It’s frustrating when a new purchase seems like a dud. Just as bad—or possibly worse—is when a tried-and-true favorite stops working altogether.
What now? What do you do when your skin care isn’t working?
Before you feel duped or defeated, remember that coming across the occasional roadblock is par the course of every skin care journey. All skin is unique, and though a cult favorite may not produce the same miracles on you as it does for others, not all is lost.
Here are five reasons why your skin care products might not be working—and how to fix it:
1. You’re not applying your skin care in the right order.
Layering comes down to a science that requires precision in the order of application. Apply incorrectly and you may be left wondering why you’re not getting results. The general rule is to apply products from thinnest to thickest in texture:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Facial Spray (optional)
- Eye Cream
- Serum
- Moisturizer/Face Cream
There are exceptions, of course (so refer to your product labels for specific directions), but the idea is to optimize absorption. Serums, for example, are highly concentrated formulas designed to address specific concerns. On that basis alone, they need to be applied closest to the skin in order to deliver fortified benefits efficiently and effectively. Face cream or moisturizer should then be applied on top to seal in the serum and guard against moisture loss.
To learn more about layering, read this comprehensive guide.
2. The change of seasons is affecting your skin.
Your solution? Listen to your skin and switch up your products accordingly. Is your skin feeling dry or more sensitive as the weather cools? Swap out your lightweight moisturizer for a richer face cream. Are you suddenly breaking out between seasons? Chances are, your skin is experiencing an imbalance, so adjust your regimen where needed and add one of these on-the-spot solutions to your routine to target blemishes. Does your skin appear oilier and congested? Use a clarifying astringent to remove all excess oil and add clay-based mask to your weekly routine for an effective deep-clean.
3. You’re not exfoliating.
If your skin isn’t clean, everything you do afterwards is pointless.
If you’re not exfoliating, dead skin cells and other impurities build up and clog your pores skin—which can leave your skin congested, uneven in texture, and prone to breakouts... and renders everything you apply thereafter pointless.
Moral of the story? Exfoliate regularly to help increase the efficacy of any skin care applied afterwards.
This is how often you should be exfoliating:
- 1-2 times per week for dry to combination or normal skin
- 2-3 times per week for combination to oily skin
Not exfoliating or not sure which scrub is best suited for our skin type? Use…
- Almond & Honey Face Scrub if you have dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
- Botanical Exfoliating Scrub no matter your skin type. If you love a granular scrub, this one’s for you!
- Strawberry Face Scrub if you have combo skin.
- Kiwi Face Scrub if you have relatively clear, combo/oily or oily skin.
- Glycolic Foaming Cleanser if you’re dry or oily. If you love an acid-based exfoliant, this will be a staple in your regimen
4. You’re using your products incorrectly.
We’ve all done it. In a haste of excitement, we apply with abandon, then wonder why we aren’t seeing the same results everyone else on Instagram is raving about. There’s always a chance that the product might not be right for your skin type, but there’s a lingering possibility that it could be.
Common mistakes include:
- Shaking the Drying Lotion.
- Not shaking the Buffering Lotion.
- Using the incorrect solution for the type of breakout you’re experiencing. Here’s a guide on the differences between Drying Lotion, Drying Cream, and Buffering Lotion.
When in doubt, ask us! Tweet or DM us with any questions.
5. Your perfect regimen is still out there, waiting.
Narrow down the endless options by taking our free skin analysis to find out which products are best suited for your skin type. Once you fill out the questionnaire, our skin specialists will customize a regimen based on your needs so you don’t have to do the guesswork.
It’s that simple.. . .
