You might have come across several Tiktoks or Instagram Reels of people swearing by a skincare product and what it has done for their skin, but then you try it out and it doesn’t work for yours or worse, it causes a reaction. It’s easy to put the blame on the product (trust me, I will too after splurging) but we often forget that our skincare routine has to be tailored towards our skin type and concerns, not what’s trending.

That being said, here are some reasons why an excellent product might just not work for you: 

Reasons Why your skincare product is not working

If you have unanswered questions as to why a product might not be working for you despite it working for others, do not fret. We have put together a number of possible reasons:

Your skin barrier is impaired

The skin barrier is the skin’s outermost layer. It serves as the skin’s protective shield and helps to keep it healthy and hydrated. Oftentimes, sensitized skin is traced back to a damaged skin barrier, which may cause symptoms like burning sensations, breakouts or itchiness after applying products.

To reduce sensitivity, it is strongly advised you simplify your routine and use barrier-strengthening products like a gentle cleanser that cleanses effectively and balances your skin’s PH. You can then follow up with a hydrating toner or serum, a moisturizer that contains ceramides and sunscreen.

The product is expired

skincare product

An expired product can be counterproductive and cause irritation when applied on the skin. Most products come with a PAO (period after opening) symbol which is an indication of the amount of time you can use a product after opening before it becomes less effective and unsafe for use.

The number written in the drawing is the number of months you can use a product for after opening and it’s usually located on the back of a product’s packaging. Be sure to note down the date of opening so you can know when to stop using a product.

Some products also contain expiry dates printed on the bottom in the YYYY/MM/DD format. However, it is important to note that several factors like pollution and contamination can make your product unsafe for use before its due date. If you start noticing changes in texture, color or smell, discontinue use.

Your skin is reacting to an ingredient in the product

skincare product

If your new product contains ingredients that speeds up skin cell turnover like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide or hydroxy acids, you may be experiencing purging and not necessarily a reaction. These breakouts will appear in areas where you usually get them and could last up to six weeks. Although uncomfortable, purging is often a good indicator that the product is working. However, if the product doesn’t contain skincare actives like the aforementioned and you break out, you should discontinue use. 

You are incorrectly layering your products

skincare product

Layering your skincare products wrongly can make your routine less effective and may also cause irritation. The ideal way is to cleanse, apply toner, serum, moisturizer and lastly, sunscreen. Likewise, hastily doing your routine can lead to same. You should allow a few minutes after applying a product before going to the next step.

What to do before getting a skincare product

Just like how you need to know your shoe size before shopping shoes, there are things to put into consideration before shopping for skincare products. Here are some important tips to note:

Know your skin type and skin concerns

Before purchasing a product, read through the ingredients and uses to be sure it is something your skin needs and will like. If you have dry skin for instance, you’ll want to be on the look out for ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. You’ll also probably want to opt for products with creamy or gel-like textures. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you should have ingredients like niacinamide on your radar. You should also go for gentle foaming cleansers as well as other oil-free and non-comedogenic products.

Do a patch test

Patch tests are highly recommended, especially for our beauties with sensitive skin. You can easily carry one out by applying a small amount of a product to the skin on your arm. Do this everyday for a week to see if you experience any irritation. 

Visit a skincare consultant

There are tons of skincare products out there and trying out many different things might be overwhelming your skin. If you’re struggling to figure out what’s best for you, visit a skincare consultant to get help.

You can also reach out to us at My Lab Africa to share your skin concerns and many more. 

Don’t Want to Toss Out a Product that isn’t Working for you? You can repurpose it by using it on your body. If the reaction persists, discontinue its usage and opt for something more suitable for your skin.