We’ve all been there; we add a new skin-care product to our regular skin-care routine and it's not working properly. Or maybe you’ve been committed to a routine for several months, but your skin goals aren’t being met.

It can be difficult to know if your skin isn’t loving your skincare routine, especially as many products take a few weeks to really show their effect. However, it’s important to identify the warning signs your skin is showing you when using certain products so that you can prevent deep damage to your skin’s acid mantle.

Your Skin’s Warning Signs

Irritation

The most obvious sign that your skin is reacting poorly to certain skincare products is irritation. Skin irritation can present as dryness that causes itchiness. This can occur almost immediately after applying products and is very common with products that contain harsh cleansers, fragrances or harsh active ingredients.

Occasionally, irritation can occur as a result of incorrectly using products rather than a reaction to particular ingredients.

Breakouts

Breakouts can be a consequence of various environmental or internal changes. However, if you’ve recently added something new to your skincare routine and you’re experiencing more pimples than usual, that’s a sign that your skin is reacting to your skincare.

The new products that you are using may not be removing the excess dirt and sebum from your skin, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Additionally, if you’re using a heavier moisturiser this can restrict your pores, leading to breakouts.

If you’ve started using a gentler cleanser or toner, this could be your skin becoming used to a less harsh cleanse. Be patient for a few weeks whilst your skin adapts, but if the problem persists, consider swapping out the product for a new one or returning to the previous one you were using.

Tightness

It’s a common misconception that tight skin is healthy skin. In fact, if your skin is feeling tight that indicates that you’ve over-cleansed the natural oils from your skin. This can compromise the health of your skin’s natural barrier and impact the rest of your skincare routine.

Try using a gentler or oil-based cleanser, depending on your skin type. This can help preserve the natural oils produced whilst keeping your skin cleansed.

Redness

Redness may be one of the most visually concerning reactions to skincare as it is often the most immediate and visible. If you find that a new product is making your skin become inflamed, immediately stop using the product as this could be a sign of a serious reaction. If redness persists, seek medical advice.

No Improvement

Nothing is more frustrating than trying that new wonder product and finding that it isn’t delivering the results that you want it to. Although certain skincare products take a certain amount of time to start showing positive changes to your skin if you’re finding that after a month of consistent use there’s no improvement on your skin it might be time to retire that product.

How to Avoid the Skin Warning Signs

Although your skin will tell you quickly if your skincare isn’t working for you, it’s always better to be safe with new skin products than sorry.

Patch testing new products is key to avoiding a widespread reaction, even if your skin isn’t particularly sensitive. Try a small sample of each product before you commit to applying it to your entire face and pay attention to your skin’s response (or lack of). If you experience any of the skin warning signs, it’s best to avoid using the product.

When introducing new skincare to your routine, make sure that you’re only adding one new product at a time. This means that if you experience any of the skin warning signs, it is easier to pinpoint what product is causing the problem and cycle it out of your routine.

Finally, pay attention to your skin type when shopping for skincare. If you have oily skin, likely, a dry skin range would not be loved by your skin. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin, be sure that you are using gentle skincare to prevent skin warning signs.

Sebamed offers a range of skin-care products that are gentle and focus on promoting the health of the skin with a pH value 5.5.