A woman has divulged her “one day rule” for testing new skincare products, a strategy that helps her determine if she’ll suffer from acne or breakouts. Navigating the world of skincare can be tricky as what benefits one individual might not suit another.
The internet, especially social media platforms like TikTok, is filled with tales, tips, and tricks from beauty enthusiasts and experts alike, all eager to share their insights.
TikTok influencer Natalie O’Neill, who boasts a following of 742.5K, frequently posts about her top beauty and skincare picks. In a recent upload, she explained a “rule” she follows that has helped her sidestep unwanted skin reactions.
Addressing her audience, Natalie remarked: “Someone commented the other day that ‘dermatologists say spots take 90 days to form so you can’t have a breakout from a product overnight’. Let me tell you, I can have a breakout from a product in six hours.”
She then gave viewers a close-up view of her cheek, pointing out a small cluster of blemishes that appeared after using a serum earlier that day. Natalie added: “Then I took my makeup off and I could already see at the end of the day that new [spots] were forming. I’m not saying this is a bad breakout but can you imagine what would have happened if I’d applied it to my whole face?”
“I only ever test new products on one side of my face. Can you imagine if I hadn’t applied the one day testing rule where I just test it for a day and see what happens?”.
“I would’ve had a way worse breakout and that’s exactly what I used to have before I started ignoring these stupid rules that don’t make any sense and just seeing for myself. So, if you get breakouts easily buying new products; I recommend just applying it to one side of your face for one day, leaving it a few days and seeing what happens.
“You might even find a breakout at the end of the same day you applied it – which is a lot sooner than I was expecting. It isn’t the first time that happened to me.”
People shared their thoughts in the comments section. One frustrated TikTok user said: “I’m so done with figuring out a skin care routine, my skin is so reactive”.
Another joked: “Sometimes I break out just looking at a product”, while a third said: “As a dermatologist with acne-prone skin I can also experience the same thing”.
Whenever trying new products, it’s wise to conduct a patch test. Apply a small amount of the product to an area like the inner bend of your elbow or your wrist, and leave it on for 24 hours to check for allergies or sensitivities.
If you experience a negative reaction, like itchiness, burning, or your skin becomes flaky, be sure to stop using the product.