A simple skin routine for school-age children

What it is

School-age children need very little skincare: cleanliness, moisture and sun protection.

How it works

A simple routine keeps children's skin healthy without cosmetic products.

Why it matters on darker skin

Long days outdoors at school and sport, heat and dust can dry skin and trigger eczema or pale patches in children with darker skin.

Causes and triggers

Sun, sweat and dryness.

What helps — and why it works

Morning: wash face with water or a gentle cleanser, moisturise, and apply a fragrance-free SPF 30+ before outdoor play. After school: wash hands and face, change out of sweaty clothes. Night: lukewarm bath, moisturise. Pack a water bottle every day. Gentle wash, moisturiser, sunscreen: covers essentials. Expected timeline: daily.

More detail

School days bring sun at break time, sweat during sport, dusty playgrounds and, for some children, eczema or acne that affects confidence. A routine that takes less than five minutes is more likely to be followed. In the morning: wash the face with water or a gentle cleanser, apply a fragrance-free moisturiser, and use sunscreen on exposed skin if the child will be outdoors, with a hat where the school allows. After school and sport: a quick shower, fresh clothes, and an emollient for dry skin. Teach children not to share combs, towels, caps or hair accessories, which spread scalp ringworm and lice. Keep nails short and clean. For children with eczema, give the school a spare emollient and explain that the condition is not catching. Teenagers starting to get spots can be shown a simple, evidence-based acne routine rather than trying friends' home remedies.

What to avoid and why

Avoid adult skincare, scrubs, fragranced lotions, "toning" creams and sharing towels or combs at school.

Common mistakes

• Adult actives.
• Lightening creams.

Caring for children's skin

Children's skin is thinner, loses water faster and absorbs more of what is applied to it relative to body size, so simpler is safer. For most children a short lukewarm bath, a fragrance-free soap substitute and a plain emollient are all that is needed, plus shade, clothing and sunscreen from six months of age. Avoid adult products, essential oils, antiseptics in bath water, bleaching or 'toning' creams, and cosmetic treatments such as relaxers and gel nails. Medicines and medicated creams should be used only as a doctor, nurse or pharmacist advises, and in children Melanin & Me does not offer photo checks: a clinician should see the child. Trust your instincts as a parent: a child who is unusually sleepy, floppy, not feeding, breathing fast or has a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass needs urgent care. Keep a simple record — photos and dates — of rashes that come and go, as this helps the doctor.

Products, medicines and when to worry

When choosing products for children, look for fragrance-free formulas with short ingredient lists, and avoid adult acne, anti-ageing or lightening products, essential oils and talc. Medicated creams — including steroid creams, antifungals and antibiotics — are safe and helpful when prescribed for the right condition and used for the right length of time, but mixed creams sold over the counter can contain strong steroids that are unsafe for children. Sunscreen is suitable from six months of age; younger babies should be kept in the shade and covered. Do not give medicines intended for adults, and ask a pharmacist about the right medicine for a child's age and weight. Seek urgent care for any rash with fever and a very unwell child, a rash that does not fade under a glass, swelling of the face or lips, or blistering of the mouth or eyes.

Questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist

Useful questions include: What do you think is causing this? Is it likely to come back, and how can I prevent it? Which products should I stop? How long before I should expect improvement, and when should I come back if it isn't better? Are there side effects to watch for? Is this treatment safe if I am pregnant, breastfeeding or for my child? Writing your questions down, bringing your products (or photos of their labels) and taking dated photos of the problem make an appointment much more useful.