7 reasons why your skincare isn’t working
Is your skincare doing the opposite of caring for your skin? From using the wrong products for your skin type to applying expired ingredients, we look at the mistakes that might be holding you back from real results.
Finding products that work for your skin can feel exhausting. With so many options in cosmetic, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical skincare, it’s no wonder that we rarely hit the jackpot when it comes to seeing results. But skincare can take time to work it’s magic, with moisturizers having a much faster effect than acne treatments for example.
These are some of the reasons why your skincare might not be delivering on its promises:
1. Your environment has changed
Many factors including climate, air conditioning, hard water and central heating can have an impact on your skin. You may want to consider more hydrating products in winter, when cold air and wind can dry out your skin, and using a higher factor of SPF in summer when the sunlight is stronger.
2. Your routine is lacking consistency
If you’re intermittently using a skincare product, your skin doesn’t have enough time to adapt and can react to the constant changes in levels of exfoliation and hydration, leading to oiliness or dryness. It’s important to pay attention to the suggested instructions, such as using retinols at night because they increase skin sensitivity to light, and applying SPF in the morning and throughout the day.
SKIN FILTER delivers all the benefits of retinol without the risk of sensitivity as it's an ingestible supplement: it delivers almost 50% of your daily Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, a natural and safe precursor to Vitamin A, which stimulates fibroblasts—the cells responsible for developing tissue that keeps skin firm and healthy at the deepest layer.
3. You’re not using active ingredients
An active ingredient is one approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to perform a specific function for a specific condition, directly targeting an issue like acne or pigmentation. These include AHAs, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid. Although inactive ingredients are important in carrying the active ones, using skincare that is low or lacking in actives can mean you’re not getting the results you’re expecting due to superficial formulations.
4. You’re exfoliating ineffectively
When skin is dry, our first thought is usually to apply rich moisturizers. However, this can saturate the dead skin cells on the surface, preventing hydration from penetrating the skin and clogging pores which can lead to blackheads, whiteheads and acne.
One of the best ways to restore brightness to skin is through exfoliation, as it helps to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, revealing the new ones underneath. Alpha-hydroxy acids are a form of chemical exfoliant that work to dissolve and loosen dead skin cells, allowing hydrating ingredients to penetrate effectively.
5. You’re using the wrong products for your skin
As we age, our skin’s lipid barrier breaks down. Lipids (also known as skin oils) only make up 10-15% of the outer layer of skin, but they play the biggest role in the overall health of the skin, helping to protect the structure and preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The essential skin lipids consist primarily of free fatty acids, cholesterol and waxy lipid molecules called ceramides. Recent research shows ceramides have the biggest impact on the quality of the lipid barrier. While all lipids are important, the absence or an imbalance of ceramides leads to problems with the skin. Conditions associated with an impaired lipid barrier include acne, atopic eczema, psoriasis, dry skin and prematurely aged skin.
So as we age, if we’re not focusing on skincare that incorporates ceramides and collagen (which helps to strengthen skin) like our SKIN HYDRATOR supplement, we can be more susceptible to wrinkles and dryness.
Consulting a professional like a dermatologist or aesthetician can be really helpful for identifying your skin type and addressing specific skin concerns.
6. You’re applying too many products
If your products aren’t working in harmony with each other, the ingredients in them could be cancelling out the others’ effects, or—if you’re not cleansing and exfoliating effectively—sitting on the surface of the skin without reaching the deeper levels of the epidermis.
7. The ingredients in your skincare have degraded
Skincare can expire just like food can. Antioxidants such as vitamin C are particularly unstable and can oxidize when exposed to air, losing their potency—which is why we use a powdered form for TOPICAL-C that doesn't activate until you're ready to use it. Acids can also get stronger past their expiration date, causing potential sensitivity and irritation.
Unopened, our recyclable, dark glass bottle helps to preserve the formula of THE PILL naturally for two years, without the need for toxic preservatives. Once opened, we recommend using within six months, which shouldn’t be a problem as it’s designed to be used daily.
Our new all-in-one serum THE PILL changes the appearance of your skin in 3 minutes and the health of your skin in 6 weeks, using the power of collective action: 27 non-toxic ingredients with potent actives, clinical acids and nutrients from the earth, designed for all skin types and ages. Shop now.