The Skin Nerd: These are the top reasons your skincare's not working for you

Get to the bottom of the problem and never waste money again!

Jennifer Rock: "If you feel like your serum or moisturiser is doing little for you, the problem could actually be a lack of hydration. The first step to rectifying this problem is to work out if your skin is oily, dry or dehydrated"

Whatever the price of the product, skincare is an investment. This is why it’s so frustrating when we don’t get the results we are hoping for.

Whilst some of us may be quick to discard a product that doesn’t live up to our hopes in an act of pure disappointment, it’s worth considering if you are using the product correctly before totally giving up on it...

If you feel like your serum or moisturiser is doing little for you, the problem could actually be a lack of hydration.

The first step to rectifying this problem is to work out if your skin is oily, dry, or dehydrated

How can you find this out?

Our skin type is genetic — eg dry or oily — whereas dehydration is a temporary condition that can be rectified with an inside, outside, and on-top approach.

If you have dry skin, you will notice that you typically experience dryness all year round and, as you lack oil, your body can be dry too.

Oiliness can be easier to identify, as excess oil can be seen on the skin.

For example, you may notice shiny patches on places such as the forehead, chin, and in the corner of the nose.

You may also notice that makeup slides off more throughout the day and feel it necessary to blot these areas regularly.

If you are dehydrated, skin tends to be taut, coarse, and overly sensitised in certain areas and feels tight and void of water.

The next question to ask yourself is if you are exfoliating effectively

Typically, I find that people are more likely to over-exfoliate rather than under-exfoliate.

People can rely too heavily on combinations of acids together with actives such as retinols.

Although using these ingredients can have lots of benefits for your complexion, overuse can cause problems with the delicate skin barrier.

This can leave it compromised over time.

Under-exfoliating could also be at fault.

If you think this could be the case, consider switching to something hydration-based or more enzymatic.

Lactic acid is ideal for gently but effectively sloughing off dead skin cells, for a brighter, fresher complexion.

Over-washing?

Another possibility could be over-washing your skin — unless you are hitting the gym or sweating lots, cleansing twice daily is ideal and helps your skin to remain balanced.

If I am looking for a quick moisture boost, I like to apply a sheet mask.

I follow this up with a hydrating serum.

I often use this method within facials behind the scenes for TV shows such as Dancing with the Stars, as it gives the skin an instant boost.

Treating the skin to a sheet mask is also beneficial, as it will allow the skincare that is applied afterwards to penetrate further.

• Seoulista do some great sheet masks including Seoulista Super Hydration Instant Facial Sheet Mask (€9.49, theskinnerd.com), which is rich in antioxidants and works to improve elasticity, smoothness, and radiance.
• A great option for maximising moisture following your sheet mask is Bahama Hyaluronic Moisture Gel (€12.95, bahamaofficial.com), which contains hyaluronic acid — a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin and keeps it there.

What about when makeup doesn’t sit right — could skincare be at fault here too?

Most definitely!

A consistent skincare routine is key for makeup with a flawless and longer-lasting finish.

Along with using the right products, doing the prep work is crucial and can affect how your makeup looks, how long your makeup will last, and how fresh your skin appears.

What is important here is the interaction between your skin and your makeup. The goal is that your skin is as welcoming as possible to any makeup applied afterwards. The texture of your skin often affects how makeup sits up on it.

For example, rough patches can show up on dry skin or oilier skin can lead to foundation sliding off the face. To get the skin prepped to perfection and provide protection against the sun’s harmful rays, I recommend Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturising + Priming SPF 50 PA+++ (€57, skingredients.com).

This broad-spectrum sunscreen is adored by makeup artists for its priming as well as protecting abilities, leaving a peachy-tinted, dewiness but zero pilling.

Just remember to reapply every two hours — as recommended by the Irish Cancer Society.