In a conversation with NewBeauty, Bubble Skincare founder and CEO Shai Eisenman shared the biggest lessons she’s learned about teen skin. As the creator of one of the most recognizable skin-care lines for younger users, Eisenman brings a unique lens to the conversation: she’s a mom, a former teen with sensitive skin and a founder who’s worked closely with thousands of consumers and a panel of dermatologists to create products designed with teen needs in mind.
Whether you’re a parent of a tween exploring skin care in the age of “Sephora kids,” or a teen trying to figure out what actually works, here are the biggest takeaways from our talk.
1. You don’t need a 10-step routine
One thing Eisenman emphasizes: keep it simple. “From age zero to 99, the only skin-care routine that you should 100 percent have is a cleanser, a moisturizer and sunscreen,” she says. “Sunscreen is the most important part of your routine.” Adding more steps can actually backfire, especially on younger skin. “You really do not need anything above that, especially when you’re younger,” she says. “Even for adults, the foundation should still be those three steps—treatment products are optional based on your needs.”
Bubble’s gentle Fresh Start Gel Cleanser ($17), nourishing Slam Dunk moisturizer ($16) and mineral-based Solar Mate sunscreen ($19) make up the brand’s foundational trio.
Recently added to the list of must-haves is Cosmic Silk ($16), a milky toner that Eisenman says delivers hydration, glow and a sensorial experience unlike anything else on the market.
2. Wait for breakouts before adding actives
A common mistake? Introducing ingredients like salicylic acid or retinol too early. “Before you’re 14, we don’t recommend you do anything above the basics,” says Eisenman. “The moment when you start breaking out… that’s the moment where you can start incorporating salicylic acid.” Until then, the focus should be on gentle cleansing, lightweight hydration and sun protection. Her own daughter, age nine, has already embraced this less-is-more approach, something Eisenman considers a small parenting win.
3. What’s not in a product matters just as much as what is
Eisenman believes that ingredient quality and formulation matter just as much as any marketing buzzword. “When you create a formula, it’s like baking a cookie. You can use the best ingredients, but if you overbake it or mix it poorly, it still won’t taste right.” She also points out that not all trending ingredients are well studied. “There are so many hyped ingredients which, honestly, most of the time, have not been tested thoroughly enough to have the true clinical backing.”
4. You don’t have to choose between affordable and effective
For many families, price is a big factor. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice thoughtful formulations. Eisenman set out to offer better options at teen-accessible price points—something she felt was missing in the market. “There’s so much innovation happening in prestige… but when you look at a price point of $20 or under, people are still stuck with the same things I used when I was younger and that my mom used when she was younger.” She says a lot of care goes into every formula. “We spend years developing each product. When we meet dermatologists and they understand the testing and science behind it, the perception often shifts.”
5. Skin care should feel good at every age
Although Bubble was designed with Gen Z in mind, Eisenman says it’s become a go-to for people of all ages. “My household is four generations of Bubble,” she says. “My daughter’s using it, I’m using it, my mom is using it and my grandmother’s using it.” The reason? Textures and formulations that are meant to feel good, not just do good. “The sensorial feel of every product is so elevated and unique that it’s a joy to use,” she says. For those with drier or maturing skin, she recommends Power Wave ($16), a deeply hydrating moisturizer formulated to be non-comedogenic but still rich enough to comfort dry skin.
What It Comes Down To
If you’re helping a child start their skin-care journey, or if you’re a teen figuring it out yourself, start simple. A good cleanser, gentle moisturizer and mineral sunscreen are the most important steps. From there, only add what your skin actually needs. Keep it basic, consistent, comfortable and skip the hype.
