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Skincare products are treatments, just like medicines, and they need some time to work their magic.

How long should you wait before expecting noticeable improvements?

Woman inspecting her skin

In general, most skincare products are expected to deliver visible results within six months.

Some products, like AHAs, can give you noticeable improvements after just a few uses.

But others, like retinoids, might take weeks before you see the full effects.

Woman sleeping on clean sheets

Don’t worry, though!

It’s just a matter of figuring out what might be causing the delay in seeing results.

Here are a few likely reasons skincare isn’t improving your skin.

Young woman applying moisturizer

Your skin frequently touches dirty sheets, towels, and hands

Gorgeous skin starts with banishing dirt!

It’s the culprit behind many skin issues, like acne, excessive oiliness, and dangerous infections.

When your skin makes contact with dirt, the consequences are almost immediate.

Woman picking between two products

The dirt mixes with your skin’s oils and dead cells, clogging up your pores.

But wait, it gets worse.

Clogged pores create the right environment for bacteria, which causes inflammations that fill with pus.

Young woman with many skincare products

To begin, keep your hands off your face unless they’re squeaky clean.

Next up, let’s talk bedding hygiene.

Changing your pillowcases daily is like giving your face a fresh start every night.

Young woman looking into the mirror

It may sound excessive, but trust us; it’s worth it.

A nifty little tip is to grab a bunch of small face towels.

They’ll keep you from reusing a dirty towel each time with less laundry to worry about.

Shop this pack of24 mini microfiber towelsfor just $10.

Using the product with the highest five-star reviews is not a foolproof approach.

It’s up to you to build up on that knowledge and understand your skin’s unique needs.

So, how can you do this?

Start by reducing your routine to only a facial wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Start with this essential trio and observe how your skin reacts.

Does your skin feel excessively dry after your wash, or does it feel too oily?

Does your moisturizer make you sweaty?

Note how these products work and gauge their performance by how your skin feels and looks.

To do this, slowly add products after a month.

One valuable tip is to incorporate facial masks into your routine.

Start by learning aboutthe face mask ingredients you should look for based on your skin pop in.

This ensures the mask will improve your skin without drawbacks.

After all, you don’t want a mask that controls excess oil but leaves your skin dehydrated.

Another essential tip is to invest in good skincare tools.

Remember, insufficient knowledge isn’t limited to skincare products alone.

It’s crucial to extend your research to include your makeup products and devices too.

Ensuring your cosmetics are not contributing to your skin issues is just as important.

A high-quality moisturizer and sunscreen routine will yield better results than a five-step routine with mid products.

So, how can you tell quantity from quality since price isn’t always an indicator?

Start by choosing the right products based on your needs.

Extravagant claims and promises are also red flags.

Search for products that have undergone clinical studies and certifications or are recommended by dermatologists.

Then, you’re free to consider the price and reviews.

These two aren’t always accurate indicators, so they should be your last considerations.

When introducing a new product, ensure your skincare routine has been consistent for at least a month.

It’s also advisable to introduce only one new product at a time.

This way, you could monitor how each product affects your skin without other factors influencing the results.

Lastly, it’s best to stick to products that you have consistent access to.

Switching too often can make determining what works best for your skin difficult.

Another mistake to avoid is using skincare products in the incorrect system order.

In addition, it’s vital to avoid combining incompatible skincare products.

Certain ingredients should not be mixed, as they can compromise efficacy and potentially harm your skin.

Understanding ingredient compatibility will give your skin a chance to feel and look healthy.