Patch Testing and Potential Reactions

Lyonsleaf products are formulated with sensitive skin in mind, and reactions are very rare. Because our products are water-free, we don't need the antimicrobial preservatives found in most conventional cosmetics, and preservatives are one of the most common causes of reactions to skincare generally. But no ingredient, however natural, is entirely hypoallergenic, everyone's skin is different, and patch testing is a simple way to find out how your skin responds before you commit to using something more widely.

If you are unfortunate enough to develop Topical Steroid Withdrawal you may react to all sorts of ingredients that you never reacted to before, and that are generally not reactive. You may also find that you are fine with a product one week and not the next.

How to Patch Test

Apply a small amount of the product to an inconspicuous area of skin, the inside of your forearm or behind your ear both work well.
Leave it undisturbed, don't wash the area or cover it with clothing that will rub it off.
Check back after 24 hours, and again after 48 hours. Some reactions take a day or two to show.
If your skin looks and feels normal after 48 hours, it's reasonable to try the product on the area you actually want to use it on.

This matters more the more sensitive or compromised your skin is, and it's always worth doing again for a new product, even one from a brand you already know and trust.

What to Look Out For

A genuine reaction usually means redness, itching, swelling, small bumps or blistering at the test site. This is different from a brief tingle or warmth on application, which some natural ingredients can cause without it meaning anything's wrong, though if that sensation doesn't settle within a few minutes, treat it the same as any other reaction and stop.

Common Causes of Reactions

Reactions can come from almost any ingredient, but some are more likely culprits than others:

Fragrance is one of the most common causes of skin reactions in cosmetics. In our own experience and from customer feedback, this is far more often an issue with synthetic fragrance than with the natural essential oils we use, but essential oils are still active plant compounds, and can occasionally cause a reaction. Our fragrance-free products are the best choice if you're prone to reacting to scented products generally.
Calendula, used across much of our range, can occasionally cause a reaction in people with what's known as sesquiterpene lactone intolerance, an allergy to a compound found across the daisy family, which includes yarrow, arnica and chamomile as well as calendula. Having a reaction to one doesn't mean you'll necessarily react to all of them, but it's a reasonable flag to patch test the others too. Topically applied Sunflower oil is unlikely to trigger a reaction, although sunflowers are daisies, the sesquiterpene lactone compounds are not prolific in the seeds.
Any other named ingredient. If you have a known allergy or sensitivity, always check the full ingredients list on the product page before use, not just the product name or description.

If You Do React

Stop using the product and wash the area gently with cool water. Most reactions are mild and settle on their own once the product is removed.

Serious allergic reactions, involving swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing, can occur with cosmetic products, although we're glad to say none have ever been reported to us relating to Lyonsleaf products. If this happens to you, treat it as a medical emergency and seek help immediately.

Whatever the reaction, please also contact us directly. We take every report seriously, we're required to inform the relevant regulator of any serious reaction. If it turns out you have reacted to one of our products, we'll give you a full refund.

If your skin is already broken or compromised, or you're using a product on an infant, see our Using Unpreserved Skincare on Broken Skin page for the additional care needed.