The purpose of every skincare enthusiast is to achieve flawless and radiant beauty through the use of serums, creams, and moisturizers. However, have you ever wondered why your expensive skin potions fall short of their hype? 

This article discusses important questions, such as "What is pilling skincare?" "How long does it take for skincare to work?" and other key factors that prevent you from reaching your true potential (despite splurging on numerous skin products.)

Incorrect application

With hundreds of skin products available, there is bound to be confusion about the correct use and application of these products. Just like with any skincare product, there is always a chance that a particular kind of face serum and cream may not be the best choice for you. Using a face moisturizer designed for oily skin if you have dry skin won't do much to assist your skin. Hence, to achieve positive results, it's important to pick a face serum that is specially formulated for your skin type. 

In addition, it's also crucial to understand how the product is applied to achieve the best result. Many people are fond of not preparing their skin with a toner before applying a serum. This inability reduces the potency of the results, preventing the serum from reaching its full potential. When applying face cream like Dermaclara's Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, pick out a pea-sized amount and directly apply it to your face and neck with clean hands and fingertips. 

Then, spread the cream evenly by stroking your skin in a circular motion, ensuring it properly seeps into the deep layers of the skin. This procedure is entirely different for serums, as rubbing serum into your skin can cause havoc. Rather, we recommend you gently pat it into your pores to promote optimum absorption for efficient skin care results.

Incompatible products 

Many ask, "Does skin care really work?" after using several serum types as they believe more is more efficient. While applying many layers of serums may seem like a brilliant approach to get nutrients deeper into your skin, it's important to know that not all serum components can be combined. It's also crucial to understand that though you see many people layer hundreds of serums together, you should not do the same, as the effects might be costly and cause skincare pilling. Dermatologists advise that the concentrated nutrients in each serum type are likely to cause skin irritation and even reverse the effects of the treatments. 

This reduced effectiveness is because certain substances don't get along well with one another, and when mixed, it may raise the risk of irritation or even cancel out each other. For instance, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, and vitamin A derivatives like retinol and retinoids are popular dermatologists' anti-aging treatments that should not be mixed. 

Although they both aid in flattening wrinkles and promoting collagen formation, the combination of both products could exfoliate the skin and cause increased sensitivity. This can inadvertently lead to dead skin pilling, sunburn, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and UV ray damage. It can also damage your skin barrier, and cause burns in certain people. 

Expired products 

Have you ever wondered, "Why is my skincare not working?" Many skincare products have a set shelf life, just like food goods. What then happens if one uses this skincare, especially on sensitive areas of our skin? According to dermatologists, even the priciest oils, serums, and lotions for skin care eventually lose their effectiveness due to expiration. Even though you might be tempted to keep using them for a time, using some sort of expired skincare product has some implications. 

Even if a skincare product does not breed bacteria after its expiration date, it probably won't function as well as it once did, hence the reason why manufacturers show that the stability of the product depends on the expiration date. Although we are unsure of the possible damage the expired product will cause, we can guarantee that it will lose a great percentage of its effectiveness over time. 

Thus, you should discard your expired items if you want to truly benefit your skin. Also, we advise you to throw out products that frequently touch your facial skin or delicate areas like the eyelids and lips within 90 days of usage because they may have become a breeding ground for bacteria. Watch how the product looks or feels to know when to discard your skincare. If the ingredients start to separate, the color changes dramatically, or the product starts to smell rotten, it's time to bin it immediately.

Inadequate quantity 

Is your skincare not working? Are your serums and creams not reaching their full potential? While it's advisable to use your cosmetics before they oxidize or expire, it's always preferable to apply them in the right quantity. We advise using the right quantity as applying too much or too little product can tamper with your skin results. Also, over-cleansing or using too many skin products over time can damage your skin barrier and put your skin health at risk. 

Improper storage

You may have observed your mother keeping Q-tips in closed jars or keeping lipstick in the refrigerator during the summer as a child. Well, our parents were simply preserving their cosmetics to preserve their shelf life. Likewise, we can learn one or two things from them by doing something similar to our skincare products. Now that our beauty stash has significantly improved, its storage is more challenging. 

Not all skin products are intended to be kept chilled or consumed rapidly. Ensure you look for a symbol on the label that depicts a jar with the lid open and a number written on it to determine how it should be stored as it provides information about a product's shelf life. For instance, if it says "6M" on it, the product has a 6-month shelf life following opening. In addition, several cosmeceutical skincare products also include directions for storage and identify precise expiration dates. 

For instance, vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that has significant skin impact such as protecting against UV ray damage and whitening the skin, requires specific storage methods. It must be prepared, packaged, and stored correctly to keep its effectiveness and antioxidant properties because it is unstable to light. Vitamin-C-based products should be stored in darkness to retain their potency.

Heat can also make many active substances useless. Due to this, many products, especially eye creams containing Retinol or other anti-aging products, are stored in the refrigerator. It's important to remember, though, that while storing skincare products in a refrigerator keeps them cold and extends their shelf life, freezing temperatures can have the reverse effect. Finally, make sure you're not keeping any items near windows or other places where the air can get too hot or cold, especially if you live somewhere with harsh weather conditions.

Inconsistent use

Inconsistent usage of skincare products like Dermaclara's Claraprep Cream-to-foam Cleanser can derail your skincare progress. Poor use of the cleanser can prevent the complete cleaning, and clogged pores can lead to breakouts when dirt and debris are left behind. Also, eye creams hydrate and soothe dry skin while also minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. They are undoubtedly loaded with vitamins and nutrient-rich substances. We recommend you consistently use a small amount of eye cream to cover the entire eye area. Also, regularly apply a generous amount of body lotions to cover your entire body evenly. Finally, you should consistently use a blueberry-sized amount of moisturizer to cover your face, neck, and decolletage to get the most out of your facial skincare routine. Proper and consistent use of skin care can help your skin texture and appearance.