Guide
How do I try a new skincare product on a small area before using it everywhere?
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests applying it to a quarter-sized spot on your inner arm or elbow bend twice a day for 7 to 10 days. If no redness, itching or swelling appears in that time, you can start using it.
Where and for how long
Choose a quarter-sized spot where the product will not be rubbed or washed away, such as the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow. Apply it twice a day for seven to 10 days, using your usual amount and thickness. Leave it on as long as you normally would; for cleansers and other rinse-off products, about five minutes or as the label says.
Reading the result
If the spot stays free of redness, itching and swelling for the whole window, the AAD considers it reasonable to start using the product. Some ingredients, such as retinol and glycolic acid, can cause temporary irritation, and a product sold as unscented or botanical may still contain fragrance-related ingredients. A calm week is useful information, not proof the product suits you.
If your skin reacts
Gently wash the product off and do not use it again; a cool compress or a little petroleum jelly may help the area feel better. This home check is not the medical patch test a dermatologist can arrange. If a reaction is severe or does not settle, see a dermatologist rather than trying another product on the same spot.
Try this
- Test one new product at a time on your inner arm.
- Use your normal amount, twice a day, for 7 to 10 days.
- Wash it off and stop at the first redness, itching or swelling.
A common mistake
Testing for only a day or two, when the suggested window is seven to 10 days of twice-daily use.