How long does it take to see a difference in your skin?

Short answer: usually 2 to 3 months. The outer layer of your skin renews itself in around four weeks. The older you are, the longer it takes. And a spot you see today has already been developing for weeks. So changes you make to your routine now may not show up until your skin has gone through a few renewal cycles. That’s why it’s best to give a new routine, including a supplement like Clear+, 90 days before you assess it. After that, you keep it up: your skin needs those nutrients every day.

You start something new for your skin feeling hopeful. Two weeks later, you look in the mirror and wonder: is anything actually happening? That’s completely normal. It’s also when many people stop, before their skin has even had a chance to show any changes. In this article, we’ll explain why your skin needs time, what to expect in the first 90 days and how to tell whether a routine is right for you.

Why your skin doesn’t change overnight

Your skin might look like it’s doing nothing, but it’s always at work. New cells are constantly made at the base of its outer layer. They slowly move upwards, becoming flatter and tougher along the way, before shedding from the surface without you noticing. That’s how your skin continually renews itself.

For younger people, that journey from bottom to top takes around four weeks. It slows down as you get older and can take six weeks or more. That means something important: the skin you see in the mirror today was made weeks ago, with the nutrients, hormones and stress you had at the time.

So if you change your routine today, you won’t see it reflected tomorrow. The earliest you might see a difference is after one full cycle, and it usually takes a few. Think months, not days.

A spot has been developing for weeks

The same goes for spots. A spot doesn’t form overnight. It starts when a pore gradually becomes blocked with oil and skin cells. That blockage develops beneath the surface for a while, long before you can see or feel anything. You only notice it when the pore becomes red and tender.

So the spot you notice today is really a message from the past. It was already on its way before you started your new routine. That’s why you may still see new spots in the first few weeks. It doesn’t tell you much about your new routine yet.

Want to know exactly how a spot forms? Read Spots and your skin from within.

Your skin will always have ups and downs

Your skin doesn’t improve in a straight line. It responds to all sorts of things going on in your life. For example:

• Your cycle. Many women notice more blemishes in the week before their period, often around the chin and jawline.
• Stress and sleep. A busy spell at work or school, exams or a few short nights can often show up on your skin.
• The seasons. Cold weather and heating can dry out your skin in winter, while you sweat more in summer.
• New products. A new foundation, sunscreen or cleanser can temporarily throw your skin off balance.

So you can have a less-than-great week early in a new routine. That doesn’t say anything about the routine yet: it’s just your skin doing what it always does. Look at the pattern over a few months, not a single week.

Your first 90 days, step by step

What does a 90-day period look like in practice? Everyone’s different, but here’s what most people experience.

Weeks 1 to 4: building the habit

In the first month, it’s all about getting into the routine. You find a regular time, get used to the capsules or drink, and might forget once or twice. You probably won’t see much change in your skin yet, which makes sense: the skin cells you can see now were made before you started. Take a photo on day 1 and start a short skin diary so you have something to compare later.

Weeks 5 to 8: the first full cycle

By this point, your skin has renewed itself for the first time since you started. This is also when many people begin to doubt it: the novelty has worn off and you still can’t see a big difference. This is exactly when sticking with it matters. Take another photo in the same light and put it next to your day 1 photo. Day to day, you may not notice much. Side by side, you might see more than you expected.

Weeks 9 to 13: taking stock

After about three months, your skin has been through a few full cycles with your new routine. Now’s the time for an honest look. Compare your photos, check your skin diary for how your cycle and busy weeks lined up, and ask yourself how your skin feels now. Only then do you have enough information to decide whether the routine is right for you.

After day 90: making it a lasting habit

Does the routine work for you? Then this is the beginning, not the end. From here, it’s about keeping it up until you don’t have to think about it. We’ll explain how below.

How to assess it fairly

The mirror isn’t a great measuring tool. You see yourself every day in different lighting, and your eye goes straight to the things you don’t like. Try this instead:

• Take photos in the same light. Pick a regular spot, such as by a window, and a regular time, such as in the morning after washing your face. Take a photo on day 1, after 6 weeks and after 90 days.
• Keep a short skin diary. One line a week is enough: how does your skin feel, where are you in your cycle, and how was your week? It helps you spot patterns you’d otherwise miss.
• Don’t change everything at once. If you start a supplement, don’t overhaul your entire skincare routine too. Otherwise, you won’t know what made a difference.
• Compare like with like. Compare a photo from the week before your period with one from the same week a month later, not with a photo from a good week.

Why stopping after three weeks is a shame

Many people who say they’ve “tried it before” stopped within a month. It’s understandable: you’re putting in the effort and can’t see anything yet. But as you’ve read, after three weeks your skin hasn’t even completed one full cycle. If you stop then, you haven’t really given yourself anything to measure.

That applies to anything you do for your skin. Even with medicines prescribed by a GP, Thuisarts says it usually takes 3 to 4 months before you notice an improvement. Patience with your skin isn’t a weakness. It’s just how skin works.

Tip: definitely stick with it for 3 months!! It took a little while to do its thing, but I can look in the mirror with confidence again.

Kim B.

Make the most of your 90 days

A few things can make those three months easier to stick with and assess fairly:

• Pair it with breakfast. Put your supplement next to your coffee machine or breakfast plate. If you see it, you’re more likely to take it.
• Don’t let yourself run out. An empty pouch is where many routines end. A subscription gets your next one to you in time.
• Keep your skincare simple. A gentle cleanser, a light moisturiser and sunscreen. More isn’t always better.
• Leave spots alone. Squeezing often makes a spot bigger and redder, and can leave a dark mark that lasts longer than the spot itself.
• Pay attention to sleep and stress. It sounds boring, but both often show up on your skin.

Where Clear+ fits into your 90 days

Clear+ is designed to make a 90-day routine easy to stick to. Take two capsules with a meal every day and you’ll get ten ingredients, with zinc, vitamin A and vitamin B5 at the core. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Your skin needs these nutrients every day, not just on the days you eat well.

Because we know your skin needs time, our guarantee lasts 90 days too. If it’s your first Clear+ order, take it every day for 90 days. Not happy after that? Let us know within 10 days, send back all the pouches and we’ll refund your purchase price, minus the cost of the return label. That way, you can give your skin the time it needs without having to decide after just three weeks.

Want to know exactly what’s in Clear+ and why we use those amounts? Read What’s in Clear+, and why these doses?

What happens after 90 days?

Day 90 is the time to take stock, not necessarily the time to stop. Your skin doesn’t stop: it makes new cells every day and needs nutrients to do that. The skin you’ll see in a month is being made now, with what you take in today.

Your body also doesn’t store large amounts of many of those nutrients. You don’t have a big reserve of zinc, and you pass out vitamins such as B5 and C in your urine if your body doesn’t use them straight away. Stop your routine and that consistent daily supply stops too.

Think of it like brushing your teeth: you don’t do it for a few months and then stop forever. You do it every day because it’s an everyday need. That’s why many people have made Clear+ part of their morning for well over a year. A subscription makes it easy: your next pouch arrives in time, and you get 20% off.

When to see your GP instead of waiting

Patience matters, but not always. If you have lots of painful or deep spots, you’re left with scars or dark marks, or your skin is really getting you down, don’t wait 90 days. Make an appointment with your GP. They can help you understand what’s going on and what’s right for you.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a skin supplement take to work?

Allow 2 to 3 months. The outer layer of your skin renews itself in around four weeks, and it takes longer as you get older. So you need a few full cycles before you can fairly assess whether a routine is right for you.

Why 90 days?

In 90 days, the outer layer of your skin usually renews itself two to three times. That gives you enough time to make a fair comparison between your skin before and after starting a new routine, while allowing for normal ups and downs, such as your cycle or a busy week. Any sooner is often too early to tell.

Can my skin get worse at first?

You might still see new spots at first. Most were already developing before you started. Your skin also has good and not-so-good weeks, for example because of your cycle, stress or the season. If you notice anything that concerns you, stop and speak to your GP.

What if I miss a day?

No problem. Just take your usual daily dose the next day. Don’t take a double dose. What matters is what you do over weeks and months, not one day.

Should I change my skincare when I start Clear+?

No. Keep your skincare routine the same so you can make a fair comparison after 90 days. A gentle cleanser, a light moisturiser and sunscreen are enough.

Should I keep taking Clear+ after 90 days?

Yes, if it works for you. Your skin renews itself every day and needs nutrients every day. Your body doesn’t store much of them, so if you stop, that daily supply stops too. That’s why many people make it part of their morning, just like brushing their teeth. With a subscription, you can skip a delivery or cancel whenever you like through your account.

What if I’m not happy after 90 days?

You’ll get your money back. On your first order, take Clear+ every day for 90 days, then let us know within 10 days. You’ll find all the terms in our refund policy.

This article is for general information only and isn’t medical advice. If your skin is causing you significant problems, see your GP. Clear+ is a food supplement. A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.