4 Reasons why your skincare routine is not working
Some ingredients become popular for treating skin problems because they are often effective. But they may not be suitable for everyone. Just because a method is popular doesn’t mean it works for everyone. When you follow your skin routines you may also follow other people’s common recommendations for specific skin concerns, like salicylic acid treatments for acne or vitamin C serums for dullness.
It can be not only frustrating to your skin but also confusing when you come across a skincare solution that doesn’t solve your problem or worsens your skin condition. But the good news is that there is always another solution to a problem.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular skincare ingredients, why they might not work, and what alternatives you can try to get your skin back under control.
Salicylic acid and its substitutes
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that works by dissolving dead skin cells and unclogging pores. It treats both whiteheads and blackheads.
What it treats: Acne
The signs that show the ineffectiveness of this method are: Your acne does not go away and your skin is damaged.
Why it might not work: There are many reasons for acne—and if your acne is severe, salicylic acid may not be strong enough for you. Cystic acne needs something stronger than salicylic acid, says New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Debra Jelliman.
What to try instead: Fortunately, many ingredients work for acne. Facial acids, retinol, zinc, sulfur, and tea tree oil are positive alternatives. You may even want to try blue light therapy at home. However, if your acne is chronic and cystic, it is recommended that you see a dermatologist. They can prescribe a stronger treatment, such as a topical or antibiotic, to get your acne under control.
Niacinamide and alternatives
Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 that helps build protein in the skin and retain moisture.
What it treats: Wrinkles, sun damage, redness, acne and overall skin health
The signs that show the ineffectiveness of this method are: you don’t see any results and notice that your skin does not absorb the product and collects in the form of small balls on your skin. Also, if you experience redness, itching, or burning, you should stop using this medicine.
Why it might not work: If the product is lumpy on your skin, which means it’s not absorbing properly, and because it’s not, it’s not working. If you experience redness or burning, your skin is most likely sensitive to this ingredient.
What to try instead: If absorption is a problem, try a smaller amount and allow at least 2-5 minutes for the product to absorb into the skin, then layer with a moisturizer. do. If your skin reacts adversely to niacinamide, switch to a milder such as bakuchiol extract, rosehip seed oil, or facial acid. Since niacinamide can treat many skin problems, replacing this method with another depends on your goals.
Retinol and alternatives
Retinol is a retinoid, a compound derived from vitamin A that helps speed up the process of cell turnover in your skin, or the rate at which new skin cells replace old cells.
What it treats: Fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, aging and acne
Signs that this method isn’t working: You experience redness, dryness, flaking, or a burning sensation after using retinol.
Why it may not work: The truth is that retinol may be too active and strong for some people. So you must pay attention to its effectiveness.
What to try instead: If retinol is too harsh and irritating for your skin, try bakuchiol, a natural alternative. It mimics retinol to some extent due to its anti-aging properties, but unlike retinol, it is completely natural.
Vitamin C derivatives
Vitamin C is naturally present in the outer and inner layers of your skin and plays a role in collagen production. Vitamin C serums can be applied directly to the skin.
What it treats: Dullness, dark spots, improving elasticity
Signs that this method is not working: Vitamin C is known as a nutrient to affect skin health. But if you are allergic to a glass of orange juice, consuming vitamin C on your skin can also have the same effect on your skin, that is, contrary to popular belief, if consuming vitamin C on your skin, instead of improving your skin, it will cause irritation and dryness. or cause other negative reactions, it is a clear sign that this substance is not compatible with your skin.
Why it might not work: Like different brands of orange juice, there are various types of vitamin C. If you have sensitive skin, certain types of vitamin C may not work for you. “If you have sensitive skin, avoid vitamin C products containing L-ascorbic acid,” says Jaliman. Because your skin may be irritated or uncomfortable after using it. In case you don’t receive any results and you don’t notice any irritation or inflammation on your skin, your serum may be oxidized and need to be replaced. It can also happen if your serum has been open for a long time or it has been improperly stored or packaged. This is also possible if your scalp looks brown instead of yellow.
What to try instead: If L-ascorbic acid makes your skin react, try ascorbyl glucoside, a water-soluble derivative of vitamin C that’s gentler on the skin. If your vitamin C serum has oxidized, try replacing it.
Hyaluronic acid and increasing its effectiveness
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body’s connective tissue and is the main component of the skin’s structure. It has moisturizing and rejuvenating effects.
What it treats: Dryness and dehydration
Signs it’s not working: Your skin is still dry and dehydrated.
Why it might not work: Hyaluronic acid helps keep your skin hydrated by absorbing and retaining moisture, but that alone isn’t enough for hydrated skin. Jaliman says that hyaluronic acid alone cannot provide the moisture you need.
What to try instead: There’s no need to replace hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine. Just add high-moisturizing products to your routine. Replace your hyaluronic acid serum with a moisturizer or face oil to hydrate your skin.
Questions about the right product for your skin
There are many reasons why a particular product may not solve your skin problems.
1. Your product may have expired
If you keep a product in your cupboard for a long time, which is usually between 6 and 12 months depending on the product and its packaging, it can reduce its effectiveness and make it less likely that you will get the results you are looking for. You are less, there is. “Unfortunately, since product durability and quality tests are not mandatory, and over-the-counter cosmetics are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is no way for consumers to know if an over-the-counter product is safe,” says Balaraman. It arrives, how long does it last?
2. You have stored your products against the sun or in a humid area
“Keeping your products in the bathroom, where the temperature gets too high due to a hot shower, may alter the effectiveness of some ingredients,” explains Jaliman. “Extreme ambient temperatures may significantly affect product stability and performance.” This means it can make your product react, change appearance, and even function differently. For example, sunscreen products that overheat in a car may no longer be effective against UV rays or may cause skin irritation. Sometimes you even need to refrigerate your products the way you store food.
3. Your product does not have enough active ingredients
“It may be the right combination, but the concentration is so low that when some of it reaches the target area of the skin, it’s not enough to have an acceptable effect on the skin,” says Dr. Sipura. checking the ingredient list of your product before you dismiss an ingredient as ineffective for your skin. If the active ingredient you’re looking for is in the top five, there’s probably not enough of it in that product to see results.
4. The product is of poor quality
Poor quality ingredients can cause a product to not have the ability for treatment. Not all skincare products are created equal, and sometimes we see that, unfortunately, or fortunately, this difference in quality is fully reflected in the prices.
Poor ingredients, poor formulation, unstable molecules, or improper packaging are potential cases for quality control. For example, packaging in open glass can introduce too much oxygen and cause instability in the active ingredients.
If you’ve checked or eliminated any potential problems with the product, but the issue hasn’t been resolved, the product is likely ineffective or less effective due to an ingredient.
Visit a dermatologist
It is recommended to consult a skin and hair specialist. They can introduce you to specific tips and products to solve this problem.
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