as a quick face wash, morning and night. If you get boys into a routine early you can prevent their skin worsening. It will keep the oils balanced on their face and they are less likely to have big outbreaks. Please be aware though, pimples and acne are a normal part of puberty. This means, even if your son is extra diligent and is right on top of his skincare routine, he may well still experience the odd pimple here and there. The best we can do for them as parents, is set them up for success. When you do start your teenager on their new natural, acne free skin care routine, make sure you explain how to use them properly. They will need guidance on the correct amount to use and how often they need to use it. Believe us when we say, they have absolutely no idea! It is best to advise twice a day, such as when brushing their teeth and or showering. This is especially important if they are heavily involved in sports and spend their days sweating. The other thing to make sure is that they are only applying spot treatments to clean skin! Applying it before they wash their faces or have a shower will cause dirt and grime to become trapped underneath the gel. This can actually cause their pores to become more blocked and encourage further outbreaks. Skin care for teens is a highly discussed topic. Teenage acne and even the odd pimple can cause teenagers a lot of angst. It is important that we, as their parents, are there to guide and lend a helping hand. Do your research, purchase the best acne face wash you can find, find the best skin care for teens that you can...ultimately, they will thank you for it. If you have any questions regarding natural skincare for teenage skin and why it is so important to opt for all natural skin care products, check out our latest blog 'Natural Skin Care Products' or head to our 'Contact Us' page and send us an email. We are always happy to help!