TIPS & INSPIRATION
For Your Beauty Routine
Tips & Inspiration
For Your Beauty Routine
How Long Do Skin Care Products Take to Work?
Generally speaking, it takes about 28 days for skin cells to turn over, which means that almost all products require at least one month of use before you’ll see results.
All good skin care products take time. Be skeptical of those that say otherwise and don't give up. The skin care products that are guaranteed to work will take a few weeks to start really showing you what they can do. Be patient and you'll get the healthy and younger-looking skin that you've always wanted.
So, how do you really know you're getting the best results possible from your skin care products? The list below and the table that follows are what we use as our guidelines to determine success. Use them to help ensure you're getting the most from your skin care routine.
1. Use a carefully selected skin care routine. For some people, a basic skin care routine can work just fine but for others, it just won't be enough to provide the best results. Depending on your skin type, skin concerns, and preferences, a more advanced skin care routine will be important for you.
The complex needs of skin to keep it replenished with essential beneficial ingredients, protected from sun damage, enriched with hydration, nourished with skin-restoring ingredients to fight aging, maintain an even skin tone, and so on requires an array of appropriate products.
2. Be consistent. For ideal, ultimate results, a skin care routine must be used regularly.
3. Don't skip exfoliation or sunscreen. Nothing can be as impressive for skin as the results a well-formulated, gentle, leave-on AHA or BHA exfoliant can provide. Even more important is dedicated use of an SPF sunscreen every single day. This is the fundamental way to start keeping every aspect of your skin young and beautiful.
4. Don't expect instant results. You didn't suddenly wake up with sun damage and wrinkles, so don't expect to be able to radically diminish them overnight. Continued use is necessary to maintain the results, so again, consistency is key.
5. Avoid products with harsh or skin-aggravating ingredients. Gentle is the most pivotal aspect of exceptional skin care. Non-irritating skin care products are vitally important. If the products you use cause sensitivity, it will leave your skin vulnerable to environmental damage. Routinely causing your skin to be sensitized hinders its ability to renew and restore itself. Avoiding problematic ingredients (including strong fragrances) is critical.
6. Your personal sensitivity to ingredients. You never really know exactly how your skin will respond to even the best formulated products, so you have to pay attention to how your skin reacts. Tingling is a problem because it is a sign of aggravation, not a sign that a product is "working."
How to Get the Results You Want
The Shelf Life of Your Skincare Products
For most skin and body care products, there's an easy way to find out how long the shelf life is. Simply look on the container for a tiny image of an opened jar with a number on it: 12, 24, or 36. This refers to the number of months you can use a product after you've opened it.
Use your best judgment—if you think it's time to toss it, it probably is. You'll know it if you notice the following signs:
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A bad or rotten smell
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The product has separated
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The texture has changed
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The color has changed
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There are black, green, or blue mold spots
How to Store Products so They Last Longer
An unopened product that's still sealed usually has a shelf life of at least three to five years. However, this timeframe is shortened if the item is stored in a sunny, hot, or humid environment. Keep your skin care in a cool, dry place—ideally not in the bathroom.
Wash your hands before applying any skin care to your face or body so that you don't get dirt or bacteria into the product. You can use a clean spatula or a baby spoon to keep the container free of contaminants. Also, it's best to buy products that are in sealed containers like pumps instead of jars, as they tend to have a longer shelf life.
Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin
Vitamin C is an impressive skincare ingredient that is shown to be effective in the following areas:
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Protects against environmental stressors: As an antioxidant, one of vitamin C’s main functions is protecting the skin, keeping it healthy and improving visible signs of aging.
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Promotes collagen production: Vitamin C also plays an important role in collagen synthesis.
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Lightens brown spots: Vitamin C is also helpful in lightening unwanted brown spots or decreasing brown discoloration by blocking the pathway of pigment synthesis.