New Year, New Skincare? Is Your Skin Getting ‘Bored’ Of Your Routine?

Can your skin get ‘bored’ of your skincare, leading to reduced results? How often should you really change your skincare routine? It’s a question that’s especially discussion-worthy at this time of year, when ‘New Year, New Me’ can often have us considering whether to reassess our skincare regimes.

But before you take the leap and overhaul your skincare cabinet, we spoke to leading dermatologist Dr Ariel Haus and our very own skincare specialist Shenaz to find out the expert opinion on when to shake thing up. Plus, we share some top tips for making sure you always get the most out of your skincare favourites.

Can your skin get ‘bored’ of your routine? Why might it seem like that?

While your skin doesn’t literally get “bored” – because it doesn’t have feelings! –  there are several reasons why it might seem to start responding less well to the products you are using.

Your skin needs have changed

One of the most likely causes is that your skin needs have changed. “Our skin is the largest organ in the body and it is very dynamic – it responds to whatever is going on intrinsically and extrinsically,” says TTG’s skincare specialist Shenez. “By extrinsic, we mean external factors – the sun, pollution, air conditioning, and cold weather. Intrinsic (or internal factors) include the association between gut problems and skin disorders such as acne, eczema and psoriasis, or how stress for prolonged periods can cause inflammation in the body. Our hormones also greatly influence our skin through puberty, pregnancy, menopause and beyond.”

That means that seasonal changes, such as windy, wintry conditions or moving from the countryside to the city, are particularly common ways for your complexion needs to shift. Your lifestyle can play a large role, too, with poor sleep, changes to your diet, or heightened stress potentially decreasing your overall skin quality. This can make it seem like your routine is less effective.

Your skin goals have changed

After using your skincare routine for a while, your skin goals can also shift, meaning the products you are using aren’t quite the right fit anymore. For example, you could have had a great glow-boosting result initially from your favourite brightening serum, but after a while you might experience a ‘plateau effect’. This is where the product is still working, but you don’t see such dramatic changes (or start fixating on another concern), so you might consider a new product to supercharge your results. This can be particularly helpful with active ingredients, such as retinoids, or exfoliating acids, where stepping up a ‘strength ladder’ (as with the brilliant Medik8 range) can help you slowly but surely achieve consistent benefits.

You’ve used a product incorrectly

Just be wary though – sometimes it isn’t just in your head. Occasionally your products can ‘stop working’, by which we mean they have lost potency. This is especially common if reactive ingredients, such as vitamin C, aren’t stored properly (in an airtight, darkly tinted bottle), or if you are trying to use products beyond their expiry date. That’s why it is important always to use (and store) your products as recommended in their instructions to make sure you can actually enjoy their benefits throughout using them.

How often should you change up your skincare routine?

You don’t need to overhaul your routine constantly, say the experts – especially as you want to give your products enough time to work. But, “you should probably consider changing your skincare every three to four months, like the seasons,” suggests Dr Ariel, especially if you have started to notice some stubborn concerns – aka increased dryness or more intense fine lines. Just make sure to then stick to your new routine for at least a month as consistency is really important for ensuring the best results.

“Another time when you might want to change your skincare routine is if you are preparing for a special occasion such as a wedding,” continues Shenez.  “Planning in advance and ensuring your skin is in optimal condition will help you feel confident and photo-ready. In particular, you should make a skincare plan [which TTG consultations can help with], so that you can consider the specific concerns you have, and any changes or additions you may want to make.”

The skincare changes to make right now

If you’re considering changing your routine at the moment, here are some top tips from the experts to get the most out of the products you use right now.

Protect against winter-worn skin

“In the winter you will need something more heavy, to protect the skin against the cold and the wind,” says Dr Ariel. “For a moisturiser, I suggest products containing ceramides to protect the skin barrier, and for cleansers I advise patients to use one with active ingredients such as alfa bisabolol, which is a natural inflammatory. That’s because the skin becomes more sensitive during the cold weather.”

Top recommendations from the TTG team include Epionce’s sensitive skin-safe Milky Lotion Cleanser and Alastin Restorative Skin Complex.

Focus on your key concerns

Don’t get distracted by the latest product launches (or what works for your friends), unless it’s actually designed to help your specific skin goals – which you can evaluate each season. Instead focus on one skin concern at a time and find targeted solutions.

To counteract dullness, for example, Shenez suggests using an antioxidant serum daily to fight free radical damage (and to give your skin a healthy-looking radiance). NeoStrata’s Skin Active Antioxidant Defence Serum is a great example. If signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, are a main skin concern, retinoids can really help too, says Shenez. For first-timers, Alpha Ret Overnight Cream by Skinbetter Science is tolerated very well by the skin.

Always use SPF

Yes, we say it a lot but we will say it again – SPF really is a core component of any successful skincare routine. Need a reminder why – click here to where Alice explains all. As for a sunscreen recommendation, Synergy 6 by Intradermology comes highly expert-approved.

Think beyond skincare 

Alongside a tailored and consistent skincare routine, don’t forget — there are a other ways to supercharge your complexion. Shenez suggests taking a supplement like Totally Derma to support the production of collagen type 1 (which can also help with a host of menopausal symptoms) and treatments such as regular facials and collagen-boosting tweaks, including microneedling, will keep your skin in the best possible condition too.