This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
It’s understandable to want instant results when it comes to skincare, but it’s (unfortunately) not the reality. Although some products may actually help your skin “overnight,” those changes are largely superficial. For your routine to impact your skin more deeply, it will take some time. But how long? Doctors have mixed answers, but one thing is clear: patience is a virtue.
Speaking to Refinery 29, cosmetic doctor David Jack explains that a your skincare timeline could probably extend up to a few weeks. He explains, "As a rule of thumb, the more work that needs to be done on a cellular level, the longer it’ll take to see the difference."
"If it needs to actually change the cells’ behavior, you can’t expect results within less than a few weeks," he adds.
Dr. Aanand Geria, M.D., F.A.A.D, says that you should expect it to take up to one month, depending on the products you are using."The timeline to see results is entirely dependent on what kind of product you are using," Geria tells The Zoe Report. "But I think 28 days is a good rule of thumb."
The experts at Paula's Choice echo Geria's timeline, explaining that every product comes with a different timeline. However, they do specify that "products for uneven skin tone or fading dark spots can take several weeks before results become visible."
For a full skincare routine to take effect, you may have to wait even longer. "It usually takes 3 to 4 months to evaluate whether a skin-care change is working to improve the overall appearance of the skin," Melanie Palm MD, MBA, FAAD, FAACS of Art of Skin, a dermatologist in California, tells Well + Good.
"It takes a full month for the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, to turn over. Three to four cycles of this turnover allows adequate time to demonstrate a qualitative change in the skin," she explains.
Waiting to see results is nobody's favorite pastime, but it's really the only way to assess your skincare routine fairly. And although couple of months might sound like a long time, it's definitely worth it when it comes to finding a regime that will work for your skin.
