It takes 3 to 4 months to know if a skincare routine is working, but there are some early tell-tale signs to look for. Skin that is healthy and not irritated by any products should be free of itchiness and pain. Finally, healthy skin should feel hydrated but not overly oily.
“Redness, breakouts, dry patches, uneven texture and inflammation are all signs the product you are using doesn't agree with you,” she says. Oily skin may be the norm for some, but if oil usually isn't a concern for you, then perhaps your product formulas are affecting your skin.
To find out just how long you have to use a product before you should start seeing results, we asked dermatologists - who told us that, in general, changes to your skin will take at least a month, but that you should follow a new routine for at least three months to gauge effectiveness.
An itchy red rash after using skincare products is a clear sign of an allergic reaction. But sometimes skincare products can cause more subtle symptoms, like dryness and flakiness, pimple-like bumps, and uneven skin tone. This may be due to irritation caused by a certain ingredient.
Skin purging is a process that happens when certain skincare ingredients increase skin cell turnover. This encourages shedding of old, dead cells and growth of new, healthy ones. Unfortunately, this process often makes the skin look worse before it looks better.
Though some people do report experiencing irritation and breakouts after using the ingredient, niacinamide is unlikely to cause purging.
Since antioxidants, such as vitamin C, neutralize ROS, they may inhibit these protective effects and could cause an increase in acne-causing bacteria. Overall, though, there is not enough evidence to support the claims that vitamin C serums can cause acne.
Your skin might burn, sting, itch, or get red right where you used the product. You might get blisters and have oozing, especially if you scratch. The other kind of reaction actually involves your immune system. It's called allergic contact dermatitis and symptoms can include redness, swelling, itching, and hives.
Purging is a sign that the product is working and you should continue with the treatment as prescribed. After a few weeks of purging, your skin and acne will have noticeably improved. Breaking out is when your skin is reacting because it is sensitive to something in the new product.
Skin purging typically looks like tiny red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They are often accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. It can also cause your skin to become flaky. The flare ups caused by purging have a shorter lifespan than a breakout.
Be patient for one skin cycle, or about 28 days
Everyone's skin is unique, so that time frame can differ from person to person. Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen.
What does it look like? Distinct, acne-like bumps may be purging. However, if you're noticing welts, diffuse redness, or anything resembling a rash, stop what you're doing. Inflammation is a sign of reaction and generally appears as all-over redness rather than individual, blemish-like spots.
If your product or service is legitimately deceiving people, do not sell it. You'll be no good at sales since part of your job is proving you are trustworthy and convincing the prospect that your product or service will solve their problem. It's impossible to do that (more than once) if you're trying too hard.
If you're wondering when to apply a vitamin C serum, the answer is both morning and night, after cleansing and toning. One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection.
When vitamin C acts as a pro-oxidant, the consequences include irritation, inflammation, collagen and elastin breakdown, and acne. So if you have any of these skin ailments, and are using a vitamin C serum, then its time to re-think your regimen.
Some serums can be too oily, which can exacerbate bumps and cause excessive buildup in the pores; other serums may contain high amounts of acids or exfoliants that can irritate the skin and worsen the condition—especially if your skin is sensitive, she explains.