How Long Does It Take Skincare Products to Work?

Whether you're new to skincare or stick to the same routine for months at a time, every product you incorporate into your regimen has a different purpose. Your cleanser eliminates grime, your serums help target skincare concerns, a moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated, and eye patches help depuff the delicate skin under your eyes. There is no "one size fits all" skincare product. Each product protects your skin, addresses concerns, and helps you achieve a youthful appearance. 

That also means only some products will achieve quick results. There is no "quick fix" to skin health. To see results from the skincare products in your routine, you must find formulas that serve your skin type and stay consistent with your regimen.  However, if you've been using a few products for a few months and haven't seen any results yet - it may be time to pull the plug and try something new. But before you do, we're here to answer the question you've been waiting to ask: "How long before my skincare routine works?" Here's everything you need to know:

Cleansers: Instantly 

If there's one product that would be a "quick fix," it would be a cleanser. Cleansers eliminate dirt, grime, and bacteria from gathering in your pores. Whether you use an oil-based cleanser or a foaming cleanser - you can feel confident that you'll almost always have that feel-good, clean feeling after just one use.  That's not to say all cleansers have this power. Some formulas only work effectively after a few weeks or months of continued use. For example, if you're using a cleanser to tame excess sebum production or control your acne breakouts, it will take at least a few weeks before you start to see a difference in skin texture. 

To see quick results from your cleanser, you'll want to look for formulas that contain clinically proven ingredients to effectively cleanse your skin. The Foaming Cleanser, our powerful blend of super-hydrators and potent botanicals, instantly lifts grime and purifies the skin after just one use. Plus, during our 4-week clinical trials, participants noticed skin hydration improved by 165%, and their skin health visibly improved by 85%.

Toners: One to Two Weeks

Toners are soothing, refreshing, and revitalizing. Applying an active toner will make your skin feel fresh and balanced. However, you may wonder if that's just how the product is supposed to feel or if that's how you know if it's working or not. Most toners take anything from one to two weeks to work. They perform similarly to a cleanser, helping to eliminate any build-up in your pores and dead skin cells on the skin's surface. However, you shouldn't rely completely on a toner for this. A toner complements your cleanser and creates a cleansed slate for your other products to follow.

Most toners, like The Essence, contain phytic acid, a gentle exfoliant clinically proven to promote cell turnover and boost collagen production. These types of results take time to happen, they come from consistency. If you're consistent with your toner, you'll notice a change in skin texture, fewer fine lines, and smaller pores. During our 12-week user trials, 96% of participants agreed that skin texture looks and feels more even after using The Essence, and 89% agreed discoloration and pigmentation were visibly reduced.

Serums: Four to Eight Weeks 

Serums typically contain higher concentrations of beneficial skincare ingredients. These are great for anyone looking to take a more targeted approach to their routine and want to address certain skin concerns.  However, just because they're more potent doesn't mean it works any faster than other skincare products. You can expect ingredients like resveratrol and vitamin C to take around 4-8 weeks before you start seeing results. The exact timing may vary depending on how consistent you are with your usage and how potent the formulas are. 

The Serum features an innovative blend of Rice Bran Oil, Edelweiss and Pomegranate Seed extract, and Vitamin C to reduce the appearance of premature aging, brighten your skin tone, and support collagen production. Users saw results in 12 weeks of consistent use during our clinical trials. Participants noticed The Serum reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 85% and reduced the appearance of hyperpigmentation by 80%.

Eye Cream: Four to Eight Weeks

If you struggle with under-eye bags or dark circles, you know just how essential a good eye cream is to your skincare routine. While eye creams can instantly hydrate, they can take much longer than you think to work on deeper concerns. Eye creams take roughly 4-8 weeks to make a difference. Most people use eye creams to reduce wrinkles, eliminate hyperpigmentation, and improve the visual appearance of their under eyes. These types of results take time and won't happen overnight. 

If you're struggling with under-eye puffiness and dark circles, The Eye Cream is what your skincare routine is missing. This creamy, weightless texture can increase elasticity under your eyes, helping you achieve a more youthful and plump look. 

Moisturizers: One to Two Weeks

A moisturizer is a must-have for any effective skincare routine. These ultra-hydrating formulas help your skin retain moisture and protect your face from environmental stressors. If you find a moisturizer packed with potent, hydrating ingredients, you can expect them to work between 1-2 weeks. However, everyone's skin is different. If you need help with dry, oily, or acne-prone skin - you may find your moisturizer will take a little longer to work. 

The Rich Cream is our original award-winning daily moisturizer. Formulated with high-potency botanicals rich in omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants, this glow-giving cream is perfect for anyone with normal to dry skin. With consistency, this formula can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, support skin barrier function, and help you achieve a soft, supple appearance with every use. 

Retinol: Four to Eight weeks

Retinol is derived from vitamin A and is a popular ingredient for its anti-aging capabilities. While experts recommend consistent use for skincare routine results, be careful not to irritate your skin. It's best to work retinol into your skincare routine slowly. If you're using it too often too quickly, it can lead to redness, irritation, and skin sensitivities. 

For the best results, start using it once a week and slowly work up to every other day or once a day. Once your skin has acclimated to consistent retinol use, you can expect results anywhere from 4-8 weeks.  

With a prescription from your dermatologist, you can access retinoids, a pharmaceutical-grade retinol that's higher strength and may help you see results quicker. You can always try The Retinol Serum for similar results if you don't have a retinoid prescription. Our formula contains a complementary blend of Pure Retinol and TFC8® designed to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while optimizing the skin microbiome. This is a targeted solution, ideal to add to your nighttime routine, especially if you have oily, dry, or aging skin. 

Spot Treatments: Instantly 

Spot treatments are arguably one of the quickest-acting skincare products. If you have an unwanted pimple on your face, place a hydrocolloid patch over the pimple. This will speed up the healing process and minimize the look and feel of the pimple in as quickly as 8-12 hours. 

Many spot treatments, pimple patches, and eye treatments are on the market. You never know when you might get an unwanted pimple or need a quick fix, so it's always great to have them ready for an emergency. 

If your under-eye skin needs some extra TLC, we recommend trying The Eye Patches. These revitalizing hydrogel eye patches help you take a more targeted approach to dark circles and puffy under eyes. Apply the eye patches under your eyes and let them sit for 20 minutes for instant brightening and smoothing. Repeat this process two to three times a week for the best results. 

Tips for Seeing Skincare Results 

So, how long does it take for skin care to work? You'll need to consider a few other factors before you throw in the towel and start looking for a new formula. 

Everyone's skin is different. So while it may take two weeks to see results with a retinol serum, it might take someone else closer to four or six weeks. Always pay attention to your skin and give each product time to work its magic before searching for a replacement. If you still feel like the product isn't doing anything for you, consider looking at other options. 

Consistency is key for results. Once you add a new product into your skincare routine, you should use it consistently as part of your daytime and nighttime routine. If you feel like a product isn't working for your skin, but you are only using it every other day or once a week - there's no way of knowing if the problem is the product or the inconsistencies in your routine. Stay consistent, be patient, and pay attention to your skin. 

Great results start with great formulas. When looking for new skincare products to add to your routine, you'll want to look at the ingredient label, looking for good-for-your-skin ingredients backed by science and research. You'll also want to avoid ingredients like fragrances, parabens, and alcohol since they can irritate the skin.

Before incorporating a new product into your routine, you'll want to test for allergies and irritation. Some products contain harsher ingredients that aren't necessarily bad for your skin but need to be eased into your daily routine. This is especially true if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Once you find a product you want to try, you can do a patch test behind your ear or on your neck. If you notice redness, patchy skin, or irritation - it may not fit your routine.  

Build a Skincare Routine That Delivers Results With Augustinus Bader

The truth is: How long it takes to see results from a new skincare routine will always vary. When building a skincare routine that delivers results - it's always best to start with high-end formulas that are clinically proven to help you achieve the soft, supple skin you're craving. 

At Augustinus Bader, our skincare essentials result from over 30 years of research and clinical trials. We've spent countless years perfecting our formulas and testing different ingredients - so you can feel confident in the products you incorporate into your skincare routine.

Explore our selection of skincare essentials today to get started.