If you have sensitive skin, the initial thing you should do is to be aware of products, even to products claiming that it is hypoallergenic. Trying a new product for your sensitive skin should not lead to a painful rash or allergy. So, with that being said, safe testing of new products will prevent you from suffering from painful rashes or even acne breakout. In this article, you will be delving into ways on how to block those painful flare-ups!
Patch testing is a way to determine if a product will cause inflammation to the skin. This is important to note, especially if someone has a history of being sensitive to products that are applied to the skin. With that, it is a must to conduct a patch test first before using a product. Most importantly, if you have reacted to products applied to your skin in the past, have unusual eczema, or have been diagnosed by a dermatologist as having an allergic contact dermatitis, a patch test would be necessary before applying a cosmetic product to the skin.
In conducting a patch test, you may want to try a sample size of the product you wanted to test. Next is to apply a small amount of the product you are going to use in any area of your face that is not overtly apparent, like in your neck near the ear or in the jawline. You can also start your patch test on your leg, somewhere behind your knees, or in the skin inside your elbow. If a reaction occurred, like swelling, redness, or discomfort, remove the product immediately, wash your face, and cease all use.
Any reaction to a product means that you are allergic to probably one or several ingredients in the product. In general, this reaction is called ‘allergic contact dermatitis.’ This is a reaction to a substance or group of substances that are called ‘allergen.’ An allergy is an oversensitivity or hypersensitivity to a particular substance. When this allergic reaction occurred, a rash will develop. With this, one must stop applying the product to the skin. Nevertheless, if there is no single reaction within 24 hours in a seven-day span, the product is probably safe for your skin to use.
How to Minimize the Risk of Skin Allergy and Breakout?
Aside from patch testing, you can also look for the most common ingredients that are likely to cause inflammation to your skin. Having sensitive skin also means that you have to be responsible for choosing products with unfamiliar ingredients. Every skin is different, so keeping a log of skin reactions can create a reliable risk of ingredients you are allergic to. But, of course, you should also not forget to ask your dermatologist about the things you wanted to know further. Seeking an expert is a wise move than blindly trusting an unknown product.
Below are some of the ingredients that tend to cause skin inflammation:
- Synthetic fragrance
- Metals
- Aluminum Compounds
- Sulfates or Sulphates
- Alpa-Hydroxy or Beta-Hydroxy Acids like Glycolic and Salicylic Acids
It is also important to note that products marked as ‘hypoallergenic’ produce fewer skin reactions. However, the word ‘hypoallergenic’ means different things to a different manufacturer. Know that this term is not a guarantee that a specific product will not cause irritation to the skin.
Moreover, introducing one product at a time is one of the wise things to do if you have sensitive skin. If you are eager to test out a new skincare product, it might be tempting to try out all products at once. But since you cannot risk having a skin breakout, you should introduce one product at a time. Wait for about a week before moving on to the next step and watch carefully if there will be redness, itching, peeling, or other danger signs. As it was mentioned, if a product caused a reaction, it must be stopped immediately. If you have skin that is very sensitive, consider eliminating all the old products and add them gradually again. This is because some products work well on their own than with other products.