When you start a new skincare regime, one of the first things you want to know is when you will see results. As many skin brands have evolved over the years, moving with science and technology, our understanding of the use of daily skincare has increased significantly, but an instant win isn't always what's best for your skin in the long run.

The answer is that it really depends on the following:

• What skincare brand you're using and the ingredient quality
• What skin conditions or concerns you have
• How much time you have to spend each day on your skincare routine

We would love to tell our clients that they will see results within a few hours, but our honest answer is realistically this may not be the case - it is going to take time. Some products work quicker than others so patience really is key when it comes to starting a new skincare routine. Do consider your skin concern you are hoping to treat. For example, if your concern is deeper in the epidermis of the skin; you will need to give your skin time for it to rise up through the layers to the surface, to finally slough off.

First and foremost, skincare is an investment. We understand that when you are not getting the results they had hoped to see in a short period of time, it can be frustrating. Everyone nowadays lives a busy life and some look for that quick fix and hope for instant results. However, a powerful, medical skincare brand does take time to work. When you introduce a new product to your skin, it needs time to adjust.

Looking for expert skincare advice? Book your free online skincare consultation now, or read on to learn more. In this article, we have outlined some points to consider when your skin is adjusting to a new regime.

What to consider when introducing new products to your regime?

Think about skin turnover

Your skin naturally renews itself approximately every six weeks. This process - known as skin turnover - is how your skin creates new cells to replace old ones.

It’s important to keep this in mind, as those new, healthy cells need time to rise to the surface. Dermatologists, including Dr Zein Obagi, founder of ZO Skin Health, note that the best results are typically seen after three full skin cycles - around 16–20 weeks.

This applies not just to ZO, but to all medical-grade skincare brands, including Medik8, Obagi, Glytone, and others. So, don’t give up too soon - commit to consistency, and you’ll see the benefits over time.

Speak to an expert

A dermatologist or skin expert will know the best and most effective products to manage a concern or condition. It is always advised to speak a skincare expert before introducing new products into your routine. This will ensure you are purchasing the correct products for you skin type. 

Here at Face Dr, our skin experts have combined decades of experience in the skincare world, and we help thousands of clients achieve healthy skin with their skincare regimes. If you are interested in finding out more about us or the medical-grade skincare products we recommend, why not book in for a free online skincare consultation?

Consider which skincare ingredients you are using

Below we have outlined some main ingredients that you can find in products and how long you should expect to see a result from each.

Glycolic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid

These are all AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids), best known to help with pigmentation and anti-ageing. You will generally see results straight away, although it will take between 16-20 weeks of consistent use for these ingredients to have a deeper and long-lasting effect.

Hyaluronic acid

Helps to prevent with loss of moisture in the skin. You tend to see results straight away with a plumper and hydrated complexion.

Salicylic acid

Ideal for treating acne and an oily skin type. This ingredient is one to stick with as it can take up to 12 weeks for you to see the full benefits.

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a high-strength acne treatment to help kill bacteria within the pore. It can take up to a month to see visible results of clear skin; however, full results can take up to 12 weeks to notice an improvement.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C great ingredient for pigmentation. After introducing this into your regimen, you will start seeing an improvement at around 3 weeks of using the product continuously.

Retinol

Retinol is an amazing anti-ageing product for improving skin tone and texture. It can take a while for this ingredient to have an effect on the skin. You may need to give it 12 weeks to see a noticeable difference.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a really popular ingredient in eye products, helping to reduce puffiness and dark circles within a few hours of use.

In summary

Whether you’re using Medik8, Obagi, Glytone, ZO Skin Health, or another trusted medical-grade brand, consistency and patience are essential.

For example, the “ZO Skin Health Getting Skin Ready” consists of cleanse, exfoliate and tone. This is the essential first step in achieving healthy skin. When this was trialled on clients, after 8 weeks of using this 3-step regime, 60% had improved redness and 62% had reduced dullness. This shows that after 8 weeks of using the ZO Skin Health products, more than 50% of the individuals had results from just using 3 of the products from the range. These are strong results, and one of the many reasons why we recommend ZO Skin Health skincare to our clients.

If you are going to trial products, give them a minimum of 6 weeks. But remember, you will see results after 16-20 weeks, once your skin has been through 3 skin cycles - maintenance is key. The main thing is not to give up hope, stick with it! Take before and after photos. They're so important for seeing gradual changes in the skin over time and can really give you an indication of whether or not a product or regimen is working as it should.

For free advice from a skin expert, or to find out more about the product ranges we recommend for medical-grade professional results, you can book a consultation with us below.