The only thing worse than splurging on a new skincare product that doesn’t seem to be doing much is wasting months waiting for it to work it’s magic and having it fail. Results aren’t instant, but there are some obvious early signs that something is working or doing more harm than good, according to dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm. She explains that it could take three to four months to see improvements in skin appearance when trying a new product, but these are some dermatologist-approved signs it’s not working for you.
- Your skin is more rough, bumpy or dull after one month – Some products only show subtle signs that they’re not working for your skin, like bumps, roughness and dullness. If a month goes by and these things aren’t clearing up, cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Heidi Waldorf suggests changing your routine or parting with the product.
- Very dry or very oily skin after one month – You have to maintain hydration balance for healthy skin, so if your skin is too dry or too oily after a month, dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt says it could be because your product isn’t providing enough moisture, which can cause dryness or an overproduction of oil.
- Still breaking out after two months – Certain products may make you break out more at first because they encourage skin turnover, according to Dr. Sejal Shah. The dermatologist says these are generally products like retinoids or hydroxy acids that bring all the blackheads, whiteheads, cysts and other spots to the surface. If you’re still getting acne after two months – or it gets worse – with a product, it’s probably not working for you.
- It burns your skin when you apply it – Some products, like retinoids, may tingle a little when you start using them, but if you’re feeling intense burning or redness when you put a product on, Dr. Waldorf warns to stop using it immediately.
- You’re extremely itchy or have a rash – Dr. Baxt says if your skin develops a rash, is flakey or itchy, stop using the product and reassess. A rash could be the first sign of an allergic reaction, which could cause permanent skin damage over time, so don’t risk it! And when in doubt, see your dermatologist.
Source: Insider