Mixing up your workout routine has proven to take your physical goals to the next level, but does this same theory apply to skin and hair care? I’ve often heard people make the comment that their skin became immune to the products that they use on a daily basis, and that they had to find something else.
According to board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York Marina Peredo, M.D., “Our skin is as unique as our fingerprint, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all approach.” Most skin care routines call for a good cleanser, astringent, SPF, a daily toner and moisturizer. It is up to you to use products and then listen to your body and notice how it reacts to them. If you don’t like the results, change it up and try something else. If it works there is no reason to switch.
The founder of Refresh Dermatology in Houston, Suneel Chilukuri, M.D. says, “Unless you’re using a topical prescription, your skin does not build immunity to skin-care products over time.” This doesn’t mean you can’t consider a change in your routine every now and then.
Your skin does change based on a number of factors and may create a need for adjustment. As we age, the seasons change, the hormones in our body fluctuate, our diets change, or even allergies develop our skin may require different products and level of attention.
“For example, during the course of the month, you may have some days where your skin feels drier or oilier than others so you can adjust the type of moisturizer that you are using on those days,” says dermatologic surgeon and RealSelf.com contributor Sejal Shah, M.D. “
There are times when using a product too much can cause your skin to change as well. For instance, using harsh products that strip the skin of necessary oils can prompt the skin to product more sebum than is necessary. This often will cause a break out. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use the product; it just means you may need to adjust how you are using it, and how often.
So the bottom line here is to listen to your skin. There is no such thing as immunity from products, but there is such a thing as your skin's needs fluctuating. Keep an open mind to having to switch up your routine every now and then.
Beauty and hair maven Naomi Mackenzie is a freelance writer and business consultant. Her passion is to continuously keep up with the ever evolving techniques and topics as it relates to skin and hair, while helping others to embrace their own definition of beauty in a healthy way. Her blog, KissTheChaos (www.KissTheChaos.com) shares both an educated and personal perspective, sought to spark ongoing discussion. Follow her on Instagram at @oOolala_laa and on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/KissTheChaos/).
