As the mother of a teenage girl, I’m more than familiar with risky youthful beauty experiments, from self-cut fringes to permanent bright-red box dye. Skincare, though, is perhaps the most perilous of all. Teenagers descend upon anything in bold primary colours, and will happily smother half the skincare aisle on their face, choosing Instagrammable over safe and suitable.
As countless dermatologists and skin doctors have told me, they’re now seeing an epidemic of burnt-out teenage skin barriers.
The need for safe and gentle teenage skincare has never been greater, and that’s where the trustworthy M&S touch comes in. M&S has just launched Fresh Elements teenage skincare, with dermatologically approved formulas created with sensitive, delicate teenage complexions in mind.
There are eight clearly-defined products in the range, for a simple, safe daily routine, all at accessible prices that start from £9.50.
Oh, and the clincher? It all looks totally #SkinTok-ready. (Crucially, the resurgence of M&S seems to have spilled over into Gen Alpha world, with my daughter assuring me the brand now has a, quote, ‘cool aura’.) In M&S’s words, Fresh Elements is ‘skincare teens want, trust parents need.’
From where I’m sitting, Fresh Elements definitely looks covetable and ready to catch the teenage magpie eye. With bright colours and chunky designs, the range seems to have taken a few visual cues from teenage skincare favourites such as Bubble, Byoma and Drunk Elephant.
The latter brand has been subject to a bit of finger pointing in recent years, due to young fans using – and over-using – the most high-potency products in the range, often egged on by ill-informed ‘haul’ posts on social media.
Drunk Elephant itself advises that tweens (under 12s) should avoid its more active formulas full-stop. While the brand says teens 'can use any product in the Drunk Elephant line' it caveats that this depends on individual skin behaviours or concerns, and it advises starting with the basics, adding treatments slowly, one at time, and stopping if irritation occurs.
Personally, I wouldn't be happy giving my sensitive-skinned 15-year-old potent acids or retinoids from any brand, full stop. (At 51, my skin needs Babyfacial; her actual baby face does not!)
Teen skin flare-ups are familiar to consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite, who says, ‘In my practice, I see how kids are drawn to Insta-viral brands such as Drunk Elephant, plenty of whose formulations should not be used on teen skin.’
To help teenagers and parents navigate this minefield, Dr Granite sees clear merit in the new wave of dedicated teenage skincare formulations, which includes brands such as Indu, Sam Farmer, and now M&S Fresh Elements. ‘These [teen ranges] will be accessible and very clear in their messaging,’ she says. ‘It’s no bad thing for teens to have that reassurance that a product is appropriate for their skin. Dedicated ranges with teen appeal will at least help young people make the right choices.’
Here’s what’s in the new Fresh Elements line-up at M&S. (PS: I might be tempted to ‘borrow’ the jelly cleanser and rich moisturiser myself…)
Fresh Elements Foaming Cleanser
Designed with young, combination and easily unsettled skin in mind, this pH-balanced foaming cleanser delivers a thorough yet gentle cleanse without stripping away essential moisture. Enriched with provitamin B5 and glycerin to support lasting hydration, while allantoin works to soothe and calm, it keeps skin balanced as it clarifies.
Fresh Elements Jelly Cleanser
The refreshing jelly cleanser gently removes dirt, excess oil and make-up without disrupting the skin’s natural balance. Formulated with ingredients that help support natural moisture, it leaves young skin feeling soft, comfortable and well hydrated. The pH-balanced, dermatologically tested formula offers a gentle yet effective cleanse, making it suitable for sensitive or blemish-prone complexions without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.
Fresh Elements Balancing Toner
Help restore the skin’s natural balance with this gentle refining toner. Formulated with mandelic acid and willow bark extract, it provides mild exfoliation to help improve the look of pores and blemishes, while hyaluronic acid delivers a lightweight boost of hydration. The pH-balanced formula is designed to smooth and refresh, while remaining gentle on sensitive skin.
Fresh Elements Gel Moisturiser
Fresh Elements Light Gel Moisturizer
This dermatologically tested, lightweight gel moisturiser provides non-greasy hydration that’s perfect for sensitive skin. Enriched with niacinamide, it helps support the skin’s natural barrier while promoting a balanced, healthy-looking complexion. Fast-absorbing and gentle, it minimises the appearance of pores and helps even out skin tone. Its breathable texture sinks in instantly, leaving skin feeling resilient, an essential benefit for teens prone to dryness or over-cleansing.
Fresh Elements Rich Hydrating Moisturiser
Fresh Elements Hydrating Rich Moisturiser
The richer moisturiser from the range is infused with hyaluronic acid, urea, and squalane, which work together to deeply hydrate, soften and support a healthy skin barrier. Its comforting formula leaves skin feeling smooth, dewy, and healthier-looking. Gentle enough for sensitive skin and ideal for teens with drier complexions.
Fresh Elements Facial Serum
Dewy, healthy-looking skin starts with this lightweight serum. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin deliver long-lasting hydration, while cica extract helps soothe and balance the complexion, ideal for young, easily irritated skin. Fast-absorbing and gentle, it leaves skin feeling fresh, smooth and naturally radiant, making it perfect for teens and sensitive skin alike.
Fresh Elements Blemish Rescue Gel
This clever formula combines salicylic acid (BHA) to clear out pores with an azelaic acid derivative that helps calm redness and even out skin tone, perfect for teen blemishes without being too harsh on younger skin. Panthenol works alongside to soothe and support the skin’s natural barrier, leaving skin looking healthy and balanced.
Fresh Elements Balancing Facial Mist
Fresh Elements Balancing Facial Mist
This gentle, balancing facial mist hydrates while giving skin that coveted TikTok ‘glass skin’ glow. Each spritz delivers a dewy, revitalized finish, and its lightweight formula absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling fresh and nourished. Great for a hydration boost on the go!
