What You’re Doing Wrong + Why Your Skincare Products Aren’t Working for You!

So you think you’ve got your skincare routine down to a science!  You religiously cleanse, tone, and hydrate your skin EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Yet, you don’t see any improvements in your skin.  It appears your skincare products simply aren’t working! 

Why aren’t your skincare products working for you, then? 

Well there may be several reasons your skincare products aren’t working for you, and here are just a few!

12 Reasons Your Skincare Products Aren’t Working for You!

1. You Have Bad Eating Habits

You can use the best skincare products on the market, but if you continue to feed your body garbage, your skin will suffer.  You need to feed your body nutritious foods so that your skin can receive the nutrients it needs to continue to repair and renew itself optimally. 

Diet Tips to Support Your Skin’s Health:

• Eat vibrant-colored fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid sugar and other processed foods.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these dehydrate your body and skin.
• Drink plenty of water.

2. You Have Poor Hygiene

Hygiene is simple, yet often neglected.  When it comes down to it, it simply means keeping things clean and avoiding the spread of bacteria!  You want to keep those little buggers at bay to prevent unwelcome skin breakouts! 

Hygiene Tips:

• Clean your pillowcase regularly.
• Wash your makeup brushes often.
• Avoid touching your face during the day (who knows what germs are lurking on your hands)!
• Wash your face/remove makeup at bedtime.

3. You’re Applying Products in the Wrong Order

Yes, it can be confusing, and yes there is a specific order in which to apply skincare products to obtain the best results!  The general rule of thumb is to start with the product of thinnest consistency to the thickest. 

Quick Guide on What Order Apply Skincare Products:

1) Cleanser

2) Face Scrub

3) Mask

4) Toner

5) Serum/Eye Cream

6) Moisturizer

7) Facial Oil

4. You’re Using the Wrong Products

Everyone’s skin is different.  You can’t expect all products to work for your skin’s specific needs.  It’s important you pay attention to how your skin reacts to skincare products.  If you feel any tingling, burning, or itching, your skin is informing you that the product isn’t right for you!

Take the time to find products that suit your skin.  Whether you have dry, oily, acne-prone, or mature skin, there’s a product out there for every skin type.

5. You’re Mixing Products That Shouldn’t Be Mixed

Just as you avoid mixing certain medications, so you should avoid mixing certain skincare products. Some ingredients can counteract with each other or even have compounding effects on your skin. 

For example, you wouldn’t want to mix Vitamin C with retinols as both increase photosensitivity (sensitivity to the ultraviolet (UV) rays).  Mixing products containing these two ingredients could irritate your skin and increase your chances of causing UV damage. 

When you’re unsure if your skincare products can be mixed, consult your dermatologist. 

6. Your Products Can’t Penetrate Your Pores

Let’s talk about emollients for a moment!

Emollients are skin-softening agents meant to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the surface of your skin.

Synthetic emollients (i.e. petroleum jelly), however, are occlusive – meaning they block everything from penetrating your pores and don’t allow your skin to breathe. This means that if you want to see results from that expensive eye cream you just bought, you must first ensure your pores aren’t blocked by a build-up of occlusive skincare ingredients.

Natural emollients, on the other hand, are not occlusive.  When shopping for skincare, opt for products containing natural emollients such as marula oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil, which not only preserve moisture, but also nourish your skin as well!

7. Your Skin Has Changed

Factors such as age, stress levels, hormones, and medications can all affect your skin.

Make sure you switch up your skincare routine whenever you notice changes in your skin.  Your skin is a living organ and has different requirements at various stages of life.  You must constantly adapt to these shifts.

8. The Climate Has Changed

Not only does your skin change, so does the environment that surrounds it.  During the summer months, it’s hot and your skin perspires more which may make your skin oilier.  In the winter months, your skin is exposed to cold, dry air which may make it drier. 

As the seasons change, it takes times for your skin to acclimate.  Modify your skincare regimen every new season if necessary.

9. You’re Improperly Storing Products 

Beauty products are commonly stored in your bathroom because that’s where you most likely get ready!  Unfortunately, the bathroom gets hot and humid when you shower, and that’s not the best environment to store beauty products that have a limited shelf life.  Exposure to heat, light, and moisture all speed up degradation. 

If possible, store your skincare products in a cool, dry, & dark place to ensure your products’ active ingredients remain potent for longer!

10. Your Products Have Expired

Skincare products are an investment, and when their time is up, it may be hard to dispose of them.  You may think that using expired products isn’t that bad for your skin, and while they may not do any harm, they certainly do not do much good.  Ingredients break down over time and when this happens, they don’t perform as they should.

So girl, just do it; dispose of those expired goods and stock up on some fresh high performing skincare! 

11. Your Product is of Low Quality

If you’re still buying drug store brands, you may be purchasing low quality products.  When it comes to skincare, quality is key!  You don’t want to compromise on your skin. 

Cheap skincare products are inexpensive for a reason!  They are made up of mostly water.   And because products with a high concentration of water have the potential of becoming moldy, they are loaded with preservatives to prevent mold from forming.  These extra preservatives are not good for your skin and can impede on your skin’s health!  

12. You Have Unrealistic Expectations

Don’t expect instant results! Skincare products won’t change your skin’s complexion overnight! 

And simply because a brand promises to reverse aging, that’s simply not achievable. 

What is in your control is to be proactive and to take good care of your skin’s health so that you can prevent premature aging.  Aging gracefully is a choice, and that is something you can aim to achieve.