What should I do if a new product irritates my face?

Should I wash off a product that irritates my skin?

1. 1Gently wash the product off as soon as you notice the reaction. Use water to remove any residue without scrubbing.
2. 2Stop using the product. Do not apply it again to see whether the reaction returns.
3. 3Avoid scratching the rash, because scratching can make it worse and can lead to infection.

How do I soothe irritation from skincare?

Hold a clean, cool, damp towel on the area for ten to fifteen minutes, a few times a day. Petroleum jelly can also help. After washing, apply a fragrance free moisturizer while the skin is still damp; test it on a small area before using it widely. Reapply during the day if the skin feels dry. The face does not always file its complaint while the product is still in the room: a reaction can appear hours or days after contact.123

What might the reaction look like, and how long can it last?

Contact dermatitis is a rash triggered by something touching the skin. It can cause itching, blisters, dry or cracked skin, and a reaction may appear hours or days after contact. Redness can look different across skin tones: lighter skin may look red, while darker skin may look dark brown, purple, or grey. Even after you stop using the product, a rash can take weeks to clear.24

When should I get medical help?

Get medical advice if symptoms are severe, persist, or keep returning. Seek care for tenderness, warmth, redness, or fever, which can be signs of infection. If a severe reaction does not ease with a cool compress or petroleum jelly, a dermatologist can help. Trouble breathing or swelling that affects your airway needs emergency care.1245

When can I use the product again?

Do not use the product again after it causes a reaction. If you want to identify the cause, a board certified dermatologist can help; patch testing may be needed. Some people develop a cosmetic allergy after years of using the same product.15

How can I test another new product?

1. 1Choose a quarter sized patch on the underside of your arm or inside your elbow, where the product will not be rubbed or washed away.
2. 2Apply the usual amount twice a day for seven to ten days. Leave it on for the usual amount of time. For a cleanser, keep it on for five minutes or follow the label directions.
3. 3If you have no reaction after seven to ten days, you can start using that product. Do not use this test to retry the product that caused your reaction.

If the cause is unclear, keep the product packaging and note what you used and when. Fragrance is a common cause of contact allergy, and preservatives can also trigger cosmetic reactions. Unscented is not always fragrance free, a distinction the label manages to make sound more settled than it is.5