Most people need just three skin care products to use on their face: a mild soap, a fragrance-free moisturizer, and sunscreen. If you tend to get pimples, try an oil-free moisturizer and sunscreen.

Using products for problems you don’t have — like wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging — could harm your skin. You could get acne, rashes, burns, or allergic reactions. You also might end up needing to see a dermatologist (a doctor who treats skin problems).

Before using skin care products, keep these things in mind:

• Getting pimples during puberty and periods is normal. Try to be patient, as they often go away on their own.
• Everyone’s skin is different. If a friend, celebrity, or influencer uses a certain skin care product, that doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
• Many people who present their skin care routines online are paid to do so. So the video is really a kind of ad. Also, companies track what you look at, then show you more of the same content. That’s why you may see lots of articles and ads for skin care products. This gets you to think about them more and more.
• Using a bunch of skin care products can cost a lot. Add it up and see what else that money could go toward, like saving up for a car or college.

If things like oily skin bother you, ask your doctor what gentle products can help. For skin conditions like severe acne, eczema, or psoriasis, your doctor may suggest going to see a dermatologist.