Being a newbie to the skincare world, especially for someone with normal skin, it’s okay to ask how I know if my skincare is working.
We all want to see results for our efforts, especially for something that requires time and consistency.
Skincare progress differs for skin types and conditions for example; an acne-prone skin might notice faster progress as it’s more visible to identify cleared spots than someone with combination skin to boost face glow and perfect an even tone. Also, some products may have more visible results than others.
Most brands specify how long it takes to see desired results, however, if you notice that your skincare routine is not working, there are other factors to consider such as;
- Wrong order of application
- Fake or expired product
- Incomplete application
- Lack of consistency and more
A proper skin care routine works wonders but you can’t ignore the comprehensive benefits a well-balanced diet, water, and adequate rest contributes to the overall skin wellbeing.
The scary skin purge and new skin care products
If your friends have ever said “it gets worse before it gets better” they were referring to the dreaded skin purge.
When you start a new skincare routine with products that contains active ingredients like retinoids, Vitamin C, Azelaic and other acids your skin undergoes a process similar to breakout and this can be scary but it’s a good thing.
How’s is a breakout a good thing?
It shows that the product you are using is working, it has penetrated your skin to bring out dead skin cells that would have cause acne and other breakouts in the future.
It’s just like sweeping your room everyday but never lifting your mattress to get dirt out, you feel like your room is super clean but you get a professional to clean and she brings out all these dirt from beneath your bed -that’s what happens with the skin purge.
It’s easy to get confuse by a normal pimple and a skin purge but there are few ways to spot differences;
- A skin purge causes breakout around the areas you frequently have acne or pimples. If the breakout is in a new area that’s usually acne-free that’s not a skin purge.
- Purge triggered breakouts leave as fast as they came, they take 4-6 weeks to disappear.
- According to Self, not all skincare product should cause a purge, the active ingredients in acids and other exfoliating product causes this purge. If you are breaking out from an oil base product it could be a reaction to clogged pores.
How to deal with breakout from skin purge
The best rule to handle skin purging is simple – less is more.
Stick to the routine that caused the purge, don’t introduce new products to dry them out and be consistent with your new skincare routine.
Frequently asked questions on how do I know if my skincare is working
If you are always asking, how do I know if my skincare is working? we have compiled a couple of question from skincare enthusiasts with answers from industry expert, science and detailed research.
- How do I know if my skin care routine is not working
It differs for skin issues and skin types. If you have an acne-prone skin and you start a new skincare routine, the first thing you may notice is the reduction of acne and within months you can have an acne-free skin.
However, if there’s no positive change after 28-30 days you may need to discontinue the treatment and speak to a dermatologist for professional advice.
In some cases, you will not need to wait for 28 days to stop a routine. If your skin is irritated by a routine, it’s best to discontinue immediately to avoid worsening your skin health.
- How long does it take to see results from skincare
If it’s an exfoliating product you may see faster results (skin purging) and for other product, it may take 28- 160 days to notice positive benefits.
- How can I tell if my skin is good
A good skin is the goal but what is good?
An acne-free skin, a smooth natural glowing skin or a perfect tone skin?
Good is subjective to different people and skin types, if you suffer from severe acne, good for you may be an acne-free skin.
Choosing products to treat acne may be a primary goal for you however, with an efficient skincare routine you can treat acne while balancing your skin tone at the same time.
According to Dr. Rashmi Shetty, a healthy skin has even tone, smooth texture, is well-hydrated, reflects light and doesn’t suffer from itching or burning sensations.
-
How long should I wait to see if a skincare product is working
Let’s talk science, the skin has three layers (epidermis, dermis and the hypodermis). The epidermis is the top layer of the skin, the part you can see and touch. It’s responsible for replacing dead skin cells every day and within 28-30 days you have a new skin.
From this scientific revelation, skincare product should have noticeable benefits within 28 -30 days. Changes may differ amongst distinct skin types however; it may take 2-4 months to notice huge changes on your skin.
If your skincare product is working, you will notice even tones, smooth skin, reduce acne for acne-prone skin and a natural glowing skin.
- How to know if the product is not right for you
If a product offers no benefits after 28-160 days, you should consider an alternative. Products that cause breakouts are also not right for you. Skin care product that doesn’t compliment your skin type (using a comedogenic product for an oily skin) are not right for you.
- How can you know if your product is breaking you out
Clogged pores cause breakouts.
If you are using a product that contains oil but your skin is not absorbing it, you should discontinue application. Gentle water-based products like moisturizers should not cause skin purge, if you notice breakouts with a product that doesn’t contain acids or certain exfoliating products then it’s a breakout not a skin purge.
Takeaway
Finally, we have answers to all your “how do I know if my skincare is working” questions.
Embark on your skincare journey empowered with right knowledge, scientific information and products for success. Cheers to a healthy skin!
