Many people do skincare routines with different products, but they sometimes experience side effects afterward, including skin irritation and rashes. These are allergic reactions, which can be stressful, especially if you have sensitive skin. However, you can avoid them by conducting a patch test (applying a new product to a small area of your skin to test if it works for you).
Here’s how to do a patch test for a cleanser:
- Choose a clear patch of your skin to test.
- Wet the area with lukewarm water.
- Apply a small amount of cleanser and massage the area.
- Rinse off with lukewarm water and dry the area.
- Inspect the skin patch for any reactions.
- Do a professional patch test method.
Before introducing a new cleanser to your skincare routine, it’s advisable to perform the above procedure. It’s a simple yet effective method to determine if the product suits your skin type. This article will describe how to do a patch test for a cleanser in detail, so keep reading.
1. Choose a Clear Patch of Your Skin To Test
Before conducting the patch test, identify the best part of your body to apply the cleanser. Since body parts have varying skin thicknesses, a product may react differently in each area.
Now, you might wonder what’s the best part to apply your cleanser.
Well, a cleanser is a facial skin care product; hence, an area close to the face would be the ideal spot to do your patch test. Your jawline, neck, or back ear are preferable parts to perform the procedure. The skin on these areas is thin like your face, and they’ll most likely have the same reactions if any.
Moreover, the parts are less visible. So, if an allergic reaction occurs, it won’t be too noticeable.
When identifying the ideal part of your body to do the patch test for your cleanser, your skin condition is another factor worth considering.
For instance, if there are some cuts or your skin has rashes, you’ll get false results after applying the cleanser to these areas. In such a case, you can experience irritations or redness even if the product isn’t bad for your skin.
Moreover, the pain can be severe due to the chemical reaction between the product and the already-damaged skin. Therefore, make sure that your selected body part is devoid of cuts or rashes before applying the new skincare product.
2. Wet the Area With Lukewarm Water
Most skincare brands include instructions on how to use their product. Therefore, it’s advisable to read those instructions before performing the test to know whether you’ll apply the cleanser on wet or dry skin. However, most cleansers will require you to apply them to wet skin.
The patch test procedure is similar to what you’d do when cleansing your face. So, you’ll just follow the steps in your routine. The only difference is that you’ll apply the cleanser on another small area instead of on your face.
Now, before doing that, ensure your hands are clean, as well as the skin patch where you’ll carry out the test. Doing this is important because you want to ascertain that whatever reaction occurs is because of the cleanser and not something else.
After washing your hands, wet the patch you’ll be testing with lukewarm water. Lukewarm water is preferable as it opens your skin pores for the cleanser to penetrate evenly.
3. Apply a Small Amount of Cleanser and Massage the Area
After wetting the patch with lukewarm water, the next step is to apply a small amount of the cleanser to the area. Squeeze some cleanser on your index finger. Then, massage it gently on the area for about ten seconds.
As mentioned earlier, manufacturers usually include instructions on using their products. Therefore, the duration you’ll let the cleanser remain on your skin depends on the type of cleanser you are using. Moreover, your skin type also determines the ideal cleanser to use.
Here are the three types of cleansers you can use for the patch test:
- Gel cleansers: these cleansers have a gel-like consistency, are deep-penetrating, and are best for acne-prone or oily skin.
- Cream cleansers: they’re thicker and moisturizing. They’re ideal for dry and sensitive skin types.
- Foam cleansers: they produce foamy lather when applied to the skin. Foamy cleansers are also lightweight and suitable for combination skin.
4. Rinse Off With Lukewarm Water and Dry the Area
After the recommended duration has elapsed, rinse off the cleanser and dry the skin patch. Here are the steps on how to rinse it off:
- Wash the cleanser off your skin gently using lukewarm water and your fingers. You can use a wet towel, but ensure that you’ve wiped off all the cleanser.
- Pat dry the area with a soft towel gently.
- Leave it to dry for approximately 24 hours.
5. Inspect the Skin Patch for Any Reactions
After rinsing off the cleanser, it’s time to check whether any skin reaction has occurred. You can wait up to 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs.
If there’s no skin reaction, repeat the whole patch test procedure for two consecutive days. Different people’s skins react differently; a reaction may occur instantly, after a day, or take several days. That’s why you need to carry out the patch test for a few more days if you don’t notice any change in your skin.
If you notice any skin irritations, the cleanser may not suit your skin; therefore, it’s better not to use it. However, if there’s no skin irritation or reaction, then you’re in the clear and can go on to use the cleanser.
6. Do a Professional Patch Test Method
A home-based procedure is an effective procedure to know if a cleanser is suitable for your skin. However, if you have sensitive skin or underlying skin conditions, a medical patch test is the best option. It’s a diagnostic procedure by a dermatologist or specialist to identify any allergens on the product.
Dermatologists usually carry out these tests to investigate if you could be having skin conditions, such as contact dermatitis.
The specialist will identify the product’s ingredients in this procedure, including some metals, topical antibiotics, and fragrances that your skin may be allergic to.
Professional patch testing is different from home testing, and it occurs in three (or four) appointments. The dermatologist will first examine your face physically to identify any visible skin conditions.
Let me explain how a professional patch test works.
The dermatologist applies the cleanser on your skin using special small discs with a diameter of about 1 cm (0.39 in). They then place the discs on your back. Hypoallergenic tape comes in handy for the disc to attach to your skin. The tape is ideal for sensitive skin types and has a soft cloth to prevent pain when removing it.
Now, the test will last for two hours, and the cleanser on the discs will remain on your back until the next appointment.
The doctor will remove the discs from your back on the second day and note any reaction (or irritation). Then, they’ll add more patches which will be removed on the last appointment. During your third appointment, the specialist will examine the reactions on your skin and grade them depending on their intensity.
If the reactions are severe, for instance, the skin appears red, bumpy, and splotchy, you shouldn’t use the cleanser on your face. However, when there’s no skin reaction, that gives you the go-ahead to use the cleanser.
Conclusion
Most people ignore patch testing new skincare products. However, it’s advisable to perform this test if you’ve bought a new cleanser. It’ll help you determine whether the product is ideal for your skin type or not.
Performing a skin test will also help you avoid any potential severe allergic reactions.
Sources
- NCBI: Patch Tests
- Neostrata: What Is A Facial Cleanser & Its Benefits
- Mayo Clinic: Contact Dermatitis
- Greatist: Why You Should Patch Test Your Skincare Products (and Other Things)
- YouTube: How to Patch Test a Salicylic Cleanser & How to use a Salicylic Cleanser on Face
- Facetory: How to Patch Test a Product
- Seoul Mamas: How to Patch Test a Cosmetic or Skin Care Product
- Amazon: Hypoallergenic Skin Tape
- Chemist 4u: Everything You Need to Know about Patch Testing
