How Long Should You Try New Skincare Before Giving Up?

It finally happened—you bought that new skincare product that you’ve been dying to try! Your friends have raved about it, your favorite influencer uses it, and it’s so cute and trendy. You get home, open up the product, and start using it. A day goes by, then two days, then a week... and nothing seemed to have happen. Is the skincare a dud? Maybe it’s just not right for you. What do you do now?

How Does Skin Work?

Trust us, there is no need to panic yet. Your skin goes through a process called regeneration, where the epidermal stem cells in the lowest level of the epidermis create new skin cells. These new cells then mature as they move towards the top level of your skin, replacing the dead and damaged cells in that layer. In adults, this process can take anywhere between 28-42 days for the average adult, with older adults taking more than 40 days and teens' skin often taking close to 14-21 days. Skincare products help to support this regenerative process, giving your skin the tools it needs to do what it is made to do. 

Slow And Steady

Because this process is fairly slow, it can take time for the effects of a new skincare product to show. It might be hard to be patient, but if after a week your new product doesn’t seem to be doing much, don’t worry! It can take 4-6 weeks to really see the benefits. If you are starting a new acne treatment or trying to reduce dark spots, it can even take 6-8 weeks. 

Just A Purge? 

Now you’re noticing effects from your new skincare—but they’re bad? You’re seeing new breakouts and acne, and you’re probably feeling ready to throw the bottle in the trash. The good news is, though, that it’s likely just purging. It might seem strange that your skin might actually get worse before it gets better, but it happens! This is because ingredients can sometimes speed up how quickly your skin sheds old cells. This can cause an increase in acne for a short time, but should resolve once your skin adjusts. Usually, the breakout goes away within a few weeks. However, if you don’t see improvement soon, it might be more than just purging.

Time To Stop

Sometimes, your new skincare may not be right for you. It can be hard to know the difference between a purge and a bad reaction, but there are some telltale signs that can help you know. Burning and stinging that doesn’t go away is a bad sign. If you see red and flaky patches, that is also a sign that your skin is not enjoying your new skincare. And if you start getting swelling or a rash, it's definitely time to stop. 

Experimenting 

Buying new skincare is fun and exciting. You’re probably tempted to get a bunch of new products at once, but that really isn’t recommended. Doing this can overwhelm your skin, and lead to problems that you wouldn’t have had otherwise. Plus, starting multiple new skincare products at the same time makes it hard to know which one is really helping. If you do end up having a bad reaction, this will also help you know exactly which one is causing issues. It’s better to introduce each one at a time, so that you can know what each product is doing for your skin. 

Patience Is Key

Skincare is fun and exciting, and starting a new product or brand can make you anxious to see the results you want. But just like moving to a new school can take time to adjust, your skin won’t automatically be improve as soon as you start using new skincare. It’s hard, but if you are patient with your skin, you’ll see that glow you want before you know it!