Before trying it: read the label on the bottle you bought
Identify the cosmetic's purpose, precautions, ingredient list, and period of use. The DGCCRF notes that this information appears on the product or its packaging. The open-jar symbol indicates the period after opening: remember to note when you opened the bottle.
The INCI list uses standardized ingredient names. Keep the list for the exact variant you own: an advertising photo or the brand name alone is not enough. If you have a known allergy and do not know how to identify the substance involved, seek advice before trying the product.
Read the official source ↗Where and for how long should you try the product?
For an everyday cosmetic, the AAD suggests a small, discreet area of the arm or elbow crease. Use the usual amount twice a day for seven to ten days, while following the manufacturer's precautions. This guidance does not justify using it more often than the label directs.
A cleanser is still a rinse-off product: follow its contact time and rinsing instructions. Do not leave it on overnight like a cream. Watch for redness, itching, or swelling in particular. If a reaction occurs, gently remove the product and stop using it; seek medical advice if the reaction is significant or persists.
Read the official source ↗Is trying a product at home an allergy test?
No. Trying a cosmetic lets you observe how you tolerate the product under the conditions you choose. Professional patch testing, by contrast, looks for allergies to specific substances, with several readings. The AAD describes this process when the cause of a skin reaction needs to be investigated.
A reaction-free area does not guarantee tolerance across your whole face or with every future use. If you have already reacted to this product, do not try it again to “confirm” an allergy: instead, bring its name and packaging to the professional you consult.
Read the official source ↗“Fragrance-free” and “unscented”: what is the difference?
The AAD distinguishes “fragrance-free” from “unscented”: the latter may still contain fragrance-related ingredients. Plant extracts can also introduce them. Neither label guarantees your individual tolerance.
If you have a known allergy, its exact name matters. Poiréa does not turn a partial ingredient list into a guarantee: when the catalog cannot verify your allergy, the service pauses recommendations.
Read the official source ↗Write a useful observation
On paper or in your journal, note the date, area, product, conditions of use, and how your skin feels. A fictional example: “September 10, elbow crease, new cleanser rinsed as directed on the label, no tightness this evening.” Add later observations without replacing earlier ones. This describes what you noticed, not what caused a reaction.
The service's comfort chart represents only the observations you enter. It does not measure clinical improvement or a product's effectiveness. Two entries made close together do not replace professional follow-up.
Know when to pause automatic selection
A prescribed treatment, an unusual lesion, pain, or persistent irritation should not be managed by adding cosmetics at random. The questionnaire includes precautionary filters to guide the next steps.
You can delete your answers and journal from your account at any time. Your skin does not need to become a permanent record for you to think about your routine.
- Check the bottle's ingredients, precautions, and period of use.
- Prepare a small trial area, following the instructions and rinsing directions.
- Note the conditions and how your skin feels, without drawing a diagnosis.
- Stop using the product if a reaction occurs and seek advice if needed.
The pace of introducing products depends on your skin and the product's precautions, not the length of a subscription.
Sources for this guide
- AAD — Trying a new skincare product ↗
- AAD — What is patch testing for? ↗
- DGCCRF — Understanding cosmetic labels ↗
Sources accessed on . No products are sold on this page. If you experience pain, an unusual skin lesion or persistent irritation, consult a healthcare professional.
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