How to Know If a Skincare Product Is Working

My Skincare Routine believes everyone should have a skincare routine that works to meet their needs. That means finding the right products. However, we also know that since there are hundreds of products on the market, finding ones that work can be a bit daunting. 

Of course, there are ways to slim your options — reading reviews and researching brands, for example. But once you’ve determined that something is high quality enough to buy, you have yet another difficult task: figuring out whether or not the product works for you. 

Fortunately, we can help. Here’s everything you need to know about when and how your new skincare products are working for you.

Common Skincare Products and Benefits of Each

• Cleanser: A cleanser is the first step of a basic skincare routine. Your cleanser removes any makeup, dirt, oil, or sweat from the skin without stripping it of good bacteria or essential moisture.¹ Cleansers are not one-size-fits-all products — for best results, you’ll need to find one that corresponds to your skin type. 
• Exfoliator: While cleansers are for gently cleaning the skin, exfoliators go deeper. These products buff away built-up dead skin cells, leaving skin feeling and looking much smoother. Exfoliators come in two forms: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliators remove the dead skin cells with visible scrubbing agents. While chemical exfoliators dissolve dead skin cells with an acid (usually alpha hydroxy acids [AHAs] or beta hydroxy acids [BHAs].² 
• Toner: This skincare product works best when used between the cleansing and moisturizing parts of your skincare routine. Toners remove any excess oil, dirt, or leftover makeup a cleanser might have left behind.³ Like most cleansers, toners are formulated to target multiple skin issues and types. 
• Moisturizer: Your moisturizer is for post-cleansing and should be applied even if your skin doesn’t feel dry. This product helps maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier and protects it from getting infected or irritated.⁴
• Serum: Contrary to popular belief, serums and moisturizers are not interchangeable. You only need a few drops of these oil- or water-based liquids to treat your face. Serums sink into the skin fast to address specific yet common skin complaints, like wrinkles or discoloration.⁵
• Sunscreen: This product is one of the most crucial parts of a skincare routine, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. Using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily is a great way to decrease your odds of developing skin cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the U.S.⁶

How to Know If a Skincare Product Is Working

Now, to answer the million-dollar question: how do you know if your new skincare product is working for you?

On a basic level, you’ll know your skincare routine is effective if your skin is balanced⁷ — hydrated, yet not oily, and free of breakouts. 

Other signs a skincare product is working include:

Lack of itchiness and/or irritation

Irritated or itchy skin after product use is usually a tell-tale sign of an allergic reaction. So, if you aren’t experiencing either of these discomforts, you probably aren’t allergic to what you’re using.⁸

Smooth, uniformly-colored skin

The ideal state of your skin is smooth and uniform in color, so if your products leave your skin feeling less bumpy with fewer marks and less discoloration, they are probably working.⁹

How Long Should You Try a Skincare Product?

Your new skincare product’s label might speak of fast results, but that doesn’t mean you should expect to see changes overnight. 

It’s wise to test new skincare products for about a month, as the average skin cycle — or the forming of new skin cells and shedding of old ones — takes about 28 days to complete.¹⁰ 

If all is well after a month, continue testing the product for an additional two or three months to see if it’s producing the results it promises.

If you didn’t get the desired results, give your skin time to heal. Ditch the new skincare products right away and go back to the basics with a mild, hypoallergenic cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.¹¹

You’ll know it’s time to get rid of the new product if:

• You experience dryness, peeling, or roughness.
• You develop a rash or break out in hives.
• Your skin is oilier than usual, and you’re developing acne or zits.¹² 

How to Choose the Right Skincare Products

It’s tempting to jump on the bandwagon of whatever product is trending, but what works for some won’t work for others. Besides, popularity doesn’t always equal quality. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind that are more effective than following the crowd as you create a new skincare routine.

Know your skin type

The first step of your search is discovering whether you have normal, dry, oily, or sensitive skin.¹³ Brands make different products for different skin types, so knowing which category your face falls into will help you narrow down your options. 

Check the ingredients

Before purchasing a skincare product, check out the list of active ingredients on the label.¹⁴ If you see anything unfamiliar, look it up or ask your dermatologist how it works and if it’s good for your skin. 

If you see added fragrances, sulfates, parabens, and formaldehyde on a product’s label, it’s probably a good idea to steer clear of it. However, watch out for these ingredients as they’re usually good for your skin:

• Glycerin
• Vitamins C, E, and B3
• Retinol
• Ceramides and hyaluronic acid 

 Products with these inclusions might be worthwhile additions to your skincare regimen.¹⁵

Don’t believe the hype

If a product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick with reputable brands and stay away from any product that promises a miracle.¹⁶

Make the Most of Your Skincare Regimen

Don’t waste your time and money on mediocre products. Instead, treat your skin to the cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, and serums that will provide the results you’re looking for. 

Check out more of My Skincare Routine‘s articles for further guidance on caring for your complexion. Consult your dermatologist if you have any more questions about whether or not your new skincare product is worth keeping around.

SOURCES:

1. Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates: “Three Essential Elements in a Basic Skincare Routine“
2. Everyday Health: “A Detailed Guide on How to Exfoliate Your Skin“
3. Women’s Health: “What Face Toner Does And How To Use It, According To Dermatologists” 
4. Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates: “Three Essential Elements in a Basic Skincare Routine” 
5. Harvard Health Publishing: “Skin serum: What it can and can’t do“
6. Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates: “Three Essential Elements in a Basic Skincare Routine“
7. Well + Good: “How to Spot the Early Signs That a Brand-New Skin-Care Regimen Is Working“
8. Insider: “3 ways to tell if your skincare routine is working, harmful, or a waste of money“
9. Insider: “3 ways to tell if your skincare routine is working, harmful, or a waste of money“
10. Indian Express: “Know how long skincare products take to show results, and when they might be harmful“
11. Martha Stewart: “Five Signs a Skin Care Product Isn’t Working for You“
12. Martha Stewart: “Five Signs a Skin Care Product Isn’t Working for You“
13. Live More Zone: “Tips To Choose Best Skincare Products According To Your Skin Type“
14. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: “Choosing the Best Skin Care Products“
15. Real Simple: “How to Choose the Skincare Products Best Suited for Your Skin, According to Dermatologists“
16. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: “Choosing the Best Skin Care Products“