Irritants to watch: patch testing for sensitive skin
A simple, low-stress method to test new products and avoid the ‘everything burned’ spiral.
When skin is reactive, adding a new product can feel risky. Patch testing reduces the odds of a full-face flare.
Common irritation culprits
- Fragrance (including essential oils)
- Strong acids or high-percentage actives
- Harsh surfactants/cleansers
- Frequent exfoliation
The calm patch-test method
- Apply a pea-sized amount to a small area once daily for 3 days.
- If tolerated, try half-face for 2 days.
- Only then add it into your routine.
If you flare, step back to a minimal routine until stable.
Educational content only — not medical advice.
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