How to Perform a Patch Test for Skin Care Products:

The Natural Chemist recommends conducting a patch-test on any new skin care product before use, to determine your sensitivity to it.  This is especially critical if you are on a number of different medications and/or have a history of allergic reactions, eczema etc.  A patch test will identify whether any of the substances in the product will cause inflammation or irritation of the skin.

To do a patch test:

• Take a small amount of the product you plan to use.
• Apply it on the inside of your forearm or wrist and leave uncovered for 24 hours. This area should not be washed during this time.
• If at any point the skin becomes red, itchy, inflamed or develops blisters, wash the area immediately with water and avoid further exposure to the product. 
• If the product you used has more than one ingredient, it will be difficult to narrow it down to the item(s) that caused the reaction. However, make note of what it contains so that you can determine and/or avoid future exposure to the reactive substance.
• Please note that allergies can develop at any point after initial exposure. The absence of a reaction does not necessarily mean that sensitivity will not develop with subsequent exposures. This is true of both orally ingested medications, as well as topically applied products.