Science- Here are 5 dermatologist-approved ways to tell if your
skincare routine is good or just a waste of money. Skin tightness, breakouts, and rashes all indicate you may want to reevaluate what products you use and speak to adermatologist .- Even subtle changes like dullness can indicate a product is not worth the money.
Coming up with a skincare routine can feel daunting in the world of 12-step beauty routines and skin-fluencer social media content.
Sometimes it can feel like your skin just never clears up, regardless of how many expensive face washes, serums, and jade rollers your buy.
While results aren't instant, there are a few obvious signs you can spot early that will tell you if your skincare routine is working or actually doing you more harm, according to dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm.
"It usually takes 3 to 4 months to evaluate whether a skin-care change is working to improve the overall appearance of the skin," Palm told Well and Good. "It takes a full month for the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, to turn over. Three to four cycles of this turnover allows adequate time to demonstrate a qualitative change in the skin."
Here are five dermatologist-approved signs your skincare routine is wasting your money.
Your skin is more rough, bumpy, or dull after 1 month
Not all products cause extreme side effects when they aren't working. Small signs can also indicate a problem with a product.
"The signs that you need to change something in your skin care can also be more subtle – roughness, bumps, and dullness can be signs that the skin isn't optimally hydrated or desquamating (turning itself over)," Dr. Heidi Waldorf, a cosmetic dermatologist, told Insider.
If a month passes and you're noticing these signs, consider parting with the product or changing your routine.
Very dry or very oily skin after 1 month
A key to healthy skin is maintaining your hydration balance.
According to Dr. Rebecca Baxt, a dermatologist in New Jersey, if your skin is too dry or extremely oily after a month, your products likely not providing enough moisture and causing an overproduction of oil or dryness.
You're still having breakouts after 2 months
Generally, certain products might make you break out more initially because they encourage skin turnover, according to Dr. Sejal Shah.
"Generally it is seen with products that increase cell turnover such as retinoid or hydroxy acids," Shah told Allure."Because purging is thought to be due to increased cell turnover, it's really going to bring preexisting microcomedones to the surface and they will turn into whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and cysts. Usually, it happens in areas that you usually get breakouts."
But if you get two months into a routine and your
Your skin burns when you apply the product
While certain products like retinoids may subtly sting or tingle when you first start using them, intense burning or redness could indicate the product is harming your skin.
"Irritated skin can be red, scaly, bumpy and itchy or even painful," Waldorf said. "The skin may burn or sting when products are applied."
If you feel an intense burn, toss the product immediately.
You're extremely itchy or you have a rash
According to Baxt, if your skin is flakey, itchy, or developing a rash you should stop using your products immediately and reassess before you do some permanent damage.
A rash could be the first sign of an allergic reaction to a product, which can cause permanent skin damage over time.
"Allergy to something topical can show up as redness, swelling, blisters, and itch," Waldorf told Insider.
It's best to go to a dermatologist if you have a rash and are wondering how to proceed.
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