How long does it take for an active ingredient to work?

How long does one need to follow a skincare routine before seeing results?

Although there are products that can deliver visible results overnight, such as AHA-based exfoliating treatments, in most cases, no skincare product is immediately effective. It can take weeks, or even months, before a product makes a visible difference to the skin and brings about noticeable improvements, the opposite of makeup which can transform the appearance of the skin upon application.

Skincare is a long-term commitment. It requires patience and consistency.

As a general rule, the first real changes on the skin may only start to appearafter one to three months of regular and continuous use of a skincare product. Everything depends on the active ingredient used and the targeted skin problem. Hereafter, we present an approximate waiting period for each skin problem, an estimate based on various clinical study protocols.

However, if your skin has not improved once these time periods have passed after daily use, consider consulting a dermatologist to discuss medical options.

Skin Concerns	Target Active Ingredients	Results (time)
Dehydration	Hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, collagen, glycerine	A few hours (instantaneous)
Imperfections (spots, blackheads)	AHA (glycolic acid, lactic acid, etc.), BHA (salicylic acid), benzoyl peroxide, retinoids	2 to 12 weeks
Wrinkles/fine lines	AHA, peptides, retinoids	8 to 42 weeks
Redness	Azelaic acid, allantoin, niacinamide	4 to 12 weeks
Dryness	Ceramides, squalane	1 to 4 weeks
Uneven skin tone (brown spots)	Tranexamic Acid, AHA (Glycolic Acid, etc.), Niacinamide, Vitamin C	4 to 24 weeks
Dull complexion	AHA (glycolic acid, mandelic acid, etc.), PHA (gluconolactone)	2 to 4 weeks

Temps nécessaire pour que les soins de la peau donnent des résultats.

Factors that can lead to variations in time.

It is important to understand that the times mentioned above are not absolute. They can vary significantly from one person to another. Indeed, several factors can influence the results.

The severity level of skin problems.
Depending on the severity stage of skin issues, you can generally see notable results at different time intervals, thus making it more challenging to improve. For instance, there are four different degrees of acne severity based on the affected skin area and the nature of the present spots: we often refer to mild, moderate, severe, and very severe acne. The same applies to hyperpigmentation, where some brown spots are deeper (dermal) than others (epidermal).
Furthermore, certain skin issues require additional precautions, as some factors can exacerbate or cause them to reoccur. For instance, for individuals with hyperpigmented spots, it is crucial to protect the skin daily from the sun's UV rays (protective clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen, etc.) to prevent the return of spots that the topical treatment will have "erased" or diminished.
The consistency/regularity.
Some individuals apply products from their skincare routine regularly, while others use them more sporadically, only when they remember to do so. However, the frequency of use can certainly impact the speed at which results appear. A skincare routine should be performed daily, at least once a day, to achieve the best results and maintain them.
Of course, everything depends on the product applied: some should be used twice a day (cleanser, toner, serum, etc.), others once a day (makeup remover, sun protection, non-rinse exfoliating care, oily treatments, targeted treatments, etc.), and some products require use every two to three days or once to twice a week (retinoid treatments, facial masks, exfoliants/scrubs, etc.). It is also important touse skincare products in the correct order.

Similarly, switching skincare products every week because you see no improvement can be counterproductive. Indeed, this approach may irritate the skin and produce the opposite effect to the one desired. Instead, allow your skincare product time to work.

The formulation of skincare products.
Some skincare formulas rely on theuse of a combination of ingredients in order to optimise the benefits. The idea is that an active ingredient can enhance, balance or provide support to other ingredients in a cosmetic formulation, thus potentially creating a more effective product.
This concept of ingredient synergy could potentially yield visible results faster than anticipated and achieve an effect superior to that which could be obtained using a single ingredient.
Furthermore, the results obtained also depend on the chosen concentration of active ingredients : higher percentages of actives yield quicker results and more significant effects than lower percentages. However, the higher the concentration of an active ingredient, the more substantial the side effects can be.
Do not attempt to increase the number of applications because you do not see immediate results. You risk damaging the skin barrier.