Adding new products to your skincare regime is always exciting, but also a daunting task since you do not know how your skin will react. Sometimes, even if the products are carefully formulated, a new product or mix of products can lead to irritation and redness. Here are some things to keep in mind when incorporating new products!
The Product Might Not Be Breaking You Out, But It’s Causing A Reaction In Your Skin:
Surprising, not all irritation caused by a new product means you should discard the product immediately. Numerous products, especially anti-aging and acne treatments, can cause some initial redness, peeling, and dryness.
Here are some ingredients that are commonly known to be irritating for first-time users:
- Retinoids
- Salicylic Acid
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Glycolic Acid
- Lactic Acid
To avoid this, introduce the product by starting small to gain tolerance. This means you should aim to use the product no more than three times a week with only a pea-sized amount. After doing this for two weeks, you can gradually increase the frequency of use and build toward using greater amounts of product. However, keep in mind that not everyone’s skin is the same and you should always listen to your skin before using it more frequently.
Always Perform A Patch Test
This testing stage before putting the product all over your face is important in determining whether it’s safe to put on. Even if you do not consider your skin to be sensitive, it may not handle strong ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid.
How To: To begin, you need to apply a small amount of product to a small patch of skin in places such as on the neck or behind the ear. After 24 hours of having the product on, check the area for any irritation, redness, or itchiness.
Don’t Use Expired Products
All good things must come to an end -- unfortunately, that includes our beloved skincare products. The FDA states that a product’s shelf life informs the user of how long a product can last before it loses its intended effectiveness and appearance.
When applying a product following its expiration date, the product is no longer considered effective and may not yield any improvements when used. Additionally, the effects of using expired products also extend to possible irritation and breakouts, so it’s safe to throw it in the trash once it reaches the expiration date instead of risking it.
Universally, the skin care product’s shelf life lasts six months to one year, but you can always check the packaging for an image of a small open jar with a number inside for a more specific time. This number indicates how many months the product remains effective right after it was opened.
Written by Cameron Rosario