You have been slathering on skincare products, but you are not seeing any results? It is tempting to be lured by "magic" creams and "game-changing" treatments, however not every ingredient will be the perfect fit for your skin. In reality, certain substances, particularly when used together, may do more harm than good. Here are several indicators that your skincare routine needs to be modified.
1. Hormonal Changes
Any major lifestyle or dietary changes can throw your hormones off and result in unfavourable skin disorders. Fluctuating hormone levels can cause changes in skin, such as increased sebum production, which can contribute to skin congestion. Hormonal acne is a skin condition caused by a hormonal imbalance. Menopause, Menstruation, PCOS, and elevated androgen levels are just a few of the many reasons why this happens. By increasing skin irritation, sebum production, and blocked skin cells in hair follicles, these hormone swings may worsen acne. At this point, no matter what you put on your skin or how many products you use, your skin will not be on your side.
Our advice?
Exercising regularly, avoiding sugar, managing stress, avoiding junk, getting proper sleep, and using supplements like Nyumi Core Immunity Gummies to fill in any nutritional gaps can all help to balance your hormones.
2. Your skin and the weather are not getting along
Your skincare routine is dictated by the climatic conditions as well as your skincare concerns. During the winter, humidity levels are low, leaving the skin sensitive to dryness. Harsh summers with severe heat frequently result in increased sweat and sebum production. As a result, heavier moisturising creams used in the winter may feel overly heavy on the skin. As a result, more breathable textures may be desired, resulting in a more comfortable product sensation on the skin. Humidity is a critical component that affects the skin and must be considered while selecting the proper formulations.
Our advice ?
To get the most out of it, adjust your products and regimen according to the weather. During the summer, stick to a light routine and products. A light sunscreen and hydrator, such as the Kal Hans Naturals Daily Moisture Sun Protection Lotion, is a lightweight formula that not only protects your skin from UV rays but also hydrates, leaving it feeling light and moisturised. During the winter, for a more intensive routine with products like the Suganda Calendula Oat Cream Moisturiser, which helps repair and prevent dry skin.
3. You are layering your products incorrectly
Layering products in the correct order is essential. It is one thing to use the appropriate products; it is another to use them correctly. It is also vital to use the products in a specific order when developing your skincare routine. If you skip a step, it is likely for your routine to show less to no results at all. If you have got this right and your routine still is not showing any results, it is because you are not following the right order of your products. Like using Retinol and AHAs or Benzoyl Peroxide together as they deactivate each other. Or using Retinol and Vitamin C in the same routine and Retinol or AHAs/ BHAs in the same routine can make things worse than better.
Our advice?
After cleansing, we recommend layering your products, from thin to thick, starting with the lightest formula and working your way up to the heaviest one. A good thumb rule? Toner, Serum, spot treatment, moisturiser and sunscreen in the day. This allows serums and light formulas to permeate the skin without the need for heavier formulations to do so. Allowing adequate time between product applications to let the product absorb and dry before moving on to the next is also suggested.
4. Your products have expired and you are not storing them correctly
Most products expire for a variety of reasons, and keeping an eye on the expiration date is critical for your skincare routine to operate and not go awry. Looking for the product after opening (PAO) sign on the product label is the best method. The PAO looks like a jar with the lid open, and it tells you how long you have until a product expires, generally in months. Another way to detect if the oil and water separated, formulations smell differently and have changed colour. If your products are improperly stored and exposed to heat, they may expire sooner. For example, Vitamin C goes bad when exposed to direct heat and air, making it ineffective.
Our advice?
Once every 2-3 months, check your product's expiration date. Read the product's label for storage directions, but it's best to store your skincare out of direct sunlight and in a cold, dry place.
5. Inconsistency in your routine
Being inconsistent with anything you do does not get you the desired results and so is the case with skincare. Many of us have purchased popular, expensive serums, moisturisers, toners, or beauty tools in the hopes of getting a positive result, only to use them a few times before declaring them useless. We humans are so naive when it comes to a magic potion and miracle ingredients that we expect immediate effects. Actual effects will not appear overnight; consistency will always be essential to its sufficiency. If you happen to skip products consistently, that is also something that will not give you results.
Our advice?
Use your product regularly for at least 30-45 days to see any visible results and fight the skin concern you are targeting. Being consistent with your products is key. Applying a product as needed or prescribed regularly will help you achieve the results you are looking for. Read more about how long you should wait before trying a new product here
6. Medications
Depending on whether you are starting a new medication or already on one, certain reactions between hidden or active ingredients, medicines, and cosmetic products can range from moderately irritating to brutally painful. It is vital to know how a lotion, primer, serum, or other skincare product will interact with your current medications before putting it to your face's skin in case of a bad reaction. That is most likely why your skincare is not working.
Our advice?
A few medications that have negative reactions with skincare products are Acne medications, Antihistamines, Antibiotics, Antifungals, Anti-inflammatory drugs, Psychiatric medications, Painkillers/Narcotics, Birth control and contraceptive medications. These are the ones that can cause allergic reactions, thus speaking with a dermatologist before using any skincare product is recommended.
7. You are not using the right products for your skin type
Each of us has a unique skin type and texture. If you read positive reviews about a cream on the internet, make sure it's appropriate for your skin type first. You should select products based on your skin type and the issues you want to address. Let's take a closer look at this.
Products according to your skin type:
1. Oily Skin
All products for oily skin types should be non-comedogenic, which means they will not clog pores. Look for active chemicals like Sulphur, Retinol, and Salicylic Acid on labels to help your oil glands operate more regularly. On oily skin types, milder formulations are also more likely to be tolerated. Serums, gels, and lotions (preferably water-based), as opposed to creams and ointments.
Our recommendation?
- Daughter Earth AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Cleanser rich in Coco-Glucoside, Kaolin Clay, Sugar Cane Sweet Cherry and Strawberry that gently cleanses the skin, helps maintain oil balance and nourishes your skin.
- Neemli Naturals Hyaluronic & Oat Amino Acid Moisturiser with Oat Amino Acid and Hyaluronic acid that moisturises and hydrates your skin at the same time maintaining the adequate oil and water balance which is needed.
- SkinPot.Co Intense-Repair Hydration Serum is a light-weight formula with Vitamin C and Copper Peptide that penetrates deep into your skin and helps hydrate your skin
- Anour Mud Pie Clay Mask with Charcoal controls oil and removes dirt from your skin while also soothing it.
2. Dry Skin
For dry skin types, it is important to choose products that hydrate and moisturise without stripping the outer layer of your skin. Look for moisturising elements like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Ceramides, which help the skin's protective barrier to be restored.
Our recommendation?
- FAI Hydrating Low PH Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera Extract and Green Tea extract that gently cleanses your skin without stripping away your skin’s natural barrier while leaving it hydrated.
- Rustic Art Organic Moisturising Day Fluid With Vitamin C, a waterproof formula that nourishes and keeps you fresh all day long.
- Dr. Sheth's Dry Skin Duo is curated especially for you to hydrate and repair your skin. The duo contains Dr. Sheth’s Basic Brightening Daily Cleanser and Dr. Sheth’s Cica and Ceramide Overnight Repair Serum.
3. Sensitive Skin/ Acne-prone skin
When nerve endings in the top layer of skin become irritated, you know you have sensitive skin.. This happens when the natural barrier of your skin is impaired or broken as a result of a trigger or underlying problem. For these skin types, less is more, ingredients that calm and soothe your skin such as Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Rose, Jojoba Oil and Tea Tree Oil for Acne-prone skin.
Our recommendation?
- Juicy Chemistry Organic Hemp, Tea Tree & Neem Face Wash with Lavender that soothes your skin and Neem and Tea Tree Oil that helps fight acne.
- Fiducia Botanicals Hemp & Rose Otto Facial Lotion with Linoleic acid ideal for acne-prone skin.
Still confused about what skin type you fall under? Take this skin test.
Try skin fasting
While slathering your skin in serums and acids may appear to be fun and effective, your skin sometimes just needs to be left alone for a while which is critical for maintaining healthy-looking skin. Its goal is to detoxify the skin without the use of any products or ingredients. Once you have established a routine of products that cover the essentials, making changes and exchanging items based on evolving skin concerns is simple.
Our advice?
Do a skin fast, give yourself a week or two off from skincare and just cleanse, moisturise, and wear sunscreen. Before diving into extra corrective and preventive treatments, take a step back and examine your routine to be sure you are performing the basics correctly. All skincare routines should include the basics of adequate washing and moisturising.
If your regimen is still not working after all of this, it is because taking a break is occasionally necessary!
-Nishita Tahalramani
