Does skin need to adjust to new products?
Question
Does skin need to "adjust" to new skincare products, particularly on the face? How can one differentiate between the skin building tolerance to potent active ingredients (like experiencing temporary purging, mild redness, dryness, or peeling) and experiencing true irritation or an allergic reaction (persistent redness, itching, burning, rash, or worsening breakouts)? What is the recommended approach for introducing new products, including patch testing, and monitoring skin response?
Answer
Subject: Does skin need to adjust to new products?
It's a great question whether skin needs to "adjust" to new skincare products, especially on the face. The answer is nuanced, as the staff reply correctly pointed out. "Adjustment" can mean different things:
Building Tolerance to Active Ingredients: Some products, particularly those containing potent active ingredients like retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, or certain forms of Vitamin C, can cause initial reactions as the skin adapts. This might include mild redness, dryness, peeling, or a temporary increase in breakouts (often called "purging"). This type of adjustment is relatively common and usually subsides within a few weeks (typically 2-6 weeks) as the skin builds tolerance. Starting with lower concentrations or using the product less frequently can help manage this phase.
Irritation or Allergic Reaction: This is different from building tolerance and is not something the skin will simply "adjust" to in a positive way. If a product causes persistent redness, itching, burning, stinging, a rash, or significant, worsening breakouts that don't fit the pattern of typical purging, it's likely irritation or an allergic reaction. In these cases, the skin is reacting negatively, and continued use will likely worsen the condition. You should stop using the product immediately.
How to Observe Your Skin:
- Introduce products one at a time: This makes it easier to identify which product is causing a reaction if one occurs.
- Patch test: If you're concerned about sensitivity, try applying a small amount of the new product to a discreet area (like behind the ear or on the jawline) for a few days before applying it to your entire face.
- Monitor changes: Pay attention to how your skin looks and feels daily. Note any redness, itching, dryness, breakouts, or improvements.
In summary: Mild, temporary effects like slight redness or purging when starting potent actives can be a sign of the skin adjusting and building tolerance, which usually resolves within a few weeks. However, persistent or severe symptoms like significant itching, burning, rash, or worsening irritation are signs of a negative reaction (irritation or allergy) and require you to stop using the product. Skin does not "adjust" to being irritated or allergic; it simply reacts negatively.