How to Know if a Skincare Product is Working

You can spend time researching the right products for your skin texture and money on skin products that you think will work, but how can you really tell if the new lotion that's taking up space on your bathroom shelf is working for your skin type? Identifying the effectiveness of your routine can be difficult. What if that ‘miracle’ ingredient you'd sought after actually makes your skin worse? We put our beauty questions to the experts to find out what to look for when browsing those skincare categories! 

Is Your Skincare Product Working? 

First things first, when buying a skincare product, it's important to understand the type of skin you have and what you're hoping to achieve from a product, as Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics and cosmetic dermatologist, explains. "For example, you wouldn't buy a range aimed at over 40s just because that's your age – you should be looking at whether you need skin products aimed at sensitive skin, dry skin or oily skin, whether you need acne treatments, or if you want to lessen the appearance of fine lines," he says. "My advice is to allow at least two to three weeks for a new product or skincare routine to do its work. Yes, there may be a small amount of sensitivity when using something new, but it does take time to see the benefits: up to six to eight weeks. However, stop using the product if your skin is incredibly irritated after a few days." 

So, how do you know if it's working? "Healthy skin is clean, moisturised, smooth, soft to touch, and has an even tone," says Kavitha Murugesan, our in-house biochemist and Technical Director. "If your skin fits this description after trying a product, you'll know it's having its desired effect." 

What Are The Signs A Product Is Not Working? 

Some of the biggest tell-tale signs that your skin needs a helping hand are dryness, dark spots, clogged pores, flare-ups, or persistent acne. If you're Googling 'why is my face burning and stinging?' it might be worth reaching for a wet flannel, pronto. This adverse reaction can sometimes be caused by your new skincare product. "When you're new to using a high-strength active key ingredient such as vitamin A; vitamin C; and alpha, beta and polyhydroxy acids, you may experience some tingling and purging, especially if you have sensitive skin," Kavitha tells us. 

If you do have sensitive skin, it may be worth doing a patch test before using the product to avoid any adverse reactions. Then, you can slowly phase the skincare into your routine, as Kavitha explains: "Start using the formula once a week, and progress towards applying on alternative days until your skin cells have agreed with the active ingredients." Of course, always check the ingredient list before you buy a new product, in case there is an irritating ingredient that could cause an issue. Don’t forget, we also offer unscented versions of Morning Mist and Smoothing Cleanser that better suit those with sensitive skin! 

What active ingredients should you be looking for in your beauty products? "At any age, it’s important to look after your skin," Dr Perry tells us. "You need to protect it from environmental factors, such as sun exposure, so an SPF of 30+ year round is recommended. Avoid excess alcohol, smoking, poor diet and make sure you look after yourself in terms of stress and sleep. As skin matures, you might like to look for youth-enhancing, rejuvenating ingredients that help with fine lines and wrinkles, such as retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid based products." Try Skin Feast Nourishing Moisturiser and Rainforest Dew, which both feature hydrating hyaluronic acid, Glow Berry, which is bursting with vitamin C, and Skin Dream Firming Night Cream, packed with bio-retinol, a plant-based alternative to retinol. 

So, if you’ve recently started using a new product and want to know if it’s working for you, firstly allow up to six to eight weeks for it to work its magic. Look out for some common signs that it might not be right for your skin type, such as dryness and flare-ups, and always patch test before starting to use something new!