As eager as you may be to trying out the new skin care product you just purchased, it is important to patch test beforehand. Patch testing is when you apply the product on a patch of your skin to determine if your skin is compatible with the ingredients in the product. If you don’t patch test first and apply the product all over your skin, if you experience any type of skin reaction, it will be harder to contain. Sensitive skin is especially prone to having a negative reaction, whether it be to the chemicals, preservatives, or other ingredients. Therefore, it is essential that you patch test on a small area of your skin when applying any new product.
To effectively perform a patch test, you need to apply a dime sized amount of product to a small area of your skin. Make sure you don’t apply it anywhere that you can easily wash off because it needs to be on the skin long enough to determine how your skin reacts. You can patch test on the inside of your arm or any area you see fit. Keep the product on for as long as you normally plan on wearing it. Performing the patch test once isn’t enough, you need to repeat these steps for at least a week. It can take a couple of days before a reaction occurs; therefore, it is important to wait this trial period before implementing the product into your skin care routine. If you notice that your skin starts to burn, sting, develop discoloration or a rash, make sure to wash off the product immediately.
When introducing new products into your skin care routine, make sure to be aware of the ingredients that can be irritants. Ingredients such as anthralin, benzalkonium chloride tretinoin, tetra ethylene glycol diacrylate, dithranol, epichlorohydrin, podophyllin, and propane sulphone can be found in skin care products and can cause contact dermatitis due to their contents. Contact dermatitis is when your skin has a delayed negative reaction to a product. However, if you have previously encountered the same irritant, then it is likely that your skin may react negatively right away. There are also many allergens in cosmetic products that you should be aware of. These allergens range from fragrances, preservatives, dyes, metals, and natural rubber.
When choosing a product, your safest bet is to choose one that is fragrant free. Make sure that the product specifically states “fragrant free” and not just “unscented”. Unscented products can still contain fragrances that can potentially cause an allergic reaction. Products that have fewer ingredients tend to be safer and more natural. It is important to note that you can patch test and still experience skin irritation as time goes on. You should reach out to a skin care specialist if you develop hives, haven’t seen improvement on a rash, or develop a rash that is oozing puss. Reactions like these are more severe and should be monitored by a professional.