5 Signs Your Skincare Routine Isn’t Working For You
Having a solid skincare routine is crucial if you want to have better skin. It’s easy to get swayed by self-proclaimed beauty gurus or social media influencers and fall into the trap of buying the products they’re raving about without a second thought, but it’s important to remember that people have different skin types, and sometimes, a skincare product that gives someone clear and glowing skin might cause you to break out even more.
It’s normal to feel impatient when you’re starting on a new skincare product. Hey, I get it. You’re excited to see results, but keep in mind that there will be a period of adjustment when using skincare products for the first time so just give it a few weeks or so.
But your skin is an amazing thing that can send signals to let you know if the product you’re using is not working.
Below are 5 signs that your skincare routine isn’t working for you and how to fix it:
Irritated skin
If your face becomes red, itchy, or has a burning sensation, then that’s your skin’s way of signaling you that it has come into contact with an irritant. If this happens, the best way to do damage control is by stopping the use of the product that caused your skin to be irritated. If you have started using 2 or more products at the same time and you’re not sure which one is the culprit, then stop using both products and switch to a gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
To avoid this catastrophe, do a patch test first before adding a product to your skincare routine.
You break out even more
There are some skincare products that may trigger an initial breakout or “purge” due to increased cell turnover, a process that helps bring up fresh skin cells and reveal clearer skin. But before this can happen, excess sebum, buildups, and clogged pores get pushed up to the surface.
If after the adjustment period, you’re still experiencing breakouts, then maybe it’s time to try something else.
Your skin feels tight after cleansing
It’s a common misconception that a squeaky-clean feeling after washing your face is a good sign that your skincare product is working. The truth is, it’s a very telling sign that the product you’re using is stripping your skin of its natural oils and that you most likely have compromised your skin’s barrier.
When you strip your skin of the necessary oils, what happens is that its sebum production goes into overdrive producing excess oil and possibly causing even more skin problems.
You are not seeing any improvement
This one is very obvious. If after the adjustment period has passed and you’re still not seeing any signs of improvement, then it’s time to cut your losses and try another product.
You forget or you become too lazy to do your skincare routine
Maybe you got caught up with all the latest trending skincare products and bought everything your favorite beauty influencer recommended, or you simply wanted to see if that 10-step Korean skincare will give you glass skin, the tendency is that you will eventually get tired of all the steps and just not bother going through your skincare routine.
When building a skincare routine, also take into consideration the kind of lifestyle you have. If you’re always on the go, then maybe something more pared-down will suit you better.
Building a skincare routine that works for you is not as easy as it sounds. You have to go through trial and error, test products one at a time to see how your skin reacts to them and how they react with your other skincare products, which really does take up a lot of your time and money.
If time and money are something you can’t afford to lose much of, then consulting an esthetician is something you should consider.
Spela Hernandez, the woman behind Spalina Skincare is a licensed esthetician who has over 15 years of experience helping countless women achieve beautiful, glowing skin using both a holistic and science-based approach to skincare. If you’re ready to stop wasting your time and money, and ready to achieve the best skin of your life, book an online consultation here!
