Ingredients that are worth the wait - time taken for superhero ingredients to deliver results

Ingredients that are worth the wait - time taken for superhero ingredients to deliver results

When incorporating a new skincare formulation in our regimen, the first few questions that immediately pop up in our head are, is it even going to suit my skin? How long should I continue using the products? How long for the results to finally show on my skin?
Today’s fast paced world forces us to believe in quick results, where the truth of the matter is, good things take time, and they must. Any product or ingredient that is scientifically designed has heightened benefits and intricately works towards giving you superior skin health.
Duration of use of ingredients differ from one another depending on their formulations and base they are primed with. Products that we use on our skin are usually amalgamations of many ingredients and predicting the exact time for changes to appear on the skin can be, bewildering, to say the least.
But here’s a curation of approximate timelines for you to know your products and ingredients better. Make sure to be right in time to prepare for that dewy glow!

Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide
Skin concern - Dryness & Dullness.
Approximate time to work - Hyaluronic acid acts as a sponge to attract and hold water in the skin. This action may be visible within hours of application. However, hyaluronic acid also has a multitude of other skin-repair actions that kicks in after several weeks of continuous use. It retains and locks moisture in the skin from the atmosphere, leaving behind supple and bouncy skin.

Skin concern - Hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines
Approximate time to work - AHA and BHA are a class of compounds with unprecedented cosmetic benefits. They have proven anti-aging benefits, improve hyperpigmentation in acne prone skin. They work by removing or decreasing pigmentation. They also work on improving the various components of skin cells and help minimise appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. When applied to the skin in high concentrations for short periods of time, AHA and BHA accelerate exfoliation (removal of dead skin cells) to stimulate skin renewal and improve hyperpigmentation and texture of skin. The benefits of AHA & BHA accrue over time, and cosmetic products containing these ingredients may take several week of continuous use to show effects.

Salicylic Acid
Skin concern - Clogged pores and breakouts
Approximate time to work - Salicylic acid has been used for over 2000 years for skin problems. It works by gently sloughing off the surface cells and works well for control of acne. Depending on the strength of salicylic acid in the product you are using, you can see visible effects with a few days of use. Cosmetics containing salicylic acid can take several weeks of continuous use to show visible effects. Salicylic acid also controls inflammation and has an antimicrobial action. Provided you take the requisite care that your skin requires, your acne could start to recede in about 2-6 weeks’ time. We advise a good diet, sleep and a balanced lifestyle to help maximise the benefits of salicylic on your skin. Every individual’s skin is different, and time taken for of salicylic acid to show its effects may vary.

Peptides
Skin concern - Ageing signs and fine lines
Approximate time to work - Fine lines begin to appear when the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin exceeds its synthesis. Peptides are fragments of collagen and elastin. When peptides are used for the skin, they act to enhance their own continued synthesis, thus improving fine lines associated with a aging. Peptides need to be used continuously for at least 12 weeks for their effects to start showing on the skin.

Vitamin C
Skin concern - Skin damage caused by photoaging
Approximate time to work - Vitamin C is well-tolerated when used on the skin and causes a reduction in facial wrinkles. Higher concentration of Vitamin C improves skin texture and the appearance of photoaging. Continued use helps in protection and restoration of skin damage. A study has demonstrated that topical vitamin C can start to show effects on skin healing as early 17 days.

Pair vitamin C serum with a good sunscreen that suits your skin, in order to retain the benefits of Vitamin C serum.

So go ahead and pick out the right skincare product and ingredient that suits you and your concern, and make sure to pair it up with a sunscreen of your choice for maximised results. Remember, quick results may or may not last long.