Ever find yourself confused by the long list of ingredients on your favourite skincare products? Here’s how long you need to use these popular active ingredients to start seeing results. 

Rome wasn’t built in a day– and neither was perfect skin.

According to Isabella Loneragan, skin and dermal therapist and creator of Ragan Skin, and Ella James, skin therapist and co-founder at Fayshell, popular active ingredients found in your favourite products work on their own unique timeline. 

While many factors contribute to the way your skin responds to a product, such as specific formulations, the concentration of active ingredients used, your overall AM and PM routine, and your individual skin needs, there are a few universal truths worth noting when it comes to what you put on your face. 

Before discounting your new serums, creams and exfoliants for ‘not working’, take a closer look at how and when their hero ingredients are designed to change your skin. 

Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinoids)

Perfect for: Kicking ageing to the curb. 

Expected benefits: Reduced fine lines and wrinkles, improved skin texture, treatment and reduction of acne, evening skin tone, enhanced skin radiance, minimised pore size, and the prevention of premature ageing. 

Results timeframe: Retinoids are most commonly used in skincare products for their skin-renewing properties, but if you’re expecting overnight results, think again. Given the variation of Vitamin A products on the market, it can take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months to start noticing a change in your skin. “It's important to start with a lower concentration of vitamin A products and gradually increase the strength to avoid irritation or adverse reactions,” suggests Loneragan. “Patience is key.”

Vitamin B (Niacinimide)

Perfect for: Levelling up your skin tone and pores. 

Expected benefits: Reduced redness and inflammation, improved skin texture, minimised pores, brightened skin tone, fine lines and wrinkle reduction, protection against environmental damage, and oil control. 

Results timeframe: Niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) begins to start showing noticeable improvement within a few weeks, depending on the concentration of the product you are using. As Loneragan and James explain, consistent use over a few months will garner better results in the long term. 

Vitamin C 

Perfect for: “Saying 'adios' to dark spots and giving your collagen levels a boost,” James says.

Expected benefits: Brightening and evening skin tone, collagen synthesis, antioxidant protection, improved skin hydration, and reduced inflammation. 

Results timeframe: Unfortunately, like vitamins A and B, getting that vacay glow to grace your skin requires consistent use of vitamin C over several weeks to months. “It's recommended to apply vitamin C products regularly as part of a morning skincare routine,” Loneragan says. “Additionally, combining vitamin C with a broad-spectrum sunscreen can enhance its protective effects against UV-induced damage.”

Lactic acid (a common AHA) 

Perfect for: Smoothing things over. 

Expected benefits: Exfoliation, improved skin texture, hyperpigmentation reduction, hydration, and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. 

Results timeframe: If used correctly (i.e. consistently incorporating a lower dosage product into your routine and gradually building up) you’ll start to notice results fairly quickly. “Lactic acid is the skincare dance partner you need, exfoliating away the rough spots,” James says. “Feel the silkiness after a few tries, but the real show takes a few weeks.”

However, both Loneragan and James advise the use of sunscreen in conjunction with any products containing lactic acid, as the exfoliating properties of the ingredient can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. 

Hyaluronic acid

Perfect for: Increasing skin plumpness and dewiness

Expected benefits: Instant hydration, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, improved skin texture, enhanced skin elasticity, and an overall calming effect.

Results timeframe: Unlike other active ingredients, hyaluronic acid begins to work its magic right away. “The hydration effects of hyaluronic acid are typically immediate,” Loneragan says. “You should notice a difference in your skin's texture and appearance shortly after application.”

Luckily, Hyaluronic acid also happens to be one of the most versatile ingredients in modern skin care, making it easy to incorporate into your routine with serums, masks, and moisturizers galore.

BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids)

Perfect for: Unclogging pores, and waving bye-bye to acne.

Expected benefits: Exfoliation, acne treatment, reduced pore size, improved skin texture, hyperpigmentation reduction, and oil control. 

Results timeframe: On the acne front, BHAs work relatively fast, James says. Within a few weeks of regular use, you can expect to see a positive effect on the clarity of your skin’s texture. “It's important to note that BHAs, including salicylic acid, can cause some initial skin purging,” adds Loneragan. “This means that as the exfoliation process begins, you may temporarily experience an increase in breakouts before seeing improvement. This is typically a normal reaction, and the skin should adjust over time.”