Last Updated on May 23, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

how often to change skincare products

How often should you change your skincare routine? Does your skin really adapt to the products you’re using, if you use the same routine for too long? I had never wondered about this, until my skin forced me to. Here’s what happened…

It was going too well. After years of experimenting with new skincare products, lots of trial and errors, and hundreds of pounds literally thrown down the drain, I had finally managed to put together a skincare routine my skin loved.

My skin had never looked so clear or been so soft. And that glow! You know when your skin looks so good, you skip foundation without even thinking about it? That was me. I was smug. Smug and glowing.

Then, one day, something went wrong. My skin started losing its radiance. It wasn’t as soft anymore. The changes were subtle at first, but as time went on, it was clear my skincare routine wasn’t working anymore. What the heck went wrong?

I hadn’t changed anything. Same cleanser. Same serum. Same moisturizer. If anything, I was being extra consistent. So why the sudden dullness?

Does Skin Adapt To Skincare Products?

My friends said that was normal. That your skin gets used to skincare products after a while. That’s why you have to keep changing them. But I never believed that. I’m a science girl and there’s not a shred of evidence in all the scientific literature that this is the case. If a skincare product/ingredient is good for your skin now, it’ll always be good for your skin, no matter how long you use it. Unless this happens (yes, there are always exceptions…)

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When Is It Time To Change Your Skincare Routine?

Your skincare products don’t just stop working. And skincare ingredients don’t stop being effective over time. Retinol is still retinol. Niacinamide still brightens. If they don’t give you the same results they used to, it’s because YOUR skin has changed.

Skin is a living organ and living things change and evolve all the time. It’s the nature of things. As dermatologist Shawana Vali explains: “When we say our skincare has ‘stopped working’, this indicates that there are deeper conditions that need to be addressed.” And no, there’s not all serious. And yes, you want to know what they are, so you can be prepared. Here’s how to know when it’s time to change your skincare routine:

1. Climate Change

Let’s say that you’ve always had oily skin. Your skin can’t tolerate rich moisturizers, so you opt for a lightweight formula that’s oil-free. And you do clay masks regularly to absorb all that excess oil. But then, one day you move to Norway. The weather there is much colder and harsher than you were used to. Your skin starts to dry out. Flake even. (This happened to me when I moved to London. My skin went from normal to dry almost overnight…)

If you keep using the same products you were using before, is it any wonder your skin will only get worse? A lightweight moisturizer ain’t enough for that climate. Clay masks just dry out your skin even more. You need to switch up your skincare routine, and quickly too!

2. Your Skin’s Needs Changed

For example, as we get older, skin loses collagen, elastin, sebum, and all that other good stuff that keeps it naturally moisturized and healthy. If you don’t change your skincare routine to amp up the level of hydration your skin’s getting, you’ll be stuck with dry skin for the rest of your life.

Or, let’s say, your brightening serum has done a good job and your dark spots have gone. Your skin now needs more hydration. You can keep using the best brightening serum out there, and it won’t do much. Not because it’s stopped working, but because it’s not what your skin is craving anymore.

3. The Product Has Expired

Also worth checking: is the product still within its shelf life? If it’s been open for more than 6–12 months, chances are the active ingredients have started breaking down. So technically, yes – it’s not doing what it used to, but that’s not your skin adapting. That’s just expired skincare.

4. Other Things That Can Trigger Skin Changes

  • Hormones: Going on or off birth control, pregnancy, menopause… hormones play a huge role in how much oil your skin produces.
  • Stress: Cortisol can trigger breakouts, sensitivity, and dullness. So if you’ve been under pressure lately, your skin might reflect it.
  • Diet and gut health: Skin is your biggest detox organ. Changes in digestion, allergies, or inflammation can show up on your face before anywhere else.
  • Products that interact: Maybe you added a new serum that clashes with something you’re already using. A single ingredient can throw off your skin’s balance if you’re not careful.

What If Nothing Changes In Your Skin?

Then, there’s no need to change your skincare products. By all means, if you want to try something new, do it. I do it all the time too. It’s fun. But don’t do it because you think your fave skincare products will stop working if you don’t. They won’t.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve found a skincare routine that works for you, stick with it. Only when something changes in your skin, you should update your routine to cater to its new needs.