Facial care: how long does it take for a cosmetic active ingredient to act?

Soin du visage : combien de temps faut-il pour qu'un actif cosmétique agisse ?
Whatever your skin concern, there is nothing more rewarding than observing the effects of a treatment on your face. However, how long will you have to wait? Here is the answer.

For every skin concern, there is an appropriate solution. A hyaluronic acid serum for skin hydration and plumpness, a little vitamin C to revive radiance, a glycolic acid treatment to reduce blemishes, or even a retinol supplement for anti-aging action. ... The basics are well understood. Once you have the ideal treatment in hand, the urge to apply it to prove itself is irresistible. However, you will need to be patient. But how long exactly?
VARIABLE DURATION DUE TO MULTIPLE FACTORS
30 days, 4 weeks, 1 month. This is the minimum duration often mentioned to see the first results of a cosmetic product on the skin of your face. At least, that's what we usually hear. These theoretical figures correspond to the natural cycle of skin renewal, that is to say the average time required for your skin, in particular its cells, to regenerate completely. This average duration allows the epidermis to assimilate the benefits of the treatment and its active ingredients.

However, according to our expert, this answer is debatable. "In general, with skincare products, it takes up to 12 weeks of regular, continuous use of the product to see positive effects on the skin." This considerable delay is explained by taking into account various factors that can influence the moment when you will start to notice a visible difference on your skin. These factors include the active itself, the initial state of your skin, the formulation around the active, the texture of the product, the frequency of use, and of course, your entire skincare routine. .

There is no universal answer, therefore. "Some ingredients work faster than others on the skin. In general, substances like exfoliating acids and retinoids provide more immediate results due to their ability to speed up cell turnover. On the other hand, elements such as natural moisturizing factors, niacinamide, and antioxidants don't provide instant results, but support long-term skin health."

It is therefore obvious that the effects can be both short-term and long-term. The expert specifies that "the clinical trials are planned in such a way that the product has enough time to offer its cosmetic benefits to the skin." And she adds, "Clinical control steps are standardized against a group of participants, not an individual progression."
HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF AN ASSET?
Even if it is difficult to precisely predict the time necessary for the action of a cosmetic active ingredient, certain gestures can help to promote its effectiveness. The expert recommends a three-step routine: preparation, treatment and sealing. "The first step involves using products to prepare the skin to receive care effectively. This includes facial cleansers and toners." Then, "the second step is to apply serums to target your main skin concerns. We recommend not using more than three serums in the same routine, and above all, to be careful not to mix incompatible active ingredients." Finally, "the third step closes the routine with the application of more powerful moisturizers, which act as an additional barrier to seal the active ingredients, allowing them to maintain their action on the skin." It is therefore advantageous to adopt a complete and well-balanced routine to promote the penetration of active ingredients and maximize their effects on the targeted problem.

Finally, it is important to note that "care may not instantly change the appearance of the skin. However, it is essential to maintain a regular routine. The products must be used long enough for the results to become visible. Regularity is the key to long-term skin support, allowing skin to maintain a healthy appearance." After 12 weeks, if despite your patience, no improvement is observed, then it will be time to consider that the active ingredient has not fulfilled its role and to rethink your skin care routine.