How Long Does It Take for a Skincare Routine to Work?

TL;DR — It usually takes about 4-6 weeks to see results from your skincare routine, assuming you follow it consistently and use high-quality products.

You finally stopped nuking your face with 3-in-1 and started a legit skincare routine. We’re talking cleanser, moisturizer, exfoliation—the whole nine yards. Now you’re checking yourself out in the mirror every morning, wondering how long you have to wait to get Patrick Bateman-level skin.

Unlike DoorDash or a DM from your crush, skincare isn’t about instant gratification. Sure, your face will feel better in a matter of minutes after moisturizing. But in terms of getting rid of wrinkles and eye bags, you’re gonna have to put in at least a few months of work. We didn’t make the rules, fellas.

We get a lot of questions from dudes wondering when to expect results from their skincare routine. So we created this no-BS guide to setting your expectations—and how to know if your routine is getting the job done.

How Long Does It Take for Skincare To Work?

After starting a skincare routine, it typically takes 4-6 weeks of consistent use to see noticeable improvements in your skin's appearance and texture. Some products can improve your complexion overnight, but you need at least a month to shed dead skin cells and replace them with new, healthier cells.

Keep in mind that factors like your skin type, the quality of products you use, and specific concerns like rosacea or eczema can all impact how quickly (or slowly) you see results.

A skincare routine is a lot like a gym routine. Just like you don’t get a six-pack after one workout, you don’t get perfect skin after one day of washing and moisturizing. But if you stick to the plan and trust the process, you’ll look back in a few months and be glad you didn’t quit.

Here are some of the most common skin conditions guys deal with, and how long they (usually) take to improve with a skincare routine:

• Chronically dry skin: 1-2 weeks
• Fine lines and wrinkles: 4-6 weeks
• Razor burn: 1 day
• Beard itch: 1-2 weeks
• Dark circles: 4-6 weeks
• Acne: 4-8 weeks

Now that you’ve got a ballpark estimate of when to expect results from your skincare regimen, let’s take a closer look at individual products and techniques.

Moisturizer

You might notice your face feeling more supple and hydrated instantly after applying moisturizer. That’s because you’re replenishing water from the inside out. However, it can take up to six weeks to minimize fine lines, shrink your pores, and unlock a more youthful appearance.

It’s kind of like getting a pump in the gym—the short-term gains are awesome, but you gotta stick to the game plan to see long-term results.

Of course, you need the best moisturizer if you want the best (and fastest) results. That’s where Revival comes in. Our formula has a custom, dermatologist-approved blend of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to help you reap short-term and long-term benefits.

Here’s what you can expect in terms of a timeline, based on past results from Revival:

• Shave irritation: 1 hour
• Eczema: 10 hours
• Wrinkles and fine lines: 30 days
• Dark circles: 30 days

Cleansers

When it comes to face cleansers, each wash is a step towards cleaner, fresher skin—as long as you choose the right kind.

If your skin leans towards the dry and sensitive side, go for a gentle cleanser packed with ceramides to build up your skin barrier and prep it for other products you'll be using. If you’ve got oily or acne-prone skin, reach for a glycolic acid or salicylic acid cleanser instead.

The right face wash sets the stage for your whole skincare game, so choose wisely.

Topical Acne Treatments

It generally takes 4-8 weeks of consistent use to clear up your skin with topical acne treatments. This means applying your treatment daily, as directed. Stick with it and you'll make pimples a thing of the past.

Retinols & Retinoids

It takes a good few weeks, maybe even months, to start seeing benefits from retinols and retinoids. Now here's the kicker: during those initial weeks, you might notice irritation and peeling, so hold off on slathering it on before date night or your buddy’s wedding.

Exfoliation

Some people notice an improvement in their skin's texture and appearance within a few days of exfoliating. But if you have acne or other skin conditions, it may take 1-2 months of consistent exfoliation to get a more even complexion.

How to Know If Your Skincare Routine Is Working

Here are three tell-tale signs that you’re making progress with your skincare routine. Pro tip: Take a pic of your face before starting your skincare routine so you have a reference point.

1. Your Moisture Levels are Balanced

Your skin shouldn’t be dry or flaky—but it also shouldn’t be drenched with oil either. If your moisture levels are balanced 24/7, you know you’re on the right track.

2. Your Complexion Is Even

A major sign that your skincare routine is working is a uniform skin tone. A face that’s free from dark circles, red splotches, and zits is a clear sign you’re doing something right.

3. Your Face Feels Smooth to the Touch

Unhealthy skin often feels dry, bumpy, and greasy. However, when you get your skincare routine on point, your face should feel smooth and velvety to the touch.

How to Make Your Skincare Routine Work Faster

If there was a hack to transform your skin overnight, we definitely wouldn’t be publishing it on the internet for free. But we can offer a few tips to get the fastest possible results from your skincare routine.

1. Get Your Diet In Check

The world’s best skincare routine can’t compensate for a diet of pizza, beer, and donuts. Take care of your skin from the inside out by loading up on fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, and seeds. Also, make sure you’re staying hydrated with plenty of water and electrolytes.

2. Stay Consistent

You won’t get results in the gym by going once a week, and you won’t get results from your skincare routine by doing it on random days. Skincare only works when you do, so set a reminder on your phone or put a note on your bathroom mirror—whatever it takes to stick to your plan.

3. Don’t Cheap Out On Your Products

You could get your skincare products from the bottom shelf at Walmart, but just remember, you get what you pay for. Don’t expect a $5 face cream to fix your face overnight (or ever). Think of your cleanser and moisturizer as investments in your future face—not costs. You’ll be glad when you don’t look leathery in your 50s.

A lot of brands dupe guys into buying a whole cabinet full of products. But Revival consolidates the key ingredients in moisturizer, wrinkle cream, eye cream, and aftershave into one simple formula to save you a ton of time—and cash.

Grab a bottle and see why 100% of guys feel more confident in their appearance after using Revival.