This Is How Long You Should Use a New Skin Care Product to See Results, According to Derms

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Products make big claims when it comes to results and the speed at which those results occur. Think “botox in a bottle” allegations and preposterous promises like overnight wrinkle reduction. And while some can offer immediate results, not all products—or all ingredients, for that matter—work at the same pace. So how long does it really take to see results from a new skin care product? We went straight to the experts to get to the bottom of it.

Boston-based dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, says she generally tells patients to expect results after a minimum of six to eight weeks, though more likely after eight to 12 weeks. “As a simple rule of thumb, I encourage folks to give something a try for the full length of the product’s bottle,” she explains. “If there’s no difference by then, it’s probably safe to move on.”

Meanwhile, according to Rebecca Marcus, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MD, the time needed to see a product’s effect on the skin varies greatly depending on its ingredients and the type of ingredients used.

Before we delve into the different types of ingredients and associated result times, it’s important to remember that a simple glance in the mirror isn’t necessarily enough to tell whether a product is working or not. Sure, if you’re continually breaking out, it’s safe to say that new product isn’t a match, but in general, skin care is all about slow, compounded progress. 

“It’s near impossible to see that sort of slow gradual change just looking,” Hirsch says. “This is why it’s really helpful to have some baseline measures or a photo to compare, so that you’re not relying on subjective interpretation, but rather some sort of actual data.”

With that in mind, there are a few generalizations you can make about how long you should use a new skin care product before expecting results depending on the type of ingredients in it.

Hydrators
For products featuring hydrating and plumping ingredients, results may appear within the few days of use. For example, multimolecular weight hyaluronic acid immediately draws moisture to the skin, while clinical research suggests that ceramides can effectively smooth, soften, and hydrate the skin in just three days. That’s why moisturizers—often packed with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other similar ingredients—tend to provide immediate relief, explains Dr. Hirsch.

Antioxidants
Antioxidants, which help protect the skin’s surface for oxidative damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors, tend to take longer to show efficacy—though exact timing does differ depending on which benefit you look at. It also depends on the particular ingredient, as antioxidants include a slew of skin care superstars like vitamin C, green tea, resveratrol, niacinamide, and bakuchiol.

All antioxidants neutralize free radicals to protect skin from damage and promote collagen production, both of which help address signs of aging and improve texture and tone. Some also brighten the skin (like vitamin C and niacinamide), calm irritation (green tea and resveratrol), and smooth fine lines (bakuchiol).

As for the primary benefits, Dr. Marcus says it takes approximately three months to show the effects of collagen stimulation. Antioxidants provide immediate protection against free radicals and associated damage, but since these efforts are mainly protective and preventative, it takes a while to actually see improvements—think months to years.

Meanwhile, brightening effects are somewhat quicker, with results occurring within around two to four weeks, though significant results generally take two to three months, per Dr. Marcus. Wrinkle and fine line reduction take a bit longer, around three to four months, to really show. In contrast, calming effects are more immediate—think days or weeks.

Acids and Chemical Exfoliants
While acids—which include alpha hydroxy acids (like lactic acid, mandelic acid, and glycolic acid) and beta hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid)—work immediately to chemically exfoliate the skin and slough off dead skin cells, results are a bit more nuanced. You’ll likely notice a more radiant complexion within hours, but significant skin-clearing and decongesting results take about a month to kick in, while anti-aging benefits require around four to six months of consistent use.

Retinoids
Retinoids like retinol and retinal are often considered the gold standard of skin care ingredients—they boost cell turnover, improve skin texture and tone, stimulate collagen production, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, treat acne, and minimize the look of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Unfortunately, those effects take a while to kick in and come with some pretty significant risks, including irritation, dryness, and even peeling. 

While it takes the skin around a month to adapt to consistent use, Dr. Hirsh says it takes anywhere from two to six months to see most benefits. This is because retinoids rely on cell turnover, which takes around 24 to 30 days in your 20s, 45 to 60 days in your 40s, and extends to every 60 to 90 days as you continue to age.

That’s not to say you won’t see any benefits for months. Retinoids tend to work a bit quicker to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores, but expect a serious waiting period before any meaningful results.