How to Avoid Unwanted Reactions to Skincare Products
It's happened to the best of us: you're minding your own business, using your skincare products as usual, when suddenly you start feeling itchiness, redness, or even pain. Your skin has had an adverse reaction to something in the product, and it's not happy.
While it's true that everyone's skin is different and what works for one person may not work for another, there are some general guidelines you can follow to avoid unwanted reactions to skincare products. By being mindful of the ingredients in your products and patch-testing new products before using them, you can help ensure that your skin stays happy and healthy.
Watch out for potential allergens.
The first step in avoiding an unwanted reaction to a skincare product is to be aware of potential allergens. Just like some people are allergic to certain foods, some people are also allergic to certain skincare ingredients.
Common allergens include fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and botanicals such as eucalyptus and mint. If you know that you have sensitivities to any of these ingredients, be sure to check the labels of any new products before using them. And if you're not sure whether or not you're allergic to something, patch-testing is always a good idea (more on that below).
Choose products formulated for your skin type.
Another way to avoid reactions is to make sure you're using products that are formulated for your specific skin type. If you have oily skin, for example, using a heavy moisturizer will probably just end up clogging your pores and causing breakouts. Similarly, if you have dry skin, using a harsh cleanser will only leave your skin feeling tight and irritated.
Doing a bit of research to find out what kind of products are best for your skin type can save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. And while we're on the topic of research…
Educate yourself about skincare ingredients.
If you want to avoid reactions, it's important to educate yourself about skincare ingredients—both the good ones and the ones that tend to cause problems. For example, many people are surprised to learn that mineral oil is actually a very effective emollient and moisturizer; however, it can also be comedogenic (meaning it can clog pores).
Similarly, salicylic acid is commonly touted as an acne-fighting ingredient—and it is—but it can also cause dryness, redness, and peeling if used incorrectly. The bottom line is that there's no such thing as a "miracle" ingredient; even the most beneficial ingredients can cause problems if they're not used properly.
Patch-test new products before using them . . .
Product test charts, tempting as it may be to dive headfirst into trying out that new serum or moisturizer everyone's been raving about lately, it's always best to patch-test first. Patch-testing simply means applying a small amount of the product in question (usually on your wrist or inner elbow) and waiting 24-48 hours to see if any reactions develop.
This is especially important if you're trying out a new brand or formula for the first time; even if you don't think you have sensitive skin, it's always better to be safe than sorry!
. . . But keep in mind that even non-irritating products need time to adjust!
Finally, it's important to remember that even non-irritating products need time to adjust once they've been introduced into your skincare routine—so don't expect miracles overnight! In general, give each new product at least four weeks before deciding whether or not it agrees with your skin; this will give your complexion time to adjust and will give you a more accurate idea of how the product actually works.
There's no doubt about it: dealing with an adverse reaction to a skincare product is never fun. But by being aware of potential allergens and patch-testing new products before using them liberally all over your face, you can help ensure that your complexion stays happy and healthy. And remember—even non-irritating products need time to adjust once they've been introduced into your routine—so don't expect miracles overnight!
