How-to guide

How to Check a Product Is Right for You Before You Buy

A two-minute check in the shop or online can save you a flare and a wasted purchase. Here's a simple routine for vetting any product.

The two-minute vet

You do not need to analyse every ingredient. You need a quick, repeatable check that catches the things that matter for your skin.

The method

  1. Scan for fragrance: look for Fragrance, Parfum or Aroma, then glance at the end of the list for named allergens like Limonene and Linalool.
  2. Check your own triggers: compare the list against the specific ingredients you know you react to.
  3. Read the claims carefully: choose “fragrance-free” over “unscented”, and remember “natural” does not mean non-allergenic.
  4. When in doubt, skip it. A product you cannot read, or that contains a known trigger, is not worth the risk.

Make it a two-second check

Reading every label by eye is the slow part, especially in a busy shop. ClearaScan stores your triggers once and flags them on any product you scan, and it keeps a Reaction Journal, a shared Care Circle so others can scan for you, and a Trusted Products list. (We co-founded ClearaScan and are not paid to mention it.)

More how-to guides

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How to Decode a Confusing Ingredient Name

INCI names look like chemistry homework. Here's how to work out what an ingredient actually is, and whether it's one of your triggers.

How to Introduce a New Product Without Triggering a Flare

Adding products one at a time is the simplest way to protect reactive skin and pinpoint problems. Here's the safe way to do it.

How to Patch-Test a New Skincare Product at Home

A simple at-home patch test can catch a reaction before it reaches your face. Here's how to do one properly, and what it can and can't tell you.

A note on this content. The Sensitive Skin Lab publishes general educational information, not medical advice. If you suspect you have an allergy or sensitivity, consult a qualified dermatologist or allergist. Product formulations and labels change without notice, so always check the ingredients on the product itself.