Ever bought a vitamin C serum because your skin looked lifeless? A few weeks later you find another serum that assures you a brighter skin tone. Then there is one for dark spots, one for hydration and one which promises to give your skin that supple, glowing look you keep seeing online. Before you know it, your shelf is full of skincare products, yet you are still looking for the results you initially wanted.
The skincare sector has made it so easy to think that there needs to be a new product for every skin problem. But more serums don’t automatically mean better skin. Sometimes, the glow you’re after is less about what you need to add and more about figuring out what your skin really needs.
Read this guide to find out more.
What Does a Glowing Skin Really Mean?
The word glow appears everywhere in skincare advertisements, but it does not mean the same thing to everyone. Glowing skin is a brighter, more even complexion for some individuals. Others equate it to softness, radiant moisture, or freshly made-up skin. These differences are important as not all serums will treat the same problem. For an increase in hydration can make a difference if your skin is dry and dull. Whereas if you are primarily concerned with uneven pigmentation, moisturizing alone may not give you the results you are looking for.
Thus, when purchasing another product, consider what it will improve. When you have a clear goal, it’s much easier to find the products that will deliver the result you are looking for rather than selecting different versions of the same product.
Does it Feel that Your Routine is Missing Something?
Social media has revolutionized the way we find skincare products. You may be content with your regimen until you encounter a product that someone else loves and finds their skin improved. Suddenly, the products you already own begin to feel insufficient. The problem is that skincare reviews don’t provide the whole story. Other factors, such as a person’s natural skin type, other products, professional treatments or simply the lighting in their photos could affect the outcome.
What works for someone else might not be of any help to you. Rather than asking yourself if you should purchase a serum that is popular, you should consider asking if it can help with a problem that your existing routine isn’t helping you with. Remember, if you don’t know that problem, you might not need the product.
Do You Give Your Existing Serums Enough Time?
A lot of people change their skincare products because they want to see the results too soon. There are some skincare products on the market that promise skin comfort in a relatively short period. But ingredients designed to address issues like an uneven complexion or texture can take weeks or months to make an impact. Replacing a serum after only a few uses may mean you never find out whether it could have helped. It also gets difficult to understand how your skin will react when you’re testing multiple products in a brief period. When a product is good for your skin and isn’t causing any irritation, sticking to the routine is far more beneficial than trying numerous different products all the time.
Can Too Many Serums Affect Your Skin?
Yes, sometimes mixing a few serums together will cause issues, particularly if they contain potent active products. For instance, if you apply several other acid-based exfoliants in addition to retinoids, your skin may feel dry, tight or irritated. Products that have been comfortable may feel red, flake or sting when applied. This can happen when your skin’s protective barrier becomes irritated.
Ironically, the routine you created to achieve a smoother, brighter complexion may end up making your skin look more irritated. But remember that not all combinations of serums are bad, and the more the merrier doesn’t always mean the more beneficial. You might want to ease up on your skincare regimen and consult a dermatologist about persistent irritation if your skin doesn’t feel good after using your care products all the time. A dermatologist will evaluate your skin and help you find the best products for your skin.