There's a new skincare trend making waves in the beauty industry, and this one looks like it's here to stay. The "slow beauty" movement reinforces the value of taking things slow in your skincare routine to achieve sustainable, long-term results. It empowers skincare enthusiasts to become more educated on how their products work and encourages brands to become more transparent about realistic timeframes for achieving results. The skincare market has seen its fair share of products that promise dramatic results quickly, leading consumers to have inflated expectations and become frustrated when they don't see an instant transformation. There is no overnight miracle, and you should look at your skincare routine like any new habit. For example, if your goal was to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, you would start by implementing healthy choices daily with a consistent routine. You wouldn't go to the gym one time, eat a salad for lunch, and expect to have your dream body. We all know it takes consistency and patience to form any new habit and achieve any goal. The same principles apply to your skincare, and results take time.
The key to achieving your skin goals is developing a consistent routine with products that target your skin concerns, and learning how your skincare works is the first step to understanding when to expect results. Keep reading to explore what slow beauty is, the benefits of the "slow beauty" movement, and to define realistic timelines for results with your skincare routine.
The Benefits of "Slow Beauty"
Over the last few years, transparency has shifted in the beauty industry, calling for brands to stop over-promising immediate results. In 2023, beauty consumers are highly educated in skincare, know the right questions to ask and turn to their dermatologists for guidance. Gone are the days when pretty packaging and a killer marketing campaign got all the praise 🙌 The development of better skincare education and formula transparency is the change the beauty industry has been waiting for. Slow beauty principles are all about helping you reach your complexion goals while maintaining the health of your skin.
Instant Results vs. Long-Term Results
When it comes to skincare, we all want results, and we want them fast. The good news is you don't always have to wait to see the results your skin has been craving. There are tools and topicals on the market that offer instant benefits, such as pore vacuum tools, peels, blemish-fighting spot treatments, radiance-boosting serums, and hydrating facial creams. These products can give you an instant glow, help combat stubborn skin concerns after the first treatment, and can be a godsend when you have a special event or occasion and need your skin to look its absolute best. However, it's important to remember that not all skin concerns can be solved instantly. Some, like fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, require more patience and consistency. For these concerns, active ingredients such as retinol, AHA, BHA, and vitamin C take several weeks of consistent use before seeing noticeable changes. So, balancing instant results and long-term benefits in your skincare routine is essential. Let's explore some instant-fix solutions and products with active ingredients that require more time to address your deep-rooted skin concerns.
GLOfacial
This at-home hydration facial tool is your solution for stubborn blackheads, excess oil, and uneven texture in one easy-to-use treatment. Like a vortex vacuum for your pores, the GLOfacial pore cleansing tool gently pulls out dirt, oil, and makeup from pores helping them appear smaller while resurfacing texture & infusing skin with clarifying Salicylic and plumping Hyaluronic Acid. This at-home treatment collects all the gunk hiding below the surface in a waste chamber, providing the instant gratification we're all looking for! Not only do you get to see it, you feel the difference in your skin immediately. This must-have pore detox leaves skin baby soft, plump, and clear after just one use, and the results only get better with time!
The Daily
Vitamin C is essential to any routine for healthy, glowing skin. The Daily Vitamin C serum is a daily "skincare smoothie" powered by a complex of 8 glow-inducing vitamins. This powerful, acid-free, non-irritating form of vitamin C reduces discoloration, brightens tone, and smoothes texture while accelerating the skin's natural healing process. Vitamin C can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks of consistent use to yield noticeable results.
The Nightly
The Nightly is our deep-release retinol complex that works to identify and repair damage deep within the skin. This powerhouse serum contains collagen-boosting peptides, hyaluronic acid-filling spheres, and stem cell technology that plumps out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while creating firmer, smoother-looking skin. Retinol treatments can take up to 24 weeks of consistent use to see results, depending on the skin concern you are targeting.
So, how long will it take active ingredients to work?
That depends on the active ingredient and the skin concern you're treating. For example, if your skin concern is dryness, using a hydrating facial cream will immediately give you results. However, your skincare will need more time to do its magic if you are targeting more deep-rooted concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. Most active ingredients will need at least 4 weeks (1 skin cycle) of consistent use before you see any changes, so that's a good place to start.
Here's a timeline of common skin concerns and the active ingredients to treat them that will help give you an idea of when you'll see results:
Retinol
Fine Lines & Wrinkles - 12-24 weeks
Acne & Enlarged Pores - 4-12 weeks
Hyperpigmentation (dark spots) - 6 months
AHA
Fine Lines & Wrinkles - 3-9 months
Acne & Enlarged Pores - 3-7 weeks
Hyperpigmentation (dark spots) - 4-5 months
BHA
Acne & Enlarged Pores - 2-12 weeks
Vitamin C
Fine Lines & Wrinkles - 8-12 weeks
Dullness - 3-6 weeks
Hyperpigmentation (dark spots) - 6-8 weeks
Pro Tip: Be sure to use SPF 30 or higher every day to protect your skin and support treatment results.
When it comes to active ingredients in skincare, patience is key. It's not uncommon to see skincare enthusiasts reach for the most potent treatment in hopes of combating their stubborn skin concerns in less time. The truth is, this can do far more harm than good. Your skin goes through a natural renewal process. The skin regeneration cycle typically takes around 28 days. During this time, old skin cells are shed and replaced with new ones, and new skin cells need time to adjust to skincare ingredients. Reaching for a skincare treatment with the highest concentration can lead to skin irritation and cause damage to the precious skin barrier. The best way to keep your skin healthy is to increase concentration slowly over time.
This is called "the titration method"...
Commonly used when incorporating retinol into your skincare routine. Retinol is a powerful ingredient that can help with various skin concerns, including fine lines, dark spots, wrinkles, and acne. But retinol can cause some harsh reactions if not used correctly. That's where the titration method comes in. With this method, you start with a low concentration of retinol and slowly increase the concentration over time, allowing your skin to adjust and minimizing the risk of irritation. Of course, results won't happen overnight, but by slowly building up the concentration of retinol, you'll see a gradual improvement. The titration method is a great way to incorporate retinol into your skincare routine without causing unnecessary damage to your skin.
Ready to see amazing results for yourself? Check out R45 The Reversal, a patented 3-phase retinol night cream that harnesses the power of the titration method. This 3-phase treatment is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, tighten enlarged pores, and repair uneven skin tone without harsh side effects. This retinol booster system is so powerful you'll only need to use it twice a year!
With the rise of the "slow beauty movement," the skincare industry is embracing the reality that results don't happen overnight. Remember, active ingredients take time to work and need to be used consistently for maximum benefits. It will take time to transform your skin, but with the right skincare tools and topicals, you can start your journey toward a healthy glow that stands the test of time!