Hormones, school stress, and nights out, can all wreak havoc on skin. The impacts may not show on younger skin but at Skin Rocks we say good habits start young.

Like me, you may have been there, hoovering the last grains of glitter from dorm floors as the sun sets on freshers. Looking into the mirror at some ungodly hour and seeing three-day old hour, slightly crusty foundation from topping up your makeup rather than removing it and dark circles desparately hiding behind concealer. If you happen to be running on minimum sleep, consuming more sodium than a professional eater and gaining upper body strength from the pure weight of looming essay deadlines, we understand skincare is a very low priority, and why should it be? Whether you enjoy wearing makeup or like to step out nude our skin is our biggest protector and largest organ - we think this qualifies it a bit of respect and TLC. Think about a skincare regimen as an early preventative measure. Do you know how to get rid of sun damage? By not getting it in the first place. 1. Hydration - sorry to say but alcohol isn't a hydrator. Ideally, we need two litres of water a day. This will seriously improve the way your skin looks and those hangover headaches might actually be a little less brutal, two birds, one stone. 2. Expense - a basic but effective skincare routine can be bought on a budget, doing a little research goes a long way and many companies offer student discounts. 3. Arsenal - the military kind! A cleanser, toner, good moisturiser and SPF is a great place to start, leaving you with a clean base for makeup or a flawless, fresh-faced look. 4. Take off your makeup - please, please, please, whatever you do, take your makeup off before bed. If nothing else, think of your pores! 5. SPF - the UK may be known for it's colder climate and expected 170 days of rain but UVA rays are still at work, speeding up skin ageing. Think of it as armour. Make it a habit now, and your older self (and skin) will thank you. Just like your plans, your skin changes. Quite literally shedding thousands of cells daily, creating a daily routine doesn't have to be time consuming and really can be fitted into the most hectic of scheduled. Your degree sets up your future, think of an early skincare regimen as the same thing. No matter your age, the Skin Rocks Teen Box is a great place to start if you are looking for an updated skincare routine. The Teen Box is suitable for any skin type, but has been created to be gentle enough and hydrating for young skin that may already be irritated from breakouts or acne.

Back in 2011, when searching for a deodorant for my teenage children, I was astounded at the pink and pouty cans aimed at my daughter and the aggressive steel and grey products targeting my son.  Having always brought them up as equals (I’ve been a stay-at-home dad for 15 years) ,I was shocked how some brands used sexual stereotyping to market to teenagers at the exact age they needed help and advice from our industry when dealing with issues like body odour, oily skin and greasy hair. The products also smelt like an explosion in a sweet shop or a 1970’s locker room.  Returning to the classroom, I passed a Diploma in Cosmetic Science with Distinction from the Society of Cosmetic Scientists. This allowed me to see how some brands were also marketing fear and ignorance surrounding ingredients in order to dupe consumers.  In reaction to this, I created a line of Unisex Personal Care products for Teenagers (Adolescent skin). The SAMFARMER range is designed to support and lend confidence to teenagers throughout their adolescence and into adulthood. My focus is to support, and encourage skin health incorporating clinically proven, specifically targeted actives in easy-to-use, efficacious and affordable products. Teenagers look to the cosmetic industry, not only to provide them with products to help them deal with their physical changes, but also help them negotiate their way through a crucial period of self-development. The SAMFARMER Moisturiser This unique moisturiser has been carefully formulated to support adolescent skin without clogging pores. It contains: skin-compatible Squalane (synthesised from olives) soothing Aloe moisturising Shea Butter and Glycerin protecting Vitamin E Butyl Avocadate – a unique extract from avocados that has been shown to reduce excessive sebum production without drying the skin. The light and mattifying formulation helps to not only rebalance the skin’s moisture levels after cleansing, but also to reduce excessive sebum production. It should be applied to dry skin immediately after washing the face and then throughout the day if required. As with all my formulations, ingredient selection is based on scientific and historical evidence rather than marketing trends. I use some synthetic ingredients, especially the fragrance to minimise sensitivity, and Parabens (Short chain Paraben esters) as the broad spectrum preservative system. I continue to be heavily involved in the professional Cosmetic Science community, championing scientific evidence and exploring the inherent complexities within the industry. This allows me to keep up-to-date on the latest ingredient clinical trials and advances in Cosmetic Chemistry, as well as the challenging areas surrounding sustainability and raw material sourcing.  The words Personal Care have real meaning for me.  This is personal and I really do care.

My love affair with beauty started before I turned 13. I recall walking into the very first Body Shop in Falls Church, Virginia: the year was 1986.