Things to Check If Your Skincare Isn't Working

I’ve lost count of the skincare products that didn’t live up to their promises. Some either stung my face immediately or slowly broke me out, or, at best, did nothing at all. More often than not, I’d think, “This doesn’t even work.”

If you’ve had similar experiences, you’re probably asking yourself, “Why isn’t my skincare working?”

But you know what I’ve come to realize after years of trial and error? I hate to break it to you, but most of the time, it’s not the product’s fault that it didn’t show any anticipated results. It’s the fact that we haven’t been focusing on the root problem of our skin.

And below are six of the things that you have to keep in check if your current products aren’t being as effective as they should be:

1. Is it for your skin type?

Photo designed by Freepik.com

Determining your skin type and pre-existing skin issues (if any) could be slightly overwhelming if you’re not that knowledgeable when it comes to skincare products. But in reality, hyper-targeting your skin concerns and buying products specifically meant or tailored for you from a dermatologist will definitely transform your skin.

Most of the time, you’ll benefit more from reading the back of the label to see all the ingredients rather than relying on what was marketed. You don’t want to end up buying a hyped up aloe vera moisturizer and complain that it didn’t do anything for your extremely dry skin when you could’ve bought something that’s richer and thicker in consistency and packed with a ton of moisturizing benefits. 

2. Has your skincare reached its “limit”?

Photo designed by Freepik.com

There’s an in-depth video from content creator board-certified dermatologists Dr. Muneeb Shah and Dr. Luke Maxfield, or more famously known as Doctorly, discussing how your skin could hit a “plateau” or a wall where your skin might seem stagnant. Meaning, if you’re utilizing a “basic” regimen, unless you’re experiencing irritation, your skin may not show dramatic changes, but it still benefits from continued use of effective products.

To help your skin improve further, try incorporating actives, get professional treatments, or invest in at-home devices to give your skin an extra leg-up depending on your skincare goals.

3. Have you been using it as frequently as needed?

Photo designed by Freepik.com

You’ve only been using your moisturizer or exfoliating toner for two weeks. But before your frustration gets the better of you, don’t give up just yet, as some products can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to show visible results.

Yes, months, because your skin is also undergoing regeneration. Your products might be penetrating the deeper layers of your skin, and the effects wouldn’t be too evident until a few weeks later. So you have no choice but to be extra patient unless you’re having adverse, alarming effects, then you either have to immediately stop or get your skin professionally checked.

4. What changed in your lifestyle?

Designed by Freepik.com

So many factors come into play when we talk about lifestyle. This covers your current environment, whether it’s extremely cold or dry, or humid, as it can affect your skin barrier’s health, making it more vulnerable. 

Your skin will definitely merit extra protection. Moreover, stress could throw everything off-balance. If you’re stressed, your hormones become erratic, and your physical functions follow through in which whatever you feel on the inside, it might reflect on the outside. All these factors affect how your skin responds to your products.

5. Do you have enough UV protection?

Photo by Jasmin Chew 

It is common knowledge that UV exposure weakens the skin barrier and worsens many skin concerns, such as hyperpigmentation and premature aging. It can aggravate a lot of preexisting conditions. So even if you use products that cater to your skin issues, you’re risking worsening your case instead of treating it. Keep in mind that sun protection locks in the benefits of your skincare and prevents further damage.

6. Are you layering your products correctly?

Designed by Freepik.com

I can’t tell you how mortified I am when I watched some celebrities layering their skincare incorrectly, given the fact that many audiences idolize or look up to them. If I remember correctly, I watched a celebrity YouTube video one time applying another toner after applying her sunscreen; others even mix two products together. *facepalm*

The general rule of thumb is to layer products from the thinnest to the thickest consistency, but it still depends on the efficacy that you want to achieve. Other dermatologists recommend applying a layer of occlusive first to minimize the potency or potential irritation of a product that you’re newly introducing to your skin, like an active serum or a prescription product. 

What I personally like to do for this method is to wait until a product is completely dry before applying the next one. So just remember how much you want your product to take effect, depending on your layering method.

Just make sure that sunscreen comes last during the daytime.

You will save yourself from further disappointments once you have a clearer understanding of your skin and the method of how you apply your products. Next time, don’t rush out to buy the next big thing that’s in your feed without knowing how it works. 

And before giving up on a product, ask yourself: Could one of these be why it’s not working?