Great Expectations: What to Expect When Starting a New Skincare Regimen

Starting a new skincare routine can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming, depending on your expectations. The skin is a complex system, and nearly everyone has experienced symptoms, from breakouts to rashes to dryness. We turn to products in hopes of soothing, healing, or changing our appearance. However, the path to achieving these results—no matter how challenging it may be—is ultimately unknown. We’ve been in this industry for over 20 years now, tracking results with clients and customers, and here are our guidelines to help you through moments of doubt or insecurity so that you can give your skin the support it needs to be its healthiest. 

Based on distinct patterns we’ve witnessed over the years, we like to break this journey down into what occurs during the first few days, months 1-3, and beyond. Here is what you can confidently expect in each stage.

1. Starting Out (The First Few Days)

This initial phase is often marked by the skin’s reaction to new products, which can include new sensations like tingling, mild redness, or flaking. This phase might also involve purging—a temporary flare-up of breakouts as your skin adjusts to active ingredients. You may also start noticing some early signs of improvement, such as:

• Increased hydration or moisture levels, giving your skin a more supple feel.

• A slight boost in skin comfort and luminosity, with a noticeable glow or healthier appearance.

• A smoother texture as the skin begins to respond to exfoliating or nourishing ingredients.

Immediate Reactions

Our rule of thumb: Level of sensation is typically proportional to level of dysfunction. If your skin is dehydrated, dry, or compromised, the likelihood of experiencing some kind of reaction to a new regimen is higher. 

When introducing new products, your skin may respond in one of the following ways:

• Skin sensation (healthy): Redness, tingling, or tightening are common sensations. Many people misinterpret these as negative reactions, but they’re usually a sign of increased blood flow or a response to lower pH. Think of it like the feeling you get after a run—your skin is being stimulated, and the result is a surge of sensation. Over time, as your skin becomes healthier and more balanced, these sensations will decrease.

• Adverse reactions (unhealthy): Stinging, burning, or itching may indicate an adverse reaction, often triggered by repeated exposure to an allergenic ingredient or the use of an improperly formulated active ingredient (like ascorbic acid) on compromised skin. If you experience these reactions, stop using the product immediately and wait three days to see if the response subsides. If it doesn’t, it’s best to discontinue the product altogether.
  

• Increased comfort: Calm, soothed, and comfortable skin is a positive response, especially if your skin is relatively healthy. Even when using stimulating or active products, feeling comfortable means your skin can tolerate the ingredients. This doesn’t necessarily indicate the product isn’t working; rather, it shows that your skin is adjusting well.

Potential Side Effects Associated with Adjusting to Actives

When transitioning from a state of depletion to one of nourishment, it’s common to experience some temporary side effects. These are generally healthy and normal responses to using active ingredients. If you're new to these ingredients and notice any of the following reactions, there's no need for concern—they’re just part of the adjustment process.

• Acidic ingredients (e.g., AHAs, BHAs, ACV): Tingling, flushing, dryness, peeling, or flaking. Acidic ingredients work by exfoliating the skin. This results in increased cell turnover, often leading to some dryness and visible peeling as the skin adjusts.

• Retinol: Dryness, redness, and flaking. Retinol accelerates many different processes such as increasing cell turnover, signaling the skin to shed its outermost layers more quickly. As the skin adapts to this faster regeneration process, it may become temporarily dry, red, or flaky.

• Niacinamide: Flushing, redness. Niacinamide can increase blood circulation to the skin's surface, causing temporary redness or a warm feeling. This is typically a good reaction, as we know it's working! 

• Poor penetrability: Pilling, flaking, greasy texture. If your skin is inflamed or dehydrated, some products—particularly oils or serums—may sit on the skin’s surface without fully absorbing, resulting in pilling or a greasy texture. This should resolve once hydration and barrier function improve.

• Breaking out/purging: Can range from small pustules to larger, deeper pimples, which may appear in concentrated areas or spread across a broader region (e.g., the forehead). Active ingredients accelerate skin cell turnover, pushing stagnant cells and impurities to the surface, which can temporarily lead to breakouts. Additionally, some actives target specific bacteria or fungi, and this can cause an initial flare-up before the skin clears.

• • Duration of purging: Purging typically lasts 2-4 weeks, though the exact length depends on factors like your skin’s history, barrier health, microbiome, immune function, and inflammation levels.

• Patch testing: If you have a history of sensitivity or reactivity, or are currently experiencing symptoms, it’s a good idea to patch test new products on your inner arm before applying them to your face. After 24 hours, if there’s no swelling or significant redness, it’s safe to assume you’re not allergic and can proceed with facial application.

• Gradual introduction of actives & weaning off prescription products: When transitioning from prescription topicals such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, it’s crucial to introduce new actives like AHAs, BHAs, or niacinamide gradually. Similarly, slowly reduce (never quit cold turkey!) your use of prescription treatments (e.g., antibiotics or treatment-based cleansers) to avoid overwhelming your skin. A temporary surge in symptoms is common during this phase, but it’s usually short-lived. By transitioning slowly and introducing targeted topicals, you’ll set yourself up for the best results.

2. The Path Forward (Months 1-3)

4-8 Weeks

At this stage, the visible improvements become more pronounced, especially if you're using actives like retinoids, vitamin C, or exfoliating acids. You may notice:

• Improved skin texture: Skin may feel smoother, with fewer dry patches or rough spots. If you're using actives, the skin should feel more even throughout.

• Reduction in inflammation and breakouts: For acne-prone skin, inflammation should begin to subside, and breakouts will occur less frequently or resolve faster.

• Faster skin healing: If you experience a breakout or irritation you may notice now your skin heals very quickly.
  

8-12 Weeks +

By this point, your skin is becoming more balanced, and the cumulative effects of your new routine are starting to become apparent.

• Consistent improvements in skin conditions: Dryness, hyperpigmentation, or breakouts should show a noticeable reduction.

• Increased resilience: Your skin may no longer feel vulnerable to occasional flare-ups such as breakouts, rashes, or redness. Overall skin tone should look more even.

• Balanced, healthy skin: The benefits of consistent care are becoming obvious, and your skin’s barrier is stronger and more resilient.

12 Weeks +

This is typically the point where you’ll see the most significant, lasting improvements, especially if you’re addressing concerns like aging or chronic skin conditions.

• Reduction in fine lines: Fine lines may appear softer or less noticeable, and the skin may be more plumped and firm.

• Increased brightness and luminosity: Your skin should look more radiant and glowing, with a healthy, vibrant tone.

• Overall healthy appearance: Your skin will likely feel more resilient, balanced, and able to withstand environmental stressors or minor irritations.

3. Understanding Your Unique Experience 

The way your skin responds to products and the results you achieve are influenced by many factors beyond just the products themselves. Your skin's history, the environment around you, your product usage, and your overall health play a role in shaping your experience and the timeline for reaching your skincare goals. Below, we've outlined each of these key factors.

Skin history:

• History of product usage: type of preservatives, actives, treatments, and procedures. Did you use topical antibiotics when you had acne as a teenager? What about steroids for childhood eczema? What about exfoliants, peels, and lasers? All of these details will influence the current state of your microbiome, immune system, and barrier health. 

• History of skin conditions: What was your skin like in infancy, adolescence, and adulthood? Have you ever had eczema, psoriasis, breakouts, rosacea, or dermatitis? These are signs of barrier dysfunction, microbial imbalance, inflammation, and over-active immune response. 

• History of sun exposure: Did you grow up somewhere where you got repeated exposure to sun? Do you have a history of sunburns? Did you wear sunscreen? UV exposure damages our skin cells and increases our likelihood of hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.

Consistency:

• Following the regimen fully versus dabbling in the routine makes a significant difference in results. This includes using products daily or working up to daily use as recommended.

Environmental factors:

• Temperature + humidity, elevation, and pollution can all negatively influence the skin, ultimately leading to cellular damage and inflammation. 
  

Lifestyle factors (diet, sleep, stress, immune function):

• Most of us know our skin reflects largely the state of our internal body. Things like stress, unbalanced blood sugar, and dehydration can all lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin and ultimately an increase of fine lines and wrinkles. Our immune system is one factor in the presence of inflammation.

Psychological Impact of Trying New Products

There is often a certain level of fear involved when trying new products. Here are a few of the most common “traps” we see clients and customers fall into:

• Expectation vs. Reality: Many people expect immediate results, especially when they are symptomatic (e.g., clients with acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines). It is helpful to ask yourself if your expectations are in line with your history, lifestyle, and honest potential. For example, if you have had acne for 10 years and you  have not changed any other aspects of your life, are you expecting that new products will resolve it immediately? Are you experiencing many fine lines and wrinkles and expecting to have none after just one month? Being realistic will help you stay on course.
  

• Frustration + Insecurity: Sometimes if you don't achieve immediate results or symptoms, or they worsen in the short term, it is easy to start to doubt you ever will. This leads to wanting to change products quickly, thinking you might find a better solution.
  

• Fear: The most common fear we hear repeatedly is, “Will my skin ever heal? Will it ever be ‘normal’”? When you’ve experienced an unwanted symptom for a prolonged period of time, or a very severe symptom, it is easy to question if it will get better.
  

• Consistency: The skin’s natural healing process takes time, especially if you’re addressing chronic conditions or signs of aging. Stick to your regimen for at least three months (about three full skin turnover cycles) to start seeing visible changes. If you’re not seeing any improvement by then, it may be time to reevaluate your routine. However, if your skin feels healthy and the only concerns are signs of aging or pigmentation, continue with the same routine.
  

• Intuition: Remember that the skin wants to heal! Trust yourself and your body. By using high-quality, strategic products, you’ll help your skin reach a healthy, balanced state. Some sensations are a normal part of the healing process, so trust that any reactions to new products are simply your skin’s natural adjustment.

• Comparison: In today’s world of social media and constant exposure to others’ skincare journeys, it’s important to remember that your experience is unique. Your skin’s response won’t look like anyone else’s, and striving to match another person’s results can set unrealistic expectations. Focus on—and enjoy—your individual progress!

Summing Up

Like any meaningful transformation, your skin's path to health unfolds gradually. The good news is that we have been formulating products for over 20 years and have confidence in what is efficacious, while ensuring integrity. Starting a new skincare regimen can require patience, consistency, and self-compassion. Remember that your skin is uniquely yours, with its own history, needs, and timeline. By approaching this effort with realistic expectations, trusting the process, and the products, you're setting yourself up for long-term success. The key is to listen to your skin, stay consistent with your regimen, and appreciate the small improvements along the way. 

We have a team of estheticians as part of our customer service team who are here to support you in assembling the right routine for your individual skin needs — and it’s free. For more information click here, or reach out to us at info@MarieVeronique.com. We’ve found again and again that the customers who find the most success with their skin health and our products work with us directly.

Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.