One of the reasons we don’t make samples is because it’s impossible to see results of a skincare treatment in just 2-3 days. And here comes one of the most frequent questions we get asked: how long do I have to wait to see if the product works for me? In order to understand the answer, let’s first understand how the skin works!
Do you know what every 28-40 days, on average, new skin cells are born in the deepest layer of the epidermis?
These cells travel up through the epidermis until they reach the uppermost layer of the skin. Ideally, new skin cells continue to arrive at the skin's surface, pushing older cells off from beneath. This happens over the entire body.
Our cell turnover rate changes throughout our life. Babies and young children have a faster cell turnover rate because they're growing quickly. That explains why little kids have such bright, soft, luminous-looking skin—their cell turnover rate is twice as fast as adults. They always have new skin cells on the surface.
As we age, our cell turnover rate slows down. That's why our skin never looks quite as "bright" as it did when we were younger.
Now, coming back to the initial question: when can I expect to see results from my skincare treatment?
Expecting overnight results from skincare will only set you up for disappointment. Skincare takes time because it works at a deeper cellular level.
As a general rule of thumb, you should wait at least one full skin cycle before jumping into any conclusions, and can expect to see real changes in your skin after between one to three months of consistent use of a skincare product.
This will change depending on the active ingredient you're working with.
Retinol and retinoids 6 weeks – 6 months
If you’re using it to treat acne, you’d have to use it consistently for 4 – 6 weeks to see any benefits or improvements.
It takes between 3 – 6 months to see results for wrinkles and ageing. This is because it takes much longer for your skin to increase collagen production than healing acne.
Vitamin C 3 weeks – 2 months
Topical vitamin C is a science-backed ingredient that prevents sun damage and improves the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.
You should see noticeable improvements within 3 weeks.
Hyaluronic Acid 28 days - 2 months
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the skin. It helps to bind water to collagen, trapping it in the skin, so that skin can instantly replenish moisture.
If you use it consistently for up to 8 weeks or more, you should start to see improvements in skin elasticity and skin smoothness.
Salicylic Acid 4 weeks - 2 months
Salicylic Acid is an important ingredient to help reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. It works by dissolving oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that clog your pores.
It takes at least one full skin cycle to start seeing the full effects including clearer, smoother skin.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) 2 months - 6 months
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) work by exfoliating or gently sloughing off the topmost layer of the skin. This exposes new and healthy skin cells and makes your skin more luminous.
AHAs may help to improve skin texture, fade dark spots, and reduce the visible signs of ageing within 2 months.