When you start a new skincare routine, one of the first questions you probably ask is: When will I see results?
Skincare science has come a long way, and while instant results are appealing, they aren’t always the best for your skin in the long run. How quickly you see improvement depends on several factors:
- The skincare brand and ingredient quality
- Your specific skin concerns or conditions
- The time you dedicate to your daily skincare routine
We’d love to promise results in just a few hours, but realistically, most routines take time to show noticeable changes. Some products work faster than others, so patience is key. For deeper skin concerns, you may need to wait for new cells to rise through the layers of your skin before visible results appear.
Skincare Is an Investment
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, that 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.
Key Considerations When Starting a New Skincare Routine
Skin Turnover Matters
Your skin regenerates roughly every 6 weeks. During this process, new cells replace old ones, and healthy skin is still developing before reaching the surface.
Dr. Zein Obagi, founder of ZO Skin Health, advises: “The best results occur after three full skin cycles,” which can range between 16–20 weeks. This highlights the importance of consistency and patience with professional, medical-grade products.
Consult a Skin 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
Different ingredients take different amounts of time to show results. Here’s a quick guide:
- Glycolic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid (AHAs): These are all AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) best known to help with pigmentation and anti-aging. Some effects are visible immediately, but full results take 16–20 weeks.
- Hyaluronic acid: Provides hydration and plumping — results are usually immediate.
- Salicylic acid: Ideal for acne and oily skin — full results can take up to 12 weeks.
- Benzoyl peroxide: Treats acne bacteria — visible improvements may appear after 1 month, with full benefits in 12 weeks.
- Vitamin C: Helps with pigmentation — results usually appear after ~3 weeks of consistent use.
- Retinol: Anti-aging and improves skin texture — noticeable results often take 12 weeks.
- Caffeine: Common in eye products — can reduce puffiness and dark circles within hours.
In summary
“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.
Tips for success:
- Give new products at least 6 weeks before judging results
- Expect full benefits after 16–20 weeks (3 skin cycles)
- Take before and after photos to track subtle changes over time
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.
