15 Reasons That Old Skin Care Regimen No Longer Works
When someone first starts a skin care regimen, the results are often great: We start to glow, our faces become clear, and fall in love with our new, healthy, happy-looking skin. But sometimes that initial honeymoon phase with a new set of products doesn't last. Our skin stops responding to the products we're using, and we're back to breakouts, blotchy patches, uneven tone, and dark circles. If a routine we once fell in love with has stopped working for us, there are a few things to do. And no, we don't necessarily have to throw out all of the stuff we were using -- we can save it and return to it if our skin has just gotten tired (one of the possibilities we're going to explore in more depth below). But there are some situations where throwing out product is the best bet -- and we'll explain that more, too.
No matter the reason a skin care routine stops working, it's deeply frustrating. And the truth is, because our skin is the largest organ on our bodies -- and the most clearly visible -- it's one we're going to go to some pretty extreme lengths to keep healthy and happy. And we know we're not alone. Check the crazy lengths women have gone to for clear skin. It shows exactly how far we're willing to go for great skin -- and what has worked for some women in some extreme cases. For anyone looking to go the organic, clean beauty route, check out some all-natural products for the biggest skin problems. As every mom knows -- and has at least heard about it in her mom group, whether or not she's experienced it herself, chicken skin is a total thing post-pregnancy. Anyone searching for answers for their own chicken skin situation should check out that link. And then there are those skin care mistakes you're going to want to fix right now. We've absolutely been guilty of all of these errors -- and fixing them has helped our skin tons.
Too Much Buildup
The products we use can leave behind occlusive ingredients that prevent moisture loss but build up over time. If a skin care routine includes petroleum jelly, mineral oil, and silicones, this regimen might be being blocked from working its full magic.
The Products Degraded
Like food in the fridge, each skin care product has a shelf life. We may not be getting the results we want because the ingredients in our cleansers, moisturizers, and anti-aging products may have degraded. If we've had them for a while, toss them and start fresh.
The Products Are Contaminated
It's also possible that some facial products or makeup items have been contaminated and are harming our skin -- which does not produce good results. If products haven't been stored correctly, the ingredients in them may become inactive. If either of these is the problem, toss them and buy new.
Skin Has Changed
Skin care systems are designed to work on specific problems. If our skin has changed, which is common for women when they're pregnant and as they get older, what we're using may no longer be what we need. It's a good idea to stop by the dermatologist and have our facial skin evaluated to find products that are suited for the skin we have now.
The Climate Is Different
Skin also responds to the environment, regardless of our skin care routine. In if we move to a more humid climate or a colder one, we again need to adapt the products that are needed -- more moisturizing if the season is dry, better sunscreen if there's a lot of sun, and lighter products if it's hot and humid.
Products Are Being Used Incorrectly
Skin care regimens won't work if we've misidentified what our skin needs and are using the wrong products. They also won't work if we're using them incorrectly. If the instructions say to apply to clean skin, be sure to wash before putting it on. If the mask is only to be left on for three minutes, or for at least 10, be sure to hit those marks.
Inactive Active Ingredient
Skin care products designed to reduce pores, slough skin, cover, or protect may contain an active ingredient to work its magic. But sometimes, there isn't enough of the active ingredient in the product for the results to come through. Buy quality products to get the desired results.
Using Too Many Products
It's also possible these products' active ingredients have begun clashing with each other or canceling out each other's effects. Make sure each product included in the routine is playing well with the other products. Also, cross-check that the active ingredients are compatible.
Skin Can Become Resistant
Often, previously wonderful results from a skin care routine are no longer apparent, because our skin has developed a kind of resistance to what we're using. There are no two ways about it: we'll have to switch, at least for a while, to other products and ingredients.
Pregnancy
What worked for us before getting pregnant may no longer work after we get pregnant. Our skin's appearance has as much to do with hormones going on inside our body as products we're applying on the outside. Acne, discoloration, and puffiness are common during pregnancy. For the next months, we'll want to find some new products that work for our pregnancy skin.
Products Don't Work the Same for Everyone
Maybe we tried a great facial oil or serum because a good friend told us it was absolutely magic on her skin. That's great, and may have even given our own skin care routine a little boost for a few days or even weeks -- but that doesn't mean it'll necessarily work for us long-term.
Ignoring the Basics
One reason our skin isn't looking as great as it did when we first started in on our current routine could be due to skipping some of the tried-and-true skin care steps -- namely, sunscreen and exfoliation. Without the former, we can prematurely age our skin. Without the latter, dirt, skin cells, and other buildup will dull our skin and keep the skin care products that we love from performing optimally.