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Skincare Ingredients: How Long Until You Start Seeing Results

There’s really no way to sugarcoat it but takes a while for you to start seeing results from skincare products. There are products that you can apply to give you a temporary boost for your appearance like eye creams to help with puffiness, or moisturizers to treat flaky skin, but it will take weeks for long-term results to start appearing. The key to a skincare routine is having the discipline to stick with it, and patience to wait for the results. Here are four ingredients found in skincare products and the average time it takes for you to start noticing results:

  • Salicylic Acids – The main purpose of this ingredient is to be an anti-inflammatory agent, and an exfoliant. Salicylic acids are what comprise a lot of anti-acne treatment creams and gels. You should be able to start noticing initial results in 3 weeks, with full results starting to appear in 8 weeks.
  • Retinol – This is your first line of defense for aging and also to help treat acne. Retinol clears your skin and helps it stay youthful-looking. Keep in mind that Retinol is different from Retinoids – as retinoids are by prescription only. Retinols can be purchased OTC and you can start seeing results after about 6 to 8 weeks of consistent use.
  • Glycolic Acid – Primarily an exfoliant, this ingredient peels away the topmost layer of your skin where all the dead cells and bacteria are to expose the younger and more supple layers underneath. As far as results go, you can start seeing fewer blemishes after about 4 weeks. In 8 weeks your skin should be looking more clear and less prone to discoloration.
  • Hyaluronic Acid – Not only is this a skincare ingredient but also a substance found in your own body. Its main use is to help plump up the skin and give you a glowing and smooth complexion. You can start to see TEMPORARY results within minutes of applying an HA cream. However, long-term results start to appear after 8 weeks of continuous use. You might see your skin become a lot more elastic, with fewer wrinkles and fine lines.