What to do with sensitive skin?
This symptom may not appear immediately after using a product, but small bumps or red rashes may appear 1–2 days after use. If this happens, stop using it immediately, as it indicates that the skin has developed an allergic reaction or irritation from certain ingredients in the product.
This may be caused by 2 reasons:
- Natural shedding of hair cells or skin cells. If it is natural cell shedding, it is harmless, but the peeling and increased hair fall should be brief and the amount should not be abnormally excessive.
- Allergy to certain chemicals in the product causes irritation from harsh chemicals. In most cases, these allergic reactions come from products that contain chemical additives, causing excessive peeling, leaving red marks, or abnormally increased hair fall.
Some chemical ingredients act aggressively and cause acute skin irritation. If the burning sensation goes away within 10 minutes and leaves no redness, it is considered normal and the product can still be used. However, if the burning worsens, stop using that product immediately.
Some chemical ingredients act aggressively and cause acute skin irritation. If the burning sensation goes away within 10 minutes and leaves no redness, it is considered normal and the product can still be used. However, if the burning worsens, stop using that product immediately.
Check whether there are any ingredients you are allergic to, or any harsh chemical ingredients. Substances likely to cause allergic reactions include fragrances, steroids, SLS in cleansing products, parabens, Retinol, or Glycolic Acid in moisturizers, etc.
- The pH value that is gentle on skin should be around 4.5–7. Products that are highly acidic (pH 1–3) or highly alkaline (pH > 8) will make the skin easily irritated.
- Check the manufacturing date and expiry date. Avoid products that have expired or are close to expiry, as the ingredients will have changed and may no longer be suitable for your skin. (If you can't use it up in time, don't feel bad about discarding it.)
- Manufactured under safe production processes, certified by the FDA or registered with the Ministry of Public Health.
Try applying the product behind the ear, under the forearm, or at the inner elbow to test for allergic reactions before use. Normally, we tend to try testers on the back of the hand or forearm, which are areas where the epidermis is thicker and may not show irritation. However, the skin on the face and scalp is more sensitive than other parts of the body, so irritation can occur more easily. Therefore, we must conduct a patch test by applying on sensitive areas such as behind the ear or under the forearm, leaving it for 30 minutes. If there is no allergic reaction, you can purchase and use the product.
