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.

The single most useful habit

Most “my skin suddenly reacted” stories come from changing several things at once. Introduce one product at a time and you keep both your skin and your detective work under control.

The method

1. Start one new product at a time, never two.
2. Patch test on the inner forearm for 5 to 7 days first (reactions can be delayed).
3. Start low and slow: every other day to begin with, particularly for acids or retinoids.
4. Wait about a week before introducing the next product, so any flare points at the right culprit.

Check it before it goes near your skin

Before you even buy, it helps to rule out anything containing a known trigger. ClearaScan flags your saved triggers on any product you scan, and 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.)