If a skin care product makes your skin worse at first – should you keep using it?

You may have heard that some skin products might make your skin worse before they start “working.”

Not true – according to Dermatologist Neal B. Schultz, author of “It’s Not Just About Wrinkles.” There really shouldn’t be any adverse effect from a new product. He says to pay attention to how your skin feels right after you apply the product. If it’s not right for you, you’ll usually FEEL that there is a problem before you see it. A tingling or prickling sensation that doesn’t go away within a minute or so probably means it’s not right. Wash it off immediately and don’t use it again. If there is a rash or irritation the next day, the same rule should apply. It’s probably not right for you and you should stop using it. If it’s a prescription, check the area before the next application and let your doctor know if you’re having any type of reaction.

If you have no reaction to a product – and it doesn’t seem to be helping, Dr. Schultz says be patient. Some products for conditions such as acne take a week or two to start working.