How long does it take to see results from skin care? Welcome to Dear Soko, a series dedicated to answering your biggest skin care questions with advice from Soko Glam’s skin experts. Whether you’re confused about specific ingredients or what you need to do to achieve healthier skin overall, these experts are here to guide you.
This week’s question comes from Emilie, who has asked the following on a previous Dear Soko about about combining acids in skin care:
“I am not seeing great results with my routine. I’ve been following the steps diligently for the past two months, both morning and at night. I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong.”
Here’s Soko Glam’s skin expert’s answer
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Dear Emilie,
Oh, I know this feeling — disappointment.
It can be disappointing when you’ve spent weeks researching what’s best to use, only to find that it’s doing… nothing.
Don’t fret, here are some tips:
Pay attention – Try to understand your skin type and what you’re up against. Then find out the ingredients that will help you and make sure they’re in the products you’re using. Some ingredients work great for some people, but the same ingredients may not have the same effects on others.
For instance, if you want brightening but you’re sensitive to Vitamin C, look for alternative brightening ingredients like rice extracts, niacinamide, and licorice.
Research – Remember, everyone’s skin is uniquely their own. Other people’s holy grail may not be yours. Different skin types may affect how certain products work; and some products may pair better with others or completely cancel out each other’s benefits. There’s no one miracle product that can fix all of your concerns, sometimes it may take a whole army.
Read: Your Complete Guide on Which Double Cleanse Products to Use Based On Your Skin Concern
The Best Acid to Use For Your Skin Type
The Skin Care Ingredients You Shouldn’t Mix
Be consistent – Give a product time to do it’s job. Have a home base routine, and when introducing a new product into your routine, allow at least 3 weeks to see results. No matter what your home base routine is, make sure it includes an SPF; this is non-negotiable.
Read: Charlotte Cho’s 3 Best Tips on What to Expect When You Start Your K-beauty Routine
Set expectations – Depending on the skin concern and the product you’re using, it may take up to 3 months to see results; here’s looking at you Vitamin C and Retinols. As corny as this sounds, skin care is most definitely a marathon and not a sprint; you will not see instant gratification here.
Read: How Long Should it Take to See Results From Different Skin Care Products?
Skin care is all about trial and error; and may take some time to see what works for you. Don’t give up!
Warmly,
Your Skin Expert
+ What do you think? How long does it take to see results from skin care? Share the next question we should answer in the next Dear Soko below!
