How to introduce new skincare safely?Updated a year ago
When a flare-up hides behind every corner, it’s so important to introduce new products slowly and gradually. These are our key tips to reduce the chances of skin irritation when you introduce new skincare for sensitive skin.
Following these tips will help you learn to listen to your skin and recognize the early signs of irritation, for happier skin in the long term!
Patch test
The best thing you can do for your skin is adopt a patch testing habit, which allows you to pre-emptively ensure that a product won’t irritate your skin. Patch testing is the diagnostic tool dermatologists use to identify allergies, but the term is a little less rigid when applied to testing skincare at home.
To patch test, apply a product to a small spot on your skin for a few days in a row. Follow the product’s specific instructions for frequency and duration. For example, if it’s a non-exfoliating cleanser, use it every day for a few days in a row, but make sure to wash it off. If it’s a moisturizer, apply it twice a day, and leave it on.
If your skin doesn’t have a negative reaction after 5 to 10 days, you can try adding it to your normal skincare routine. On the other hand, redness or stinging (especially from a simpler product like a cleanser or moisturizer) are a sign that it may not work for you.
Gradual introduction
Patch testing is great, but it’s not totally foolproof. In cases of highly active skincare products (like retinoids or chemical exfoliants), your skin might react from overuse. It’s not that these products are totally harmful or inappropriate for your skin, but that overusing them can disrupt your skin barrier.
To find the sweet spot, you’ll want to introduce them into your routine slowly. Start with just once or twice a week. Week by week, increase the frequency until you find the sweet spot. If you experience irritation at any point, decrease frequency. You may find that your sensitive skin tolerates daily retinol just fine, but that you can’t use a chemical exfoliation more than once a week and that’s totally okay! A slow introduction lets you figure out exactly what works for your skin.