It’s frustrating when a new purchase seems like a dud. Just as bad—or possibly worse—is when a tried-and-true favorite stops working altogether. What now? What do you do when your skincare isn’t working? Before you feel duped or defeated, remember that coming across the occasional roadblock is part of the course of every skincare journey. All skin is unique, and though a cult favorite may not produce the same miracles on you as it does for others, not all is lost. Here are 5 Reasons Why Skin Care Products Aren’t “Working”—and how to fix it:
1. You’re not applying your skincare in the right order.
Layering comes down to a science that requires precision in the order of application. Apply incorrectly, and you may be left wondering why you’re not getting results. The general rule is to apply products from thinnest to thickest in texture:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Facial Spray (optional)
- Eye Cream
- Serum
- Moisturizer/Face Cream
There are exceptions, of course (so refer to your product labels for specific directions), but the idea is to optimize absorption. Serums, for example, are highly concentrated formulas designed to address particular concerns. On that basis alone, they need to be applied closest to the skin to deliver fortified benefits efficiently and effectively. Face cream or moisturizer should then be applied on top to seal in the serum and guard against moisture loss.
2. The change of seasons is affecting your skin.
Your solution? Listen to your skin and switch up your products accordingly. Is your skin feeling dry or more sensitive as the weather cools? Swap out your lightweight moisturizer for a more vibrant face cream. Are you suddenly breaking out between seasons? Chances are, your skin is experiencing an imbalance, so adjust your regimen where needed and add one of these on-the-spot solutions to your routine to target blemishes. Does your skin appear oilier and congested? Use a clarifying astringent to remove all excess oil and add a clay-based mask to your weekly routine for an effective deep-clean.
3. You’re not exfoliating.
If your skin isn’t clean, everything you do afterward is pointless.
If you’re not exfoliating, dead skin cells and other impurities build up and clog the skin of your pores—which can leave your skin congested, uneven in texture, and prone to breakouts… moreover, it renders everything you apply after that pointless.
Moral of the story? Exfoliate regularly to help increase the efficacy of any skincare applied afterward.
This is how often you should be exfoliating:
- 1-2 times per week for dry to a combination or normal skin
- 2-3 times per week for combination to oily skin
4. You’re misusing your products.
We’ve all done it. In haste of excitement, we apply with abandon, then wonder why we aren’t seeing the same results everyone else on Instagram is raving about. There’s always a chance that the product might not be right for your skin type, but there’s a lingering possibility that it could be.
Common mistakes include:
- Shaking the Drying Lotion.
- Not shaking the Buffering Lotion.
- Using the incorrect solution for the type of breakout you’re experiencing.
5. Your perfect regimen is still out there, waiting.
Narrow down the endless options by taking our free skin analysis to find out which products are best suited for your skin type. Once you fill out the questionnaire, our skin specialists will customize a regimen based on your needs, so you don’t have to do the guesswork.
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