Why Changing Up Your Skincare Routine Too Often Can Hurt Your Skin
It’s really hard to resist the euphoria you feel when you buy and try new skincare products. No matter how established and reliable your daily routine is, there’s something so magical about those “Just Got It!” emails. They turn all our arms to rubber.
But are we (our wallets, our minds, our skin, everything) better off if we commit to a long-term relationship with our skincare? Are we wasting results if we change up our routine too often?
To set the record straight, I asked Sieanna Pardi, a dermatologist at North Sydney Dermatology and founder of Raw Skin Insider, a bunch of questions.
How long after launching a new product will I start seeing skincare results?
“Your skin care routine is like starting a new healthy habit. Good habits and routines take time to see results. The same rule applies to your skin care routine; my rule is that you need to care for your skin for at least three months before you see healthy changes.
Our skin takes 28 days to complete cell turnover, the older we get, the slower the epidermal cells react, so 28 days becomes 38, 48, 58… The first and easiest change you can make to see results is to invest in the right cleansers and moisturizers. The next step to improving your daily habits is to use a serum. (Remember, serums contain active ingredients that need time to penetrate deep enough into the skin to see a noticeable difference. Another reason why it’s important to wait three months when testing new products.)
What happens to my skin during this time?
“During this time, what is called detoxification may occur. This can happen whenever we introduce a new product in our skin care routine. Detoxification is defined as the process by which your skin adjusts to the new ingredients, and this change may result in more breakouts. The skin may feel oilier for a while, and the texture may also feel a little rough. This is completely normal during the first 6-8 weeks after introducing a new product.
This is because your skin cells are now turning over faster than usual. I would say, out with the old, in with the new you! For some people, the opposite effect may occur and their skin will immediately feel amazing. ”
How do I really know if my skin is liking the product?
“In simple terms, your skin will start to look and feel better. When your skin starts to change and you notice more activity on the surface or see subtle changes visually, such as: increased radiance, increased skin brightness, less inflammation and redness, oiliness starting to appear, some breakouts (think cleansing), smoother texture, skin is more resistant to environmental factors. That’s good.
But if you notice: increased inflammation, irritation, tenderness, dryness, cystic breakouts. That’s not good. You should stop using these products and consult your trusted dermatologist immediately. ”
Let’s say after three weeks I change my mind and try a different product. What does this do to my skin?
“You’re not letting the product or your skin work its magic! And it’s causing more harm than good. If you change your products and your routine too often, you’re tricking your skin and forcing you to make too many changes. Continuous use of all these different formulas/ingredients tends to negatively impact the skin barrier and make skin issues worse.
Treat your skin like you would your gut. You wouldn’t eat a buffet every night, try a little of this, a little of that, so why do the same for your skin? Nourishing your gut with whole food ingredients as much as you can reasonably will make you feel well nourished. So do the same for your skin. ”
So when does it make the most sense to update your routine?
“If it’s working for you, there’s no reason to change. You should only change your routine if you’ve switched your skincare to stronger or more active ingredients as recommended. You can update your routine if your skin issues change (not just because everyone else is using the latest serum), if you’re no longer seeing results, or if you feel like your skin isn’t getting the nutrients it needs.
However, keep in mind that most skin types also need to adjust their routines based on the seasons. I always have a winter and summer routine. Environmental changes can cause our skin to get drier in the winter and oilier in the summer. It’s always good to have two care routines to support our skin through the ever-changing seasons and lifestyles. ”
Stick to what you know (and love!) and your skin will thank you.
