One of the biggest stumbling blocks in skincare is staying consistent with your routine. Life gets hectic, minor disasters materialize out of nowhere, and before you know it, you’re flopping into bed with a full face of makeup.
While the occasional slip-up is understandable, we can’t overstate the importance of a regular, daily skincare regimen. However, in the age of viral products and dubious skincare trends, it can be more difficult than ever to find a routine that works for you. In the end, using good-quality skincare products every day and patiently waiting for results is more important than trying the newest trends or using a lot of products.
Read on to learn why a consistent skincare routine matters and how to stick to that routine.
Products Need Time to Work: In an ideal world, skincare products would deliver on their claims as soon as we applied them. Acne would disappear, skin tone would become even and flawless, and fine lines and wrinkles would simply melt away.
In reality, skincare products and their active ingredients need time to work effectively. This is because our skin operates on a cycle, with new skin cells emerging approximately every month. This means it can take skin at least four weeks to show signs of change. In general, skincare experts agree that it can take up to eight weeks before you can objectively evaluate whether or not your skincare is making an impact.
Unfortunately, this is where things can get tricky. Maintaining consistency in a routine can be difficult because the results aren’t immediate. And since we’ve become accustomed to an on-demand world, patience is a rare virtue. That’s why you should view consistent skincare as a long-term investment, not an opportunity for instant gratification. Following a structured routine helps you develop habits (and get results) that compound over time.
Prevention Beats Repair: A consistent skincare routine can work wonders to prevent skin issues before they become a problem. For example, we know that wearing sunscreen every day helps prevent up to 90% of skin aging. Ultimately, getting into the habit of daily sunscreen use is going to be far more effective than having to purchase and use multiple products to repair sun damage.
This also applies to other skin conditions (like acne). A regimen that includes both pore-cleansing exfoliants and anti-inflammatory, bacteria-fighting ingredients can help you avoid acne flare-ups while greatly reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring.
Overall, consistent, effective skincare helps strengthen and prepare your skin for any changes it may experience in the future.
How to Keep a Consistent Routine
While the chaos of everyday life may make it seem impossible, keeping a regular skincare routine may not be as difficult as you think. One of the best ways to maintain consistency is to keep your routine short and simple. Limit the number of products you use to three or four at most. The main areas to focus on are cleansing, treating, and moisturizing. The “treatment” stage of your routine should concentrate on addressing any problem areas or issues you may have with your skin (such as acne or hyperpigmentation). Since your skin only needs exfoliation once (maybe twice) a week, schedule a specific day(s) to add that step. Overall, try to keep your routine to 5 to 10 minutes.
You should also think about habit stacking, or taking advantage of connected behaviors by choosing an existing habit and “stacking” a new behavior on top of it. For example, try incorporating your twice-daily skincare after brushing your teeth.
And don’t forget that your mindset is crucial for building healthy habits. Look at your skincare routine as a way to treat yourself and help you relax after a long day. Make the space you use enjoyable by adding music, comforting scents, and anything else that can help you associate your routine with something positive.