If you have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis or topical steroid withdrawal it’s likely you’ve tried a hundred different products with little success. Many skin care brands can cause irritation to allergy prone skin so you need to be careful, always check ingredients and ALWAYS patch test before using.
What is skin care testing?
Not to be confused with allergy patch testing, you can test any skincare products safely in your own home. It’s so easy to do, and is advisable when trying any new skincare product. Never slather anything on without testing. If you plan to have a tattoo or get your hair dyed, always patch test as both of these can cause serious and dangerous reactions.
10 tips to patch test skincare products
- Ask for a sample tester pot from the product or brand you want to try out. Many companies will supply these, particularly lovely independent brands.
- Wash or cleanse the area with warm water or cleanser
- Use a tiny drop behind your ear, wrist, behind elbow or somewhere it will not be seen
- You can use something like a cotton bud to apply so it doesn’t come into contact with your hands
- Wash hands after applying test dollop
- Wait for a day or 24 hours to see if you see irritation.
- Bear in mind, when you start using new products, irritation can build up due to ingredients like Limonene, so even if you get a successful patch test, you still might react to build up a product, of after a few uses
- Some products may seem OK but react when exposed to oxygen on your skin
- Learn to listen to your skin, and note any itchiness, redness or irritation
Do not use any product that causes any irritation.
What’s the difference between an allergy and an irritation?
Sometimes people say they are allergic to a skincare product. The chances are they probably aren’t but it’s confusing, because irritation reactions can be serious and painful. Many ingredients in skincare products can be irritating to the skin, even natural things like oils, lanolin, etc.
- Allergy – You can get patch testing done at your local dermatology clinic. They will apply plasters with tiny discs containing small quantities of allergenic or irritant contact allergens. These will be left on for a number of days before the patches are removed. A true allergy will cause a lasting and strong reaction that a dermatologist can determine.
- Irritation – Different things can just cause inflammation on the skin, this doesn’t always indicate a true allergy. It’s still vitally important to work out what causes your skin irritation so be vigilant, always test a small spot and amount before using new products and get to know the ingredients in products you are putting on your skin.
Do you react to loads of skincare products?
You are not alone in this, I’ve been struggling to find suitable skincare products now for YEARS. I try something and it irritates me time and time again. I have given away or thrown away so much skincare, cleansers, emollients, balms etc. It gets so depressing and means we spend a fortune searching; all the while these products often promise the earth, a cure and more. It’s almost now like I’m so triggered even by the thought of trying new things that I’ve stopped accepting samples. I have some favourite brands now and I’m sticking with them.
Do you struggle with irritation to skincare products? What was the worst thing you used? I’d love to hear your comments. Click here for my favourite products for discounts.
You may also be interesting in reading:
- Patch testing for contact allergens explained
- Top ten tips for coping with a nickel allergy
- Why you should never put SLS on skin but SLES is ok!
Photo by Jocelyn Morales on Unsplash
Do you know what I found recently was a culprit? Shea butter! One of the best things for your skin, very nourishing. But it is a latex-like substance and some people with latex problems can react to it. Who knew? And don’t expect reactions to just be on the skin either: bloating and digestive issues are common. Interesting Q&A here: https://vermontsoap.com/does-shea-butter-contain-latex/. Of course, the one I was using (to make my own skincare) was the best – Nigerian and very rich – so it no doubt contained more of the latex type protein than other lesser quality ones. How did I find out? I put a small bit of raw shea butter onto some eczema and it burnt like hell! Now in the bin. Expensive too, what a shame!
Oh WOW! what a shame. I too have a latex allergy so was aware of the Shea link but I seem to be able to use it OK. Though Hardly anything goes onto the sensitive skin on my face. I do have a cream with Shea butter that I use on knuckles and elbows when they get split and sore and it works well. Just trial and error and listening to the skin, and noting those reactions. Great way to test though, putting on sensitive skin patches will tell you immediately if it’s a no go. I now put milk onto my hand in cafes to test if it’s really plant milk as I trust no one these days. You have to be so careful. Thanks so much for the comment.
After reading the blog post on 10 simple hacks to safely patch test your skincare on What Allergy?, I’m impressed by the practical and insightful advice provided. Patch testing is crucial for individuals with allergies or sensitive skin, and this article offers a collection of useful tips to ensure the process is both effective and safe. The step-by-step guide for patch testing, along with the explanation of potential allergens and irritants, makes this article a valuable resource for anyone seeking to navigate skincare choices more confidently. The inclusion of personal experiences and recommendations adds authenticity to the piece. Kudos to What Allergy? for sharing this informative resource that empowers readers to make informed skincare decisions while minimizing the risk of adverse reactions. This article serves as a handy guide for those who are conscious of their skin’s sensitivity and are looking to adopt a more cautious approach to skincare experimentation.
Well thank you so much John! What a lovely comment. I don’t get many blog reviews like this and this one made me smile. Makes the job of blogging so much more worth while.
I too am very reactive to Shea butter and have the exact same problem with wasting goodness knows how many pounds a year on expensive products only to have to bin them or find a home for them as my reactions are very severe. The weird thing about my allergies is that I don’t only flare up in the area to which I have applied the product but I get a chain reaction all over starting with allergic dermatitis on the scalp, then face flares up and finally the body and the itching is manic. Was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Just want to say thank you so much Ruth for your wonderful helpful posts, I find them so interesting and for all us allergy sufferers it is great to be able to give and receive empathy and support..
Thank you so much Ruth, it’s so frustrating isn’t it? Now I’ve found a few safe things I almost daren’t try new things now. I’ve had to pass so much onto my mum who loves all the things I can’t use. LOL. And thanks for your lovely comment. You are so kind. It’s so lovely hearing that what I write helps and is interesting! It can seem like blogging to noone sometimes. Hope you’re well and keep in touch. Do tell me also what you want me to write more of. RX