• Food
  • Family
  • Beauty & Health
  • Style
  • Great Women
  • Events/Win
  • Best Beauty Buys 2023
  • Food
    • Eating Out
    • Cooking Tips
    • Festive Food
    • Asian Recipes
    • Food
    • Celebrity Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Western Recipes
  • Family
    • Family
    • Save Money
    • Parenting
    • Sex & Marriage
    • Travel
  • Beauty & Health
    • Beauty & Health
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Awards
    • Diet & Nutrition
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
  • Style
  • Great Women
    • Career
    • Great Women of Our Time
    • Real Life
  • Entertainment
  • EVENTS/WIN
  • Subscribe
Privacy Menu
SPH Media

Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. All rights reserved.

  • Food
  • Family
  • Beauty & Health
  • Style
  • Great Women
  • Events/Win

Beauty & Health

What Is “Instant” Skincare And Does It Work?

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Skincare

What Is “Instant” Skincare And Does It Work?

Science and technology may have improved beauty formulas, but skin takes time to reap the benefits. Just how long? We break it down for you.

January 7, 2022

In today’s #insta world, we expect things to happen fast. Research and development (R&D), active ingredients and skincare formulations have improved so much, with some even promising instant results. However, there are also products whose effectiveness depend on the skin’s renewal cycle of 28 days.

So just how long does it take for skincare to work? We speak to two dermatologists, Dr KS Lim, consultant dermatologist and medical director at The Dermatology Practice, and Dr Teo Wan Lin, dermatologist at TWL Specialist Skin & Laser Centre, to find out.

Understanding instant results 

Understanding your skin and how it responds to various products and ingredients is important. Dr Lim believes that some of the “instant” claims are just hype: “Some of these products use subjective measures where results are based on how you feel versus what’s been scientifically measured.”

Dr Lim also says it takes three to six months on average to see real progress. He adds: “Ultimately, it depends on the product. Some prescriptive items may take a few days. For cosmeceutical ones, it usually takes between six to 12 weeks.” Even with R&D advancements, take these “instant” claims with a pinch of salt.

READ NEXT

7 Skincare Christmas Gift Sets For That Skincare-Obsessed Friend

Growing Up With Eczema Inspired This Singaporean To Start Her Own Vegan Skincare Brand

These Intensive Skin Treatment Ampoules Are Skincare Game-Changers

Dr Teo states: “Cosmetic claims are not regulated by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is no one global regulation to ensure that all cosmetic claims are scientifically backed.” So just how long does skincare take to work? Here’s our Instant Results Cheat Sheet.

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/skincare/what-is-instant-skincare-does-it-work/
What Is “Instant” Skincare And Does It Work?
Cleansers
image

Anywhere from immediately to four weeks

Cleansers have a primary function of cleansing your skin, so they should do that fairly quickly. If it includes a secondary function, like brightening dull skin, it can take up to four weeks to show results.

123rf
Serums
image

From six to eight weeks, depending on the actives used

Antioxidant serums may show quicker and more obvious results as they neutralise free radical damage on skin. This can be seen after a week, and most visibly after one month.

Others, like those that lighten pigmentation, will require more time. We recommend applying your serum regularly for six to eight weeks. Any benefit you see earlier on your skin is a plus.

123rf
Moisturisers
image

As moisturisers function to hydrate skin, they will show results fairly quickly

Dr Teo Wan Lin says: “Moisturisers are the closest to an ‘instant’ product – especially if you have dry skin. You’ll see an improvement in your skin texture and symptoms.”

If your moisturiser promises functions like lifting and reducing lines, it will require more time to work.

123rf
Eye Cream
image

From six to eight weeks

The concentration of ingredients in eye products are at different levels compared to that of serums and moisturisers, considering how delicate the area is. Often, to see real change, it will take slightly over a month.

Dr Teo warns that the “instant results” are sometimes caused by cosmetic pigments such as micas, a lightreflecting mineral, and orange pigments that counteract dark circles. Both doctors agreed that beyond instant results, it’s more important to look at the function of the skincare.

A bit of research goes a long way too: Start with knowing what ingredient does what and then, take note of how your skin responds. If nothing happens after three months or so, try something new.

This story was first published in the December 2021 issue of Her World.

Text: Ruth Chew/HerWorld

Read Next

14 Best Anti-Ageing Eye Creams To Prevent Fine Lines and Wrinkles

'The Voice' Judge, Jessica Mauboy, Spills Her Skincare & Makeup Secrets

Korean Skincare Tips For Oily Skin

123rf
  • TAGS:
  • Beauty
  • beauty advice
  • skincare
  • skincare advice
  • skincare routine
  • skincare tips
SHARE THIS ON

What’s Hot

Skincare

20 Hydrating Sleeping Masks That Will He...

Skincare

These 12 Lightweight Spray-On Sunscreens...

Skincare

The Best 14 Lightweight Japanese And Kor...

Skincare

9 Pregnancy-Friendly Skincare Products T...

Skincare

The Power of Probiotics: Why Netizens Ca...

Skincare

8 Products That Will Keep Your Skin Bala...

Skincare

Why You Need A Cleansing Oil In Your Ski...

Skincare

Is Air Conditioning Drying Out Your Skin...

Skincare

Pack These Travel-Friendly Skincare Prod...

Skincare

8 Powder Sunscreens To Touch Up Your Sun...

Skincare

Retinol's Popular For Its Anti-Ageing Be...

Skincare

Big Night Out? Beauty Experts Share Thei...

Don’t Miss These
  • Food Skip Food Planning And Cooking: Get Tasty, Healthy Dishes...
  • Wellness Burning Sensation, Cloudy Urine: Why Your UTI Keeps Recur...
Editor’s Picks
  • Skincare 20 Hydrating Sleeping Masks That Will Help You Wake Up To Glowing Skin
  • Skincare These 12 Lightweight Spray-On Sunscreens Make Reapplication A Breeze
  • Beauty & Health SQ Girls Swear By These K-Beauty Products (And You’ll Probably Love Them Too)
  • Skincare The Best 14 Lightweight Japanese And Korean Sunscreens We Are Loving Right No...
  • Awards Great For Outdoor Play: Protect Your Little Ones’ Skin With This Chemical-Fre...
  • Skincare 9 Pregnancy-Friendly Skincare Products To Add To Your Routine Now That You're...
Don't Miss Out Ever Again!
Tips & tricks to stay sane + win invites to our events!

By signing up, you indicate that you have read and agreed with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
?>">
SPH Magazine

Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. All rights reserved.