How to Avoid an Allergic Reaction When Using New Skin Care Products

Our local dermatologist in Wilsonville knows that beauty products offer a simply, yet effective option for helping our patients look and feel their best. Yet, if you have noticed that applying some beauty products causes skin reactions – such as allergies, rashes, or irritation – you may need to stay away from certain types of ingredients. So that you can keep your skin looking and feeling its best, here are a few tips that will help you avoid any unwanted irritation.

Five Tips You Should Know

To avoid any type of negative reaction, you should take the time to follow a few simple procedures:

• Look over the label. Check to see how many ingredients a product contains and go with the brand that has the fewest. The less ingredients in a product, the lower your chance for an allergic reaction becomes.
• Patch test before fully applying. Even if you don’t usually experience any kind of outbreak or negative reaction, it’s always a good idea to apply a small amount when using a new product before applying all over your skin. To properly test, apply a small amount to the inside of your elbow or just above the wrist and wait between two to three days. If you don’t notice any adverse effects like itching, redness, or swelling, you should be good to go.
• Stay savvy when spritzing. Fragrances don’t need to be applied directly to your skin to work. In fact, you’re more likely to enjoy the benefits of a particular fragrance if you apply it to your clothing rather than your body. Not only will this help to reduce any risk of an allergic reaction, your fragrance will last longer when you don’t have to worry about sweating it away.
• Know thyself. Products labeled “hypoallergenic” or “dermatologist approved” don’t offer an easy fix for reducing allergic reactions. We all have different skin types, and some will react negatively, even to products designed to prevent irritation. How a product is marketed matters less than how you know your skin will react.
• Self-care is key. If you do suffer an adverse reaction to a beauty product, stop using it immediately and take the time needed to fully recover. Hydrocortisone creams can help ease any itching or inflammation, as well as some forms of prescription-strength creams.

The Most Common Skin Care Reactions

Now that you know what to look for before adding a new beauty product to your daily routine, let’s take a look at some of the most common negative skin reactions our local dermatologist in Wilsonville sees in patients.

• Irritation. Commonly referred to as irritant contact dermatitis by our local dermatologist in Wilsonville, irritation ranks as the most common skin care reaction patients have when using a new product. ICD is marked by itchy, stingy, and burning sensations, or when areas of the skin become red and swollen.
• Skin allergies. Also referred to as allergic contact dermatitis, a true allergy or sensitivity to a certain ingredient or product causes itching, swelling, redness, and even blisters to develop on the skin. Frequently, fragrances are the most common culprit behind this type of negative reaction.

Which Products Pose the Biggest Risk

As mentioned earlier, everyone’s skin reacts differently, so suspect products will vary from person-to-person. However, there are a few types of products we see as causing more problems than others, that include:

• Nail polish
• Shampoo
• Moisturizers
• Eye makeup
• Detergents
• Antiperspirants
• Permanent wave hair lotion

 

If you have any questions about the types of products most likely to give you a rash or want more information on how to properly test a product before wearing it out, talk to our local dermatologist in Wilsonville during your next appointment to Valley View Dermatology.