Why Your Skincare Routine Isn’t Working: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

When it comes to skincare, many people invest time and money into their routines, yet they still face frustrations with their skin. If you find yourself questioning why your skincare routine doesn’t work, it’s essential to identify common pitfalls that might be hindering your progress. Often, simple mistakes can lead to a less effective regimen and detract from the outcome you're striving for.

Common Reasons Your Skincare Routine Fails.

1. You don`t know well your skin type.

Many people don`t take their time to learn about their own skin. This is sad but true, let`s face the facts! Before continuing reading this article take your time to ask yourself this question, 'What is my skin type?'. You didn`t know, right? You should know if your skin is oily, normal, combination, dry or sensitive. This information will help guide you in purchasing the right products and save you a ton of headaches when you go shopping. But also knowing your skin type will help you plan a skincare routine that is going to give you optimal results.

2. The skincare products you buy don`t contain the ingredients it claim to have.

Some skincare companies can be very insidious with how they market their products and manufacture them trying hard to cut corners by using cheap ingredients which do not work! Some of them make just 'good enough' products that do not harm your skin nor improve it. Some of the companies even worse use harmful ingredients such as lead, arsenic or mercury which can damage ones skin. Thanks nowadays buyers tend to question how their products are manufactured and these products don`t do well as before due to education and companies don`t walk away easily from such type of allegations.

3. The skincare products have less amount of active ingredients needed for your skin.

If you use skincare products that have less active ingredients then you will not get optimal results you are looking for. If you use a serum with 2% Vitamin C it won`t be as effective as a serum with 20% vitamin C. Be careful when buying skincare products and look for active ingredients that are clinically proven and FDA approved containing the right percentage of the ingredient. Remember! higher percentage does not guarantee efficacy of the product since some active ingredient can give better results in even small percentages of 0.005% and some active ingredients at higher percentages may be too harsh for your skin.

4. You don`t follow your skincare routine religiously!

You already know it before even you read the headline! You know very well what you should be doing but choose to ignore due to one reason or the other. You have to know skincare is a lifestyle and not something that you do in a day, a month, or a year then stop. In order to get good result skincare routine should be followed continuously just like eating healthy or exercising. Go back and start following your skincare routine gal!

5. You don`t know how to layer your skincare products.

You can have the best skincare products in the world but if you can`t layer them properly it`s not gonna help you. A simple morning skincare routine will start with cleansing the face followed by applying a Vitamin C serum, then a moisturizer and lastly a sunscreen/sunblock SPF 50. At night, just follow a simple skincare routine by starting cleansing your face from smog, dust, makeup and other skin dirt followed by retinol serum, then a moisturizer or night cream. A simple routine like this one will make your life easier and it will keep away temptation or urge to skip. Knowing to layer your products like the one above will bring optimal results and not interchanging the steps.

6. You skip removing make-up before you sleep.

You come home from a busy day job or late night party and think in your head 'I will wash it off tomorrow morning.' This is where things start to go haywire. Your pores get clogged, you get terrible acne, few days later you get your period which worsens your acne on top of that you eat sugary snacks and junk food which make your skin dull, I know gal, I know that you are super, super-busy but get some time for your skin. Remove makeup with micellar water or oil-based face cleanser which can clean oily makeup and not just plain facewash.

7. You don`t apply sunscreen/sunblock.

The sun is the first culprit when it comes to skin aging. The skin will most likely age from photoaging by 80% other factors is just merely 20%. After knowing this, sunscreen or sunblock should not be skipped. Eve if you follow all the steps in your skincare regimen and forget this last but crucial step then do not be surprised if you don`t get positive results. Find a mineral-based sunscreen/sunblock of SPF(Sun Protection Factor) of 50.If you are dark-skinned and are worried about white cast left behind by sunblock then find a tinted one. Add visors, sunglasses and other sun protection gear in your regimen.

8. Skincare products formulation is whack as hell!

I know you can`t be blamed for this since the culprits here are the cosmetic chemists, manufacturers and the companies of skincare products you unfortunately purchased unknowingly, either due to impulse online shopping, the information you got from your favorite celebrity on Instagram or influencer from TikTok or just plain old good marketing tactics that lured you into buying it.

Many people don`t know how poorly formulated skincare products can affect their skincare routine due to lack of skincare education. For instance Vitamin C might be a good active ingredient in leave-on products such as serums but totally useless in rinse/wash-off products such as facewashes or face cleansers.

9. You fall hard for "claim ingredients".

Now you might be asking yourself what are the claim ingredients that you are talking about! Claim ingredients are skincare ingredients that do not serve a functional value on the product but companies use them for the storyline when marketing . Sometimes we refer them as marketing ingredients. They are added in skincare formulation to create a better marketing story. Ingredients such as advanced technology ingredients, exotic sounding ingredients, location ingredients or natural extracts.

Buyers are more likely to buy a product A with a title "a serum infused with Japanese cherry extract" than a product B with a title 'a serum with Vitamin C'. Buyers confuse Japanese cherry extract with the product being superior than just having Vitamin C not knowing that the active ingredient Vitamin C is the one which gives positive results on your skin and not just some exotic sounding ingredients. No hate on Japanese cherry extract, no pun intended!

10. You are inconsistent & impatient with your skincare routine.

Last but not least, you don`t follow your skincare routine with positive intentions. You just do it when you feel its convenience for you to do it and you know that, that`s why you are not getting the results you desire, gal. Make sure you follow the skincare routine every single day, you have to know that skincare is selfcare, is part of taking care of your health and it is a lifestyle.

You are so impatient with your skincare routine. You expect the results within 3 days of following a skincare routine! Bitter truth be told you`re likely to see results within 3 - 6 months of using well formulated and properly applied skincare products.

How to Fix Your Skincare Routine : A Simple Guide

1. Purchase the right skincare products.

To optimize your skincare routine, start by ensuring that you're using appropriate products for your skin type. Consulting with a dermatologist can provide valuable insights into which ingredients and formulations suit you best.

2. Plan your skincare routine.

It’s essential to establish a consistent schedule for applying your skincare products. Commit to a morning and evening routine and avoid skipping days to allow the products to work effectively.

3. De-clutter your bathroom cabinet or vanity table.

Furthermore, consider simplifying your routine. Often, fewer steps and fewer products can lead to better results. Throw away any expired products and products that do not work for you and start afresh. Focus on fundamental products that address your skin's primary concerns. For example, incorporate a gentle cleanser, a nourishing moisturizer, and a targeted treatment such as a serum or spot treatment, depending on your needs. Less can truly be more when it comes to skincare.

4. Follow your skincare routine consistently.

Finally patience is key. Many people expect immediate results, but great skin takes time. Stick with your routine for at least four to six weeks to gauge its effectiveness. If after this time you still notice no improvement, it may be worth re-evaluating your product selection and considering professional advice.

5. Learn about your skin type.

Last but not least, learning a about your skin will go a long way in saving your skin from various skin health issues, buying wrong products for your skin type and wasting your hard-earned money on unnecessary or even worse toxic products that can ruin your skin.

In conclusion, determining why your skincare routine doesn't work involves identifying the common mistakes and approaching the problem with a solution-oriented mindset. By addressing the right issues and maintaining a consistent, tailored routine, you can pave the way for healthier, radiant skin.