We all know the saying "Rome wasn’t built in a day.", but we don't like to remember it when we start a new skincare routine..
It may be tempting to give up on a new regimen when we don't get results within a few days, or even worse when we get a reaction like breakouts or mild irritation. If this is happening to you right now, let me just say this; There is no such thing as an overnight beauty fix and any new skincare routine requires patience.
Remaining calm, and toning down the desire for quick results in order to get more favourable ones at a later time is going to serve you, and your complexion, very well. Here are a few reasons why this is so;
Skin cell turnover
Generally, it takes approximately 30 days for our skin cells to turn over, (this timeframe is longer the older you get, and could be even longer depending on your genes, diet, habits and the current state of your skin), which means that almost all skincare products should be used for at least one month of use before you see desirable results.
It may sound like a lifetime to any beauty junkie, but when it comes to dermatology, this waiting period is very reasonable simply because during this time, the average adult skin cells will start forming from deep within the dermal layers before making their way to the skin’s surface where they eventually die and shed.
As the cells travel, they mature and strengthen over time to be strong enough by the tie they get to the outer surface of the skin. By the time the cells are exposed, they’re strong and healthy enough to form part of the barrier function that protects the body from toxins and locks in moisture. In short, any skincare products are competing on a genetic level, so letting them work their magic will take considerable time (and patience).
What is ‘skin purging’ and why does it happen?
But what happens when you’ve placed huge expectations on your new skincare to deliver glowing results, only for there to be zero improvement after a couple of days of use? In actuality, your complexion now looks worse. This is what experts call “skin purging” - a reaction to an active ingredient that is causing an increased skin cell turnover rate, or a decongestion of the build up of comedones and dead cells that have accumlated in the pores over time.. It’s common for new skincare to cause more breakouts than usual, as to expose the fresh skin cells underneath the surface, there needs to first be an elimination of any excess sebum, flakes, and any other backed up bacteria. This is particularly common with products containing active ingredients, such as our Acne Kit, or the Rejuvena Kit, so it is important to keep this in mind during the application process and to surrender to the purge, because there is no way you can skip this stage altogether, despite your best efforts. Rest easy in the knowledge that it will definitely run its course, and you will have the complexion of your dreams!
The key ingredient to skincare is patience!
Say it with us - patience is a virtue, and skin that has had ample time to experience the efficacy of any new products used is the ultimate prize at the finish line. Some ingredients will work quicker than others, such as physical exfoliants, moisturizers and cleansers, however the general rule of thumb is to wait, particularly if you are targeting a specific skin concern like acne or hyperpigmentation.
Repeatedly changing or introducing new products into your routine is not just expensive, it is detrimental to any progress you ay want to see in your skincare journey. Altogether, you just might end up with worse skin than hen you started just because of the level of confusion that has been introduced to your system.
At the end of the day, consistency and going slow will work better than any secret ingredient or beauty hack.