Sensitive Skin? When in Doubt Do a Patch Test

Skin Care Tip: If you have extremely sensitive and allergic skin, it’s always recommended to do a patch test for compatibility prior to using any new products. When you’re trying a new line you’re excited to dive right in and use everything, but if you have a negative reaction to something you’ll never know what it was.

What’s considered sensitive and allergic skin? I have rosacea and so I have to use gentle products (I’m a skin type #5) but I don’t get easily allergic to products. The kind of sensitivity that would require patch tests is those who are prone to getting rashes, hives or itchiness from products.

How to do a patch test: The best place to patch skin care products is the side of the neck. This area is actually more sensitive than the skin on the face but a good place to test out any new products.

Apply a small amount of product to the side of the neck, rub in and wait 24 hours and if there isn’t a negative reaction, you’re all set.

Note: The product category that allergic skins are most likely to have a reaction to are products that you would leave on the skin (moisturizer, serum, toner, eye cream) as opposed to a cleanser that you apply and rinse right off. Also, if you are doing a patch test with a product that contains Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid or other AHA’s, it is normal that they might leave a little red mark on the neck simply because (depending on the strength) these are not meant for use on the neck…

What to do if you have a reaction? If you ever use a product and break out in a rash, you can apply either Milk of Magnesia or cold plain yogurt to the affected area. Leave on 15 minutes, rinse and repeat every three hours.

What’s the #1 ingredient most likely to cause an allergic reaction? Synthetic fragrance. At Renée Rouleau, we don’t use any artificial perfumes in any of our products. Here’s a list of ingredients that we use and avoid in all of our products.

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Information courtesy of www.ReneeRouleau.com, a website with skin care tips, products based on nine skin types and advice from skin care expert and celebrity esthetician, Renée Rouleau.