When a package of new skincare products arrives on your doorstep, it can be tempting to try out everything right away. But introducing too many new products at once can lead to irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin. Our advice: go slow. Here are 6 steps you can take to add new products and build a skincare routine for sensitive skin.
1. Determine how your new product supports your goals and fits into your routine.
Skincare goals are personal: you may be hoping to add more moisture to your skin, restore healthy pH, balance your skin microbiome, or tackle common skin concerns. Remember that building healthy skin takes time, so it’s important to set realistic expectations. It’s also helpful to consider the best way to integrate your new product into your existing sensitive skin routine. Skincare routines are generally built around cleansing, toning, hydration, moisturizing, and sun protection. How does your product fit into these practices? How often do you plan to use it? Is it part of your morning skincare routine or nighttime skincare routine? Following recommended usage guidelines can help you get the most out of your product.
2. Get to know your product’s ingredients.
Check out the ingredients in your new product and determine if there’s anything in it that you’re allergic to, or that might irritate your skin. Fragrances and drying alcohols can be irritating to sensitive skin, and active ingredients like retinoids and chemical exfoliants can be harsh and drying. If you’re using products with active ingredients, you can balance your routine by integrating a nourishing moisturizer and a gentle facial cleanser for sensitive skin. If you have questions about the ingredients in your product, you can always consult your dermatologist or primary care provider, or a skincare expert like an esthetician.
3. Introduce one product at a time.
Adding multiple products at once makes it hard to determine whether they’re working—or if they’re causing any adverse reactions. That’s why skincare experts recommend introducing one product at a time. Try using your new product consistently for 2 or 3 weeks before adding anything else. That way you can monitor any changes, and your skin will have time to adjust. If you experience any adverse reactions, contact your healthcare provider and discontinue use if necessary.
4. Patch test new products before applying them to your face.
Ready to rub your new product all over your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks? Wait! Some products can cause irritation or an allergic reaction, particularly in people with sensitive skin. To reduce the risk of an adverse reaction, patch test new products on your body before applying them to your face. Apply a small amount of product to the skin on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear, then wait 24 hours and see if your skin reacts. If your skin stays comfortable, you can try the product on your face.
5. Monitor your skin for reactions or changes
Pay attention to changes in your skin in the days and weeks after you introduce a new product. If you experience itching, burning, hives, irritation, flakiness, a rash, or any other adverse skin reaction, contact your healthcare provider. They can diagnose what’s going on with your skin and help you determine if you have an allergy or a sensitivity to any of the ingredients in your products.
6. Stay consistent
Healthy skin doesn’t happen overnight–it takes time for products to work and for your skin to respond. That’s why consistency is key. Stick to a regular routine, be patient, and notice how your skin evolves over time.
Add Gladskin to your routine
Interested in microbiome-friendly skincare essentials? Trying to find the right cleanser or moisturizer for sensitive skin? Gladskin products foster skin health and are formulated with as few ingredients as possible. Learn more.