What's behind skincare plateaus?Updated a year ago
We find that most of our clients experience very noticeable and impressive results within just a few months (and often within weeks!), especially if using the full Protocol range.
But then, after a few months, the dramatic improvement in the skin just… stops. This can be pretty disappointing if you are hoping to age backward.
But your skin can only renew itself so much. At a certain point, even the most effective anti-aging routine will hit its maximum impact. From then on, your products will help you maintain your results, but they can’t change things up much further.
Some experts believe that another reason for the plateauing is a concept called tachyphylaxis. This is the idea that your skin builds up a tolerance to your active ingredients, and it’s well-documented with topical steroids.
Dermatologists and estheticians are split on whether this issue applies to anti-aging ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, and unfortunately, there’s no great research on the topic. That said, if true, it may explain why some users see an increase in benefits after taking a break from their active skincare following a plateau.
No matter the underlying reasons, once you hit a plateau, skincare products that seemed miraculous can start feeling overpriced. That’s when you might be tempted to opt for cheaper anti-aging products of dubious quality. But in reality, you’re much better off spending a little more on a stabilized, high-powered serum like our Enzyme-Active Retinol Serum, but less often.