Is Your Skincare Routine Actually Working? Dermatologist Dr Jenny Liu Explains How to Target Your Concerns

Choosing skincare products often feels overwhelming, especially when labels promise to fix everything at once. Dr Jenny Liu, a board-certified dermatologist based in Minnesota, said the key is to match ingredients to specific skin concerns rather than relying on generic routines. She explained that different problems — acne, pigmentation, or early signs of ageing — respond to different actives, and understanding this makes skincare more effective and less complicated.

She said most skin concerns improve when the focus is on proven ingredients used consistently, rather than rotating products too often.




Acne and texture: matching ingredients to oily and clogged skin

Dr Liu said acne develops due to a combination of acne-causing bacteria, inflammation, and clogged pores. She highlighted benzoyl peroxide as a reliable option. She explained that it works by killing acne-causing bacteria, reducing inflammation, and helping prevent pores from becoming blocked.

“Benzoyl peroxide targets the bacteria behind breakouts and helps calm active inflammation,” she said.

For people with oily skin or uneven texture, she said salicylic acid is beneficial. According to her, it is one of the best exfoliants for oily skin because it penetrates pores and clears excess oil. This helps smooth the skin’s surface and reduce congestion that can lead to breakouts.

She said these ingredients should be used with care and not layered excessively. Overuse, she explained, can disrupt the skin barrier and trigger irritation, which often worsens acne rather than improving it.

Ageing, pigmentation, and dullness

Addressing long-term skin changes requires a different approach. Dr Liu said prescription retinoids remain the standard for improving skin texture over time. She explained that retinoids increase cell turnover, smooth roughness, and stimulate collagen production, making them effective for wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven skin.

“Retinoids help refine the skin gradually by boosting collagen and increasing cell turnover,” she said, adding that results take time and consistency.

For hyperpigmentation and dull skin, she recommended vitamin C as a reliable option. She said vitamin C helps brighten the skin, even out tone, and protect against free-radical damage caused by sun exposure and environmental stress.

According to Dr Liu, vitamin C is most effective when used regularly rather than occasionally. She added that its protective benefits are just as crucial as its brightening effects.

She also emphasized that skincare does not need to be complicated to be effective. A routine built around a few well-chosen actives, gentle cleansing, and daily sun protection, she said, often delivers better results than complex regimens.

Her guidance highlights a practical way to think about skincare — not as a one-size-fits-all solution, but as a targeted approach where each ingredient serves a clear purpose.