8 Signs Your Skincare Routine Needs an Update

Feb 28, 2025

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Your skincare routine might not be working if you notice these signs:

Your skin feels too dry or oily. Changes in moisture levels could mean your products aren’t balancing your skin properly.
New skin irritation. Redness, itching, or sensitivity could indicate your products are too harsh or no longer suitable.
Acne in new areas. Breakouts in spots like the jawline, T-zone, or hairline might signal the need for targeted solutions.
Loss of skin brightness. Dullness can result from dead skin buildup, environmental damage, or dehydration.
Visible signs of aging. Fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin may require anti-aging ingredients like retinol or peptides.
Products aren’t absorbing. If your products sit on your skin, it could be due to dead skin buildup or layering issues.
Weather impacts your skin. Seasonal changes like winter dryness or summer oiliness might require routine adjustments.
No results after regular use. If your products stop delivering results, it might be time to switch things up.

Quick Fixes to Improve Your Routine:

Use products tailored to your current skin type and concerns.
Incorporate ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, salicylic acid for acne, or Vitamin C for brightness.
Adjust your routine seasonally to protect your skin from environmental stressors.
Be consistent but flexible - your skin’s needs change over time.

Pro Tip: Always apply sunscreen daily to prevent 80% of visible skin aging caused by sun damage. If problems persist, consult a dermatologist for personalized advice.

10 Skincare Tips for Updating Your Routine

Sign 1: Skin Too Dry or Oily

If your skin feels excessively dry or oily, it might be time to adjust your routine. Research indicates that 66–75% of young adults deal with oily skin, while dryness tends to increase with age.

How Skin Moisture Changes Over Time

Your skin's moisture levels can shift due to age and seasonal factors. For instance, sebum production decreases after menopause in women and after age 60 in men. During winter, indoor heating can dry out your skin, while summer's humidity often leads to increased oiliness.

To check your skin's current condition:

For dryness: Lightly run your fingernails over your skin - flaking suggests dryness.
For oiliness: Dab your cheeks, forehead, and nose with blotting sheets - excess oil will leave visible marks.

"As skin dries, it shrinks and causes cracks, which can get deep, painful, and even start to bleed. Cracks allow germs and bacteria to enter the body, which can potentially lead to a skin infection." – Melanie Speed, RN, BSN, CAN

Once you've identified your skin type, choose products tailored to its moisture needs.

Recommended Products for Moisture Balance

Skin Type	Product	Key Ingredients	Price Range
Dry	CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser	Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid	Under $15
Dry	Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum	Vitamin B5, Hyaluronic Acid	Over $45
Oily	Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser	Salicylic Acid	Under $15
Oily	Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel	Hyaluronic Acid	Under $15

"To control oily skin, I recommend using a BHA like salicylic acid, which can penetrate pores to exfoliate excess sebum buildup, keeping oil buildup at bay." – Dr. Jeannette Graf, Board-Certified Dermatologist

For dry skin, steer clear of alcohol-based toners and harsh exfoliants. Instead, focus on products with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. If your skin is oily, opt for lightweight, water-based moisturizers instead of heavy creams.

Sign 2: New Skin Irritation

Noticing sudden skin irritation? This could mean your skincare products are no longer working well for your skin. Recent research shows that about 71% of people now report having sensitive skin - a sharp rise of 55% over the last two decades.

Common Skin Irritants

Certain ingredients in everyday skincare products are known to trigger reactions like redness, itching, or dryness. Here are some common culprits:

Fragrances: Found as "Fragrance", "parfum", or essential oils, these can cause burning or itching.
Preservatives: Ingredients like methylparaben, DMDM hydantoin, and MIT are linked to contact dermatitis.
Sulfates: SLS, SLES, or ALS may lead to dryness and irritation.
Chemical Exfoliants: Glycolic acid and lactic acid can increase sensitivity or lead to peeling.
Dyes: Additives like FD&C Red 40 or D&C Yellow #11 might trigger allergic reactions.

"Fragrance is [a] huge cause [of] allergies. The thing that [is] very difficult with fragrances is that there's nothing that these companies have to do to show all of their ingredients. So that's typically how they're able to hide a little bit is because they say, 'Oh, this is a protected ingredient so that nobody can get our same fragrance.'" - Dr. Ambur

Even products labeled as hypoallergenic or dermatologist-tested aren't guaranteed to be irritation-free. Always do a patch test before using any new product on your face.

How to Calm Sensitive Skin

If your skin is reacting, here’s how you can soothe it:

Stop Using Problematic Products: Immediately stop using anything that seems to trigger irritation. Keeping a log of your reactions can help identify patterns.
Opt for Gentle Alternatives: Look for products with calming ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, oat extract, niacinamide, or hyaluronic acid.
Support Your Skin Barrier: Use gentle, fragrance-free products to help restore your skin’s natural defenses.

"Sensitive skin requires extra-gentle care, regardless of whether your skin type is oily, normal, dry, or combination. It generally has a lower tolerance to cosmetic ingredients, which can result in stinging, burning, itching, and redness."

If your symptoms don’t improve after two weeks, consider consulting a dermatologist for tailored advice.

Sign 3: Acne in Different Places

Getting acne in new spots can be a sign that your skincare routine might need some adjustments. Acne is something nearly 80% of people deal with at some point in their lives.

Why New Breakouts Happen

Acne can show up in different areas of the face for various reasons:

T-zone: This area often breaks out due to excess oil (sebum), which suggests the need for better oil control.
Hairline: "Pomade acne" happens when hair products clog your pores.
Jawline and Lower Face: Hormonal acne typically appears here as firm, non-pus-filled bumps.

"It's a common misconception to think of acne as a teenage disease. One of the most common reasons adult women between the ages 20 of 40, for example, come to the dermatology clinic is for acne. Clinical trial data revealed that approximately 50% of women in their 20s, 33% of women in their 30s, and 25% of women in their 40s suffer from acne."

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, Yale Medicine dermatologist

Knowing why breakouts occur in specific areas can help you choose the right treatments.

Best Acne Solutions

Location	Common Causes	Recommended Solutions
T-zone	Excess oil, bacteria	Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid cleansers
Hairline	Hair products	Non-comedogenic hair care, gentle cleansing
Jawline	Hormones, friction	Hormonal treatments, avoiding irritation
Cheeks	Contact irritation	Clean phones and pillowcases regularly

Tips for Managing Acne

Daily Care Basics
Wash your face 1-2 times a day with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. Over-washing can irritate your skin and make acne worse.
Watch for Environmental Triggers
Many women (39-85%) notice their acne worsens before their period. Keep track of your breakouts to see if they're linked to hormonal changes, stress, or even the weather.
Key Ingredients to Look For
Use products with:
- Benzoyl peroxide to target bacteria
- Salicylic acid to exfoliate and clear pores
- Retinoids to promote skin cell turnover

"Pimples are a common skin condition caused by clogged or inflamed oil glands or an increased presence of pimple-causing bacteria on your skin."

Cleveland Clinic

If these strategies don’t work, consider consulting a dermatologist, especially for hormonal acne.

Sign 4: Loss of Skin Brightness

When your skin starts looking dull, it’s a clear sign to rethink your skincare routine. Dermatologists describe dull skin as flat, lifeless, and sometimes even grayish.

Just like changes in moisture, irritation, or acne can signal the need for a skincare update, a lack of brightness is another indicator that your routine might need tweaking.

Why Skin Loses Its Glow

Several factors can strip your skin of its natural radiance:

Dead Skin Cell Buildup: As you age, your skin’s renewal process slows down. This allows dead cells to pile up, blocking light and making your skin appear dull.
Environmental Factors: Pollution, UV exposure, and smoking can all take a toll. Free radicals from these sources damage your skin, while smoking, in particular, breaks down collagen and elastic fibers.

"Dull skin is usually used to describe skin that lacks radiance or luminosity, that dewy look we all strive for."
– Dr. Elizabeth B. Houshmand, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Skincare.com Consultant

Daily Habits: Things like dehydration, poor makeup removal, lack of sleep, stress, and overusing mattifying products can all contribute to dullness.

The good news? The right ingredients can help revive your skin’s glow.

Ingredients to Brighten Your Skin

Here are some proven ingredients to bring back that healthy radiance:

Ingredient	Benefits	Best Time to Use
Vitamin C	Antioxidant that helps block melanin	Morning
Retinol	Boosts cell turnover	Evening
Niacinamide	Reduces discoloration (35–68% melanosome transfer inhibition)	Anytime
Alpha Arbutin	Safe melanin blocker	Morning or evening
AHAs/BHAs	Exfoliates dead skin cells	Evening

"Exfoliation is the best way to smooth skin's surface so it reflects light and appears glowing or brightened."
– Sabina Wizemann, GH Beauty Lab Director

Clinical Evidence: A study revealed that 94% of participants saw noticeable improvements in brightness after using a serum with 25% Vitamin C and Glutathione.

Pro Tips for Brighter Skin

Combine niacinamide with retinol to enhance brightness while reducing irritation.
Use Vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night for optimal results.
A humidifier can help maintain your skin’s hydration levels.

With the right approach and targeted ingredients, you can reclaim your skin’s natural glow.

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Sign 5: More Visible Aging Signs

Seeing more fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging? It might be time to rethink your skincare routine. Starting in your 30s, skin loses about 1–2% of collagen and elastin each year. For women, collagen loss can spike to as much as 30% during perimenopause.

How Aging Affects Skin

Skin aging happens due to two main processes:

Intrinsic Aging:

Skin becomes thinner and drier.
Fine wrinkles start to appear.
Elasticity decreases over time.

Extrinsic Aging:

UV exposure, which accounts for 80% of facial aging.
Lifestyle habits like poor sleep, stress, and smoking.

"Having a good skin care practice early on, for both men and women, is all about the long game. The 20s is about prevention and later on in life we start targeting our specific needs."
– Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, board-certified dermatologist

Top Anti-Aging Ingredients to Look For

Choosing the right ingredients can help address these changes:

Ingredient	Benefits	Best Time to Use	Important Notes
Retinoids	Smooths skin, boosts collagen	Evening	Start with a low strength
Vitamin C	Reduces fine lines, fights sun damage	Morning	Replace every 6 months
Peptides	Firms sagging skin	Any time	Supports skin barrier repair
Ceramides	Replenishes skin lipids	Any time	Safe for daily use
Hyaluronic Acid	Hydrates for a plumper look	Any time	Apply under moisturizer

For the best results, follow this application order:

Morning: Use a Vitamin C serum, then apply sunscreen.
Evening: Apply retinol before your moisturizer.
Be patient - results often take about 3 months to appear.

Key Prevention Tips

Protecting your skin is just as important as treating it. Here’s how:

Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen every day.
Avoid direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m..
Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
Stay hydrated and eat nutrient-dense foods.

"Regular use of sunscreen is hands-down the most important product in your anti-aging routine. And not just for summer or when you're going to be outside on a sunny day. Use sunscreen every day."
– Samantha Stein, PA-C

Keep in mind that UVA rays can pass through windows, so daily sunscreen is non-negotiable. Incorporating these steps into your routine will help manage the visible effects of aging over time.

Sign 6: Products Not Sinking In

If your skincare products seem to just sit on your skin instead of absorbing, it might be time to tweak your routine.

Why Products Sit on the Surface

Several reasons could be causing this issue:

Dead Skin Cell Buildup: Layers of dead cells can create a barrier, making it harder for products to penetrate.
Skin Saturation: Your skin can only take in so much. Dr. Lía Fabiano, Director of the LF Clinic, explains:

"The skin is not a sponge that can absorb everything you put on it. It absorbs only the amount of cream it needs; putting more on saturates it and is counterproductive."
Incorrect Product Layering: Applying products in the wrong order can block absorption. Elisabeth San Gregorio, Medik8's Technical Director, notes:

"Impermeable skin is so saturated that products can't penetrate well; much of [the product] stays on the surface or even evaporates without being able to fulfill the purposes for which it is formulated."

By recognizing these obstacles, you can make adjustments that help your skincare work better.

How to Improve Product Absorption

Here are some practical solutions to tackle common absorption issues:

Issue	Solution	Best Practice
Dead Skin Buildup	Chemical Exfoliation	Use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toner
Product Saturation	Proper Amount	Apply only the recommended amount
Incorrect Layering	Correct Order	Layer water-based products before oil-based ones
Poor Penetration	Product Selection	Opt for smaller molecule formulations

Steps to Maximize Absorption:

Start with a Clean Base
Thoroughly cleanse your skin to remove impurities.
Layer Strategically
Raquel González, Cosmetologist and Technical Director for Perricone MD, suggests:

"Cosmetics should be applied from lightest to thickest, starting with water-based formulas and ending with oil-based products. The skin barrier is composed of lipids and, if we start the routine with an oily product, we will reinforce that, creating a film that will prevent other cosmetics from penetrating."
Boost Absorption Techniques
- Apply products to slightly damp skin
- Use facial massage to improve circulation
- Incorporate AHAs or toners to increase permeability
- Keep your skin hydrated consistently

Fine-tune the amount of product you use based on your skin's needs. Making these small changes can help you get the most out of your skincare routine while addressing other seasonal or external challenges.

Sign 7: Weather Effects on Skin

Weather and Skin Health

Seasonal changes can have a noticeable impact on your skin. If your skin struggles to adjust, it might be time to tweak your routine.

"Keeping our hands, feet and face protected from the cold weather is an essential part of preventing dry skin as well as stopping it from worsening."

Common Winter Issues:

Indoor heating lowers humidity, drying out skin
Cold weather weakens the skin's barrier, making it prone to irritation, dermatitis, and environmental damage

Typical Summer Problems:

Increased oil production
Pores becoming clogged due to humidity
Skin feeling sticky and uncomfortable

Recognizing these seasonal challenges allows you to make smarter adjustments to your skincare routine.

Skincare Adjustments for Every Season

Your skin's needs shift with the seasons, so updating your routine is key.

Season	Skin Challenges	Suggested Adjustments
Winter	Dry, irritated skin	Use rich creams with ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Spring	Allergy-related dryness	Add hydrating treatments
Summer	Oily, congested skin	Opt for lightweight, non-comedogenic products
Fall	Transitional dryness	Focus on calming and soothing products

"You don't need to change every product you use, but you should switch to heavier creams when it's cold."

Here are some targeted strategies for tackling winter and summer skincare challenges:

Winter Skincare Tips:

Use gentle cleansers with glycerin to avoid stripping moisture.
Layer hydrating serums under your moisturizer.
Run a cool-mist humidifier at night to maintain skin hydration.
Limit exfoliation to once a week to prevent irritation.

Summer Skincare Tips:

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily.
Switch to lightweight moisturizers that won't clog pores.
Cleanse thoroughly to remove sweat and oil buildup.
Consider double cleansing to tackle excess oil.

Pay attention to your skin as the seasons change and adjust your routine accordingly.

Sign 8: No Results After Regular Use

Why Products Might Stop Working

If your skincare products seem less effective over time, several factors could be at play. It might be due to your skin adjusting to the products, a decline in the product's potency, or even changes in how your body responds to them. Sometimes, the way you apply your products could also be a factor.

Here are some common reasons for reduced effectiveness:

Your skin has adjusted to the current products.
Products may have degraded or lost their potency.
Hormonal changes could be affecting your skin's response.
Application techniques might not be optimal.

"Formulations often contain agents that provide immediate benefits such as moisturization and a dewy finish, which can create the illusion of effective results. However, for long-term improvements, it is crucial to give products enough time to work." - Dr. Kiran Sethi

Experts generally suggest giving a product 6–8 weeks to show results. But if you’ve been using the same products for months and no longer see benefits, it might be time to rethink your approach.

Timeframe for Review	Suggested Action
0–6 weeks	Monitor your skin's response.
6–12 weeks	Evaluate how well the product is working.
3–4 months	Check for lasting improvements.
6+ months	Consider updating your routine.

Steps to Restart Progress

If your skincare routine has hit a plateau, here are some ways to get back on track:

Simplify and Start Fresh
Begin with the basics: a gentle cleanser, a simple moisturizer, and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). Gradually reintroduce one new product every 1-2 weeks. Keep track of your skin's reactions and consider using products with stronger active ingredients.
Store Products Correctly
Protect your skincare products from direct sunlight, high humidity, and extreme temperatures to maintain their effectiveness.
Account for Hormonal Changes
Hormonal shifts, such as those during menopause, can impact skin hydration, healing, and collagen production. Adjust your routine to address these changes.

"Consistency is key with skincare and that sticking to ingredients that have proven benefits is the best approach, not chopping and changing your products and routine." - Dr. Jason Thomson, Head of Medical at Skin + Me

Tailor these steps to meet your skin's specific needs as they evolve over time.

Conclusion: Pay Attention to Your Skin's Needs

Your skin constantly communicates its needs, and staying alert to these signals is essential for keeping it healthy. Changes like dryness, unexpected breakouts, or sensitivity can indicate it's time to adjust your skincare routine.

Keep an eye on shifts in texture, hydration, sensitivity, how your skin reacts to the seasons, or even how well products are absorbing. If your current routine seems less effective, it might be time to reassess and choose products that better fit your skin's current state and age.

External factors such as stress, hormonal fluctuations, and environmental changes can also influence your skin's behavior. If persistent issues arise, consulting a skincare expert can provide tailored advice and solutions.

Consistency is important, but so is flexibility. Being responsive to your skin's changing needs ensures it stays healthy and radiant over time.

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