Ever wondered why those skincare products you bought have made their way to the very back of your bathroom cabinet? Did you simply get bored or frustrated because they did not deliver the expected results? Maybe they never really got the opportunity to fulfil their potential....
We use skincare in the hope of targeting a specific concern whether that’s boosting hydration, minimising lines and wrinkles or reducing inflamed acne. But it is essential to understand that most results are not achieved overnight. Read on to find out why sticking to a definitive routine can really pay off.
Why is consistency and patience so important?
Consistency and patience is key when using ‘active’ ingredients in your skincare routine.
I mainly focus on vitamin c, retinol and AHA/BHA when talking about actives as I feel these are the ingredients with the most clinical and scientific backing to date, that prove with prolonged use, they can really make a difference to the appearance of the skin and tackling key skin issues.
We don’t expect to go to the gym for a week and see a huge increase in our personal endurance and stamina levels, the same is applied to skincare ingredients. Desired results and skin progress take time.
If you commit to a great routine now, it will in the long term maintain the health of your skin.
Even if you don’t use active ingredients, a simple cleanse, tone, treat, hydrate and protect routine can really help you care daily for your skin health.
The Skin Cycle
Our skin cells on average shed around every 28 days, therefore, one skin cycle is 4 weeks. It can take at least 3-4 skin cycles to see a true improvement regarding the skins appearance and to gage the overall effectiveness of the product used. Certain retinoids can even take longer at 6-12 skin cycles (months) to ensure the desired results are achieved.
Quick Fix Skincare
We currently live in a world where we demand instant results and quick fixes when it comes to our appearance. There are only a handful of active ingredients within skincare that are clinically proven to perform, but even so they do not perform miracles over night, we have to make that commitment and use them on a regular basis to see results.
Some ingredients are used to temporarily enhance and improve the skins surface superficially. Think of primers and products that contain silicone and dimethicone.
These ingredients are used to smooth out your complexion and fill in any indentations like pitted acne scaring, wrinkles and large pores. However, overtime these synthetically created, spherical molecules are likened to the properties of plastic and although they can be used as a daily fix to create a smooth surface, over time it may cause more harm than good to your skin. This is because they can prevent the skin from functioning at the optimum levels expected, not to mention the impact they can have on the environment as they do not biodegrade when washed off the skin.
Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid can also make the skin feel instantly hydrated and more plumped in appearance when used in serum based formulations and will support the skins health long term too.
Professional and At-home Skin Treatments
Certain skin treatments can give short term solutions for example, if you have a special occasion approaching a professional microdermabrasion treatment a day or so before can help maximise the removal of dead skin cells and boost circulation to radiate a gentle glow to the skin with no down time required. A course of treatments would prove even more effective.
You can even indulge in an at home mini facial. After you have cleansed your skin, use an exfoliating mask that ideally contains AHAs or a gentle clay based mask to whisk off those surface dead skin cells and excess sebum. Once removed follow this with a 10-20 minute facial massage to encourage blood flow and release tension in tight facial muscles this will also relax facial contours. Skin will feel and look immediately plumped and rejuvenated!
Healthy skin - Taking a wholistic approach
Having a realistic expectation of what our skincare can achieve can go hand in hand with our own bodies ingenious ways of healing and repairing itself naturally, the skin will adapt and eventually rebalance itself, we just may need to take a different approach and treat ourselves on a wholistic level.
Our lifestyles and wellbeing in general can be responsible for our skin health as well as our genetic predisposition.
Factors that can contribute towards the maintenance of healthy skin are our sleeping habits, stress levels, mental attitudes, environmental exposure to free radical damage and what we choose to eat and drink.
Additional skin supplements and a good gut health can work wonders for a vibrant, healthy, glowing complexion.
Reflection
Most dermatologists and skincare specialists will be in agreement that a consistent skin care routine will benefit your skin in the long run.
Practicing good habits including sun protection will reduce the build up of melanin and the break down of collagen over the years ensuring the skins elasticity and overall tone remain intact.
Implementing a consistent skin care routine will result in skin that is happy and glowing. Studies have shown that it can also have a positive effect on your inner health and confidence too, so what are you waiting for....create a skin routine that works for you and stick with it until you see the results you want!
Remember to keep it simple and if you would like any advice I am more than happy to help. Leave your questions and comment below.
