Can My Skincare Products Actually Stop Working?

It takes time and trial to finally find the perfect products for effective skincare because skincare is personal. Everyone’s skin is different! After perfecting our skincare routine, we set it in motion day and night. Then one day, you realize something that wakes you up from your beauty sleep. Your skin isn’t looking how you imagined it would after religiously following your routine. Did your skincare products actually stop working? Are they no longer effective? Can this actually happen?!

Why is it important to have an effective Skincare Routine?

Skincare Routines are not just videos to stalk on YouTube (admit it, we all do it). Having an effective skincare routine is as important as your diet! If you want skin that looks radiant, tight, and hydrated, it’s vital that you have a routine that you can stick to!

Following a skincare routine will:

• Save money in the future
• Keep your skin healthy
• Boost confidence

Sounds simple, but it’s something you need to follow, or else you’ll feel your skincare products have stopped working. But this will be because you weren’t diligent. There are other factors that add to skincare failure, but not being diligent about it is one that’s in your control.

Find products that suit your skin. Try products that have ingredients targeting your problematic areas, like glycolic acid for example. Learn about the products you choose. And finally, be consistent about using them!

Pro-Tip: Not all products are age-friendly. Make sure you find products suited to your skin type and age. You don’t want to use “harsh” products on very young skin. While skincare should begin early, using the wrong products will negatively impact the beauty of your skin!

Why your skincare doesn’t work!

If you’re under the impression that your skin can build immunity to your favorite skin products, you’re not completely wrong. Your skin can get used to the products that you use, which is why dermatologists recommend rotating skincare products during the season. For example, if you use skincare with Retinol, at first it might cause your skin to turn red but with constant use and cell turnover, your skin becomes acclimated to the Retinol and you begin to see results in a few weeks.

Another reason why your skincare doesn’t work is that you haven’t given it enough time! No skincare promises overnight results. Most results are seen after a few weeks of consistent use!

Finally, just because it’s a popular product, doesn’t mean it’s going to work. The biggest example of this is Salicylic Acid. It’s commonly used to treat acne but my best friend and my cousins, hate it! Why? Doesn’t work for them. I got lucky and I get away with using products with Salicylic Acid like The Oridinary Mask. Alternatives for Salcyclic Acid include Zinc, Retinol, and Tea Tree oil (ironically, I’m allergic to Tea Tree Oil).

Why do your skincare products stop working?

The answer to this is both simple and long. But if you keep these things in mind, you’ll notice that your products are just as great as they used to be.

Storage: If not stored properly, your skincare won’t work!

You might be storing your skincare incorrectly. Yes! There’s a way to store skincare properly, especially if it contains active ingredients which must be kept away from the heat and direct sunlight! Think back to basic biology, when you learned about enzymes. Enzymes are live catalysts that help your body function. But if exposed to heat, they denature and their structure changes. Once this happens, they can’t bind to their receptor sites and it’s function is no longer carried out.

Pro-Tip: Consider investing in a min-beauty fridge. Not only is it a great way to store your skincare, but it’ll feel amazing on your skin as well!

Expiration: If expired, your skincare might do more damage than good.

I know, you might think this reason might be silly, but it’s very common! How many times do you actually label your products when you start using them? Why label? Each product has a certain shelf-life. Just because you buy something supersized, might not be money saving. The next time you shop for skincare, think about their shelf-life and how often you’ll need to update your inventory.

Pro-Tip: Try labeling your skincare once you open it. If it expires in three months, label it with the 3 month expiry date.

Weather and Medication: These play a vital role in effective skincare!

If you read my post about winter skincare you’ll know that your skin is affected by the elements. Any season can affect your skin! That’s why it’s important to use your skincare accordingly. Certain products such as, intense moisturizers may be more effective in the winter, when your skin is dry. Using something water based in the summer might help you stay less oily.

Did you know certain Acne medication, such as Differin, can affect your skincare? My best friend had this experience and was lucky enough to be told when she went shopping at Sephora. So the next time you want to invest in skincare, ask questions and mention any medications you might be on.

Layering: If you don’t layer correctly your skincare products might stop working!

Sadly there is no all in one wonder product to use for our skincare routine. We have to use multiple products to achieve the look we want. After cleaning your face in the morning, apply your products from thinnest consistency to the thickest. So your serums would be applied first. I would wait a few seconds or so in between to make sure each layer has been absorbed. By doing this, your serums won’t have to work as hard to push through thicker moisturizers to reach your skin.

Check to make sure that the active ingredients in each product can be layered on top of one another. For example, you don’t want to be using AHAs and Retinol on the same day!

Give your skin a break!

My most important recommendation to anyone with a skincare routine is, to change it up and give your skin a break! I know, just thinking about this creates anxiety. Which product should I take away? Would my skin go back to the way it was before?

No. Trust me.

Products like treatment masks are great things to change up in your routine. Try different products but make sure you read what they do, and see if it’s something you need. Your core products like serums and moisturizers will remain the same (unless there’s a seasonal change then you want to update them too).

Exfoliants are good things to change up as well, BUT, make sure that they’re not too harsh on your skin. If you’re using them in the winter, I’d take a break from them because the upper layer of your skin will be that much more vulnerable to the cold!

Pro-Tip: You don’t have to commit to a full sized product when you want to try something new! Try a sample!

By giving your skin a break from your regular routine, you’re going to prevent the effects of your skincare from plateauing. Also remember that your skincare products aren’t “wonder” products. You can’t keep unrealistic expectations from your skincare.

Make sure to keep a healthy lifestyle to support the effects of your skincare. Skincare alone will do so much but coupled with a healthy lifestyle, will give you amazing results!

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