5 Reasons Why Your Anti-Aging Routine Isn’t Working

Here’s how to guarantee better results from your regimen.

Sep 15, 2022

So you’ve meticulously created a skincare routine that makes use of the best anti-aging skincare products that money can buy, but the results you’re hoping for continue to elude you. What gives? Chances are you’re doing something wrong, or there are certain things you need to add or adjust when it comes to how you do your skincare. Here are five possible reasons why you have yet to achieve that youthful glow.

1. You’re skipping the sunscreen.

It’s the cardinal rule of skincare: If you want to achieve ageless skin, you need to protect it from sun damage. The simple solution? Make sure to include a broad-spectrum sunscreen in your daily skincare routine. Yes, it has to be applied daily. And yes, even if you’re not planning on going out!

Your skin needs protection not only from the UVA and UVB rays of the sun, but also from Infrared-A or IR-A Light (i.e. from lamps and ovens) as well as HEV or blue light (from your computer or phone screens). So even if you’re just staying in, it’s important to put on some sunscreen.

The good news: Heliocare’s 360 line, which includes the Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-free SPF 50 and Heliocare 360 Mineral SPF 50, offers protection for all of the above. The former absorbs 200% more blue light and not only prevents but also repairs, DNA damage. The latter has 100% physical filters, antioxidant properties, and boosts skin repair from sun exposure.

Heliocare 360 Mineral Tolerance Fluid, P1,750

Heliocare 360 Pigment Solution Fluid SPF 50+, P1,850

Heliocare 360 Mineral SPF 50, P1,650

2. You’re not double-cleansing.

Cleansing gets rid of dirt and impurities and preps the skin for all your anti-aging products. The cleaner the skin, the more it can easily absorb your essences, serums, and creams. So if you want to reap the full benefits of your favorite formulas, it would be best to add a double-cleansing step to your usual routine—particularly in the evening.

For the first cleanser, use a product that is designed to get rid of makeup, SPF, and excess sebum. You can try a micellar cleanser like the Mesoestetic Micellar Biphasic. Not only does it get rid of makeup gently, it also contains Urban D-tox, a biotechnological active ingredient that slows down skin aging by removing dirt and reducing oxidative stress.

The second cleanser is designed to get rid of impurities deep within the skin. Find a gentle cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural moisture and one that nourishes your skin and restores its balance. The Glowbiotics MD Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser is a revitalizing, anti-aging cleanser that adds radiance and vitality to dull, aging skin; and firms, brightens, and hydrates dry mature skin.

Heliocare 360 Mineral Tolerance Fluid, P1,750

Heliocare 360 Pigment Solution Fluid SPF 50+, P1,850

Heliocare 360 Mineral SPF 50, P1,650

Mesoestetic Micellar Biphasic, P2,800

Glowbiotics MD Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser. P2,150

3. You’re not consistent.

How many times have you given up on a skincare product or routine because you didn’t see overnight results? Here’s the thing: In skincare, patience is a virtue, too. Plenty of anti-aging ingredients, like AHAs, vitamin C, retinol, ceramides, and peptides, don’t yield instant results, so you have to give them time to work their magic. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “most products take at least six weeks to work. Sometimes it can take up to three months.”

Here are some products that can deliver amazing results as long as you use them with care and consistency:

ZO 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating fights aging-causing free radicals and helps with discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Neostrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream (Ultra Smoothing Cream) is an anti-aging exfoliant that contains 10% AHA. It rejuvenates the skin, smoothing fine lines and keeping it plump.

ZO Radical Night Repair 1% Retinol contains 1% retinol and is designed to brighten the complexion, reduce pigmentation, and minimize fine lines and wrinkles.

Mesoestetic Collagen 360 Essence is a firming solution that is formulated with enriched marine collagen and chronosmart peptide. It’s a cellular serum that lifts the skin and restores its elasticity and vitality.

4. You’re not using the products as directed.

Another way you can maximize the results of your anti-aging products, according to the American Academy of Dermatology is to follow directions: “Some products contain active ingredients that can cause problems if you apply more than directed. You could end up with clogged pores, blotchy skin, or excessively dry skin.”

Read the instructions on the label and/or follow your dermatologist’s instructions on how to use your skincare products. More doesn’t always mean better and it won’t make the products work faster either.

5. Your lifestyle is getting in the way.

Let’s be honest. There’s only so much your skincare products and routine can do if you don’t help it along by living a healthier lifestyle. Proper nutrition and diet is important in having a healthy skin and body, says Dr. Maximin Navarro, resident dermatologist at Bella Pelle Skin Solutions. “The importance of having a healthy gut is integral to having healthy skin,” he says. “When the integrity of the gut and balance of bacteria gets disturbed, it can have a huge impact on your skin. This can cause aging not only of our skin but of our entire body.” (Read: How A Healthy Gut Affects Your Overall Health)

His advice: “Start with restoring your gut’s microbiome [balance] and identifying the food in your diet that is causing the inflammation in your gut.” Food Sensitivity Testing (FST), may be done to identify the food items you are intolerant to and causing the inflammation in your body. (You may get your FST at Bella Pelle Skin Solutions.)

Aside from minding your diet, it’s also helpful to take antioxidant supplements to mitigate free radical formation in our body, which can cause intrinsic aging, says Dr. Navarro. “By taking antioxidant supplements such as those with N-Acetylcysteine, Vitamin C, E, Quercetin, and ECGC, [you can] promote antioxidant processes in the body by preventing and repairing damages caused by oxidative stress.” (Shop safe, derma-approved supplements here.)

Metagenics UltraFlora Spectrum

Metagenics UltraFlora Balance

Metagenics PhytoMulti

Moreover, make sure you get plenty of sleep and exercise, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, and find ways to manage your stress. If you want to prevent premature aging, it’s important to get serious about practicing healthy habits day in and day out.

For customized skin care recommendations, you can book a virtual or face-to-face dermatological consultation with Dr. Maximin Navarro, our resident dermatologist, and a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow, here. You can also inquire at the Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Center via (+63) 999-887-1944. View our full treatment menu here.