We all spend hours researching and reading about which beauty product is best suited for our skin type because skincare is an investment. However, even with all that reading, it still doesn’t guarantee that the product will work well for our skin. All skin types are different and unique and products that may have worked magically for another just don’t suit us. There is also the chance that we could be allergic to an ingredient so not only are we putting ourselves at risk of skin irritation and rashes but also have lost out on a lot of money.
Skincare products could be loaded with exfoliating ingredients such as AHA and BHA which can be harsh on the skin. They can also be infused with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, coconut, and essential oils. But how do you determine whether the product is actually going to work for you and not cause your skin to flare up? It’s simple- with a patch test.
Here’s Why A Patch Test Is Important Before Using A Skincare Product
As mentioned earlier, skincare products contain a whole lot of active ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction. So, by doing a patch test, you can ensure that it’s actually well suited for you.
A patch test means applying a small amount of the product on your skin to see if it causes any severe reaction such as redness, inflammation, acne, or even painful bumps. If you don’t see any reaction on the skin, you’re good to go but if you do, you can wash it off and soothe the swelling or inflammation with ice.
Here’s How To Do A Patch Test Correctly
One of the best ways to check if a product can do more harm than good is by carefully combing through its ingredient list. We suggest that you do thorough research online before making the purchase. If the ingredients are to your liking, do a patch test on your skin to make sure you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients.
Here’s how to do one:
Step 1: The first and foremost thing that you should do is clean the area(s) you’re going to test on with water. Do not use any type of cleanser or makeup wipes as they contain active ingredients too. The best spots on your skin to test on are your wrist, your neck, or behind your ear.
Step 2: The next step is to apply the product. Just apply a small drop or a pea-sized amount and massage it into the skin.
Step 3: You can either wait for a few hours to make sure that your skin is okay or cover it up using a bandage and do a full 24-hour test. And if your skin remains the same then hey, you can totally add your new product to your skincare regimen!
So next time you buy a skincare product, make sure you have a patch party first.
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