It's easy to get tempted to try each and every highly-raved-about skincare product out there. The words "miracle", "holy grail", and "game changer" are enough to convince you to join the bandwagon and start shopping. But other than all the online reviews, there is something else you should be listening to – your skin. Your skin has its own unique properties that are based on your genes, lifestyle and the environment you reside in. It usually takes time for skincare products to take effect. But did you know that your skin shows you signs if it isn't loving the product you're using? Read on for 5 common signs that prove your skincare products are not working for you and you need to change them ASAP. You are breaking out more While breakouts happen to everyone from time to time, it is a problem when after weeks of consistently following your skincare routine you find no relief. This is a major sign that your skincare routine is not really working. This could be happening because your skincare products may not be completely removing excess dirt and sebum from your skin. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, always look for products that contain proven acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, as well as oil-free and non-comedogenic formulations, and never forget to moisturise. Your skin feels irritated If after using your skincare products, your skin feels itchy or irritated, then it may signal a negative reaction to an existing product. In order to figure out which product is the culprit, we recommend you stop your existing routine completely, and simply use a basic gentle cleanser and moisturiser in its place. After a week, slowly add in each product one at a time every few days until you find the cause. If you have sensitive skin, always do a patch test before introducing a new product in your skincare routine. Your skin feels tight after cleansing If you think that squeaky-clean feeling is actually great for your skin, then you couldn't be more wrong. This feeling is also known as post-wash dryness and usually indicates that your skin has been stripped of its natural oils and its natural barrier may have been compromised on. This will also affect the rest of your skincare routine. Your skin feels extra red If you see extra redness and small bumps on your skin, then maybe your skin is experiencing visible blood vessel flare ups or adult rosacea. This is a sign of your skincare products not working properly. To combat the redness, include an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory into your skincare routine and stop using your current skincare products immediately. You are not seeing any improvement It is obvious that skincare results don't show overnight, and usually take a couple of weeks or even months. But you should definitely start questioning a product's efficacy after months of consistent use. Line-smoothing and pigment-reducing products tend to take more time (at least six weeks); acne products should start working within a few weeks; and moisturisers should improve skin in a couple of days. Image courtesy: Instagram
