4 reasons why your skin care is not working

Are there times where you’ve wondered how the same product works wonders for your friend but doesn’t seem to make a difference for yours - or worse, it makes your skin worse. 

Skin care is not a one size fits all solution, in fact it’s the exact opposite! Taking care of your skin, choosing the right products and following up on them regularly is no easy task.

There are many possible reasons why certain products work and others don’t but to help make it easier for you, here are 4 common possible reasons why your skincare may not be working. 

Your skin needs a break! Adding in many highly concentrated and intensive products such as serums and ampoules may seem effective, but it is important to adjust your skin care routine according to your current skin condition. Oftentimes, if your skin is still irritated or breaking out after an extensive skincare routine, chances are it may be overwhelmed by the intensive formulas. 

In times like these, going back to basics is your solution! Temporarily switching to a simpler routine to cater to your current skin condition could be all your skin needs. Focus on the basics - cleansing, hydrating and SPF. This will give your skin a chance to breathe and allow it to focus on rebuilding its skin barrier. Thereafter, once all the irritation goes away, slowly incorporate your serums and ampoules back into your routine. A healthy skin barrier will also help to absorb the actives from concentrated serums.

Although this is easier said than done, being patient is key! 

Our skin cells need at least 28 days to go through its full renewal cycle (this cycle may be longer as we age). With consistent application, you should be able to notice improvements in your skin within a month's time and significant results within 3 to 6 months. However for some, results may take a little longer depending on the severity of skin problems. 

Don't be discouraged when you don’t see immediate results, being consistent and patient with your skincare routine will surely help your skin in the long run. 

As the weather changes, so does your skin. When transitioning through different seasons or when travelling, our skin may become more sensitive and show signs of redness, itchiness and even breakouts. 

It is important to tweak your skincare routine to suit the weather you’re experiencing. For example, in colder weather, use a thicker moisturiser and in hotter weather, use more lightweight products.

As our skin condition changes as we age, so should our skincare products. What may be effective in our 20s to 30s may no longer be as effective for the skin in our 40s to 50s and older. 

Understanding your different skin needs according to your age will help you decide on the right solution to make the necessary changes. 

For example, the hydration focussed routine when you were younger may now need help from ingredients such as peptides and antioxidants to slow down signs of ageing. 

Whatever it is, don’t be discouraged when you don’t see immediate improvements in your skin, everyone deserves happy, healthy skin and it’s just a matter of time before your skin reaches its happy place.