‘How long will it take my skincare to work?’, you ask?! Skin type, condition and goals aside, results from individual ingredients tend to differ but one thing is for sure – consistency is key. So before jumping into individual ingredients, it’s best to determine your skin type, set your goals and select the ingredients you need to create a consistent routine. Oh and don’t forget – a typical skin cycle is 28 days!
With that covered, we explore how long it takes for top skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol and vitamin C to take effect so you can set expectations, stay diligent and gain the results. Because the last thing you want to do is give up on your product, chop and change from one ingredient to the next and even worse, cause irritation.
Let’s explore!
Hyaluronic acid
Results: Immediate – two months
Hyaluronic acid is hailed as a hydration heavyweight ingredient! It’s a potent humectant that can hydrate and visibly plump your skin.
As hyaluronic acid attracts water to the skin, its effects to plump and glow can be seen immediately! Major improvement in fine lines and long-lasting hydration can take up to nine weeks (two months).
Found in:
- Harmony: Radiance Boosting Toner
- Sol: Hydrating Gel Moisturiser
- The Limelight: Brightening Probiotic Lotion
- Canvas: Resurfacing AHA & BHA Enzyme Treatment
- Luna Vitality: Restoring Moisture Cream
- The Foundation: Flawless Retinol & Vitamin C Lotion
Salicylic acid
Results: Two weeks – one month
Salicylic acid is a natural beta hydroxy (BHA) that works to gently exfoliate the top layer of skin to decongest and clarify pores. It can help with evening out skin tone and breakouts.
A reduction in oil can be noticed within about two weeks when using salicylic acid. Improvement for breakouts can take up to four weeks (one month).
Found in:
Niacinamide
Results: Two weeks – three months
Niacinamide assists to visibly improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, dullness and fine lines, among others! Essential for the synthesis of collagen and lipids too, it helps to prevent moisture loss and retain moisture in the skin.
Improvements in redness and inflammation should be noticed after about two weeks of using niacinamide. For hyperpigmentation, results can take up to twelve weeks (three months).
Found in:
Retinol (Carotenoid)
Results: Four weeks – six months
Vitamin A, known as the holy grail of skincare, helps to brighten skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It can also improve breakouts too!
If your goal is to improve breakouts, a retinol derivative can make improvements within about four weeks. For hyperpigmentation, results can take up to six months.
Found in:
Vitamin C
Results: Four weeks – two and a half months
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps to brighten your complexion and increase collagen production.
Vitamin C will work to brighten and improve skin tone within four weeks (one month). Improvement in hyperpigmentation can take up to ten weeks (just over two months).
Found in:
- Polished: Refining Exfoliant
- Luminosity: Brightening Probiotic Mask
- Eternal: Plumping Deep Sea & Malachite Collagen Serum
- The Foundation: Flawless Retinol & Vitamin C Lotion
Remember that with varying skin types, conditions and goals, individual results will tend to vary. It’s also important to consider how long you’re using the product, how much product you’re using, how exfoliated your skin is before applying your product, and how you’re layering your products à la skincare layering.
So, stay consistent out there and stay conscious of your skin and how you’re using your products!
