It can be tough to decide which skin care products to use, especially with so many cleansers, moisturisers, and cosmetics on the market. While knowing your skin type might help you choose products that are tailored to your needs, it's still possible that you'll wind up with an irritant. A skin care product, such as one of the preservatives, can sometimes cause allergic contact dermatitis, a condition in which your skin becomes red, itchy, and swollen.
Fortunately, testing skin care products on a few small areas of your skin before using them can help you forecast whether you'll have a bad reaction.
To test a skin care product, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
1. For seven to ten days, apply the product twice daily to a test location. Choose a quarter-sized area on your skin, such as the bottom of your arm or the bend of your elbow, where the product will not be rubbed or washed away. Use the same amount and thickness as if you were applying the product on a regular basis.
2. Allow the product to sit on your skin for as long as you normally would. If you're testing a cleanser that you'd normally wash off, leave it on your skin for five minutes or as long as the instructions advise.
3. If you don't experience any skin reactions after seven to ten days, such as red, itchy, or puffy skin, continue to use the cream.
4. Some components, like as retinol and glycolic acid, can irritate your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. This is very natural and only lasts a short time.
5. If you have a skin response, wash it off gently as soon as possible and don't use it again. If necessary, use a cool compress or petroleum jelly to soothe your skin. If your response to a product is severe and not eased by cool compresses or petroleum jelly, you may need to consult a dermatologist.
It's sometimes easier said than done to figure out what's causing your skin irritation. If you're having trouble determining which chemical is causing your skin to react, consult a board-certified dermatologist for assistance. To figure out what's causing your irritation, you could need a medical procedure called patch testing.
It's critical to avoid the cause once it's been recognised. If your skin reacts to scent in skin care products, for example, look for items that are labelled "fragrance free." Keep in mind that even if a skin care product is labelled "unscented" or contains plant-based botanical ingredients, it may still include fragrance-related compounds.