What should I do if a product breaks me out?

Immediate Answer: Stop use immediately. It's either an allergic reaction, irritation from active ingredient concentration, or the product is breaking you out through comedogenic ingredients. Clarify which by eliminating the product, waiting 1 week, then assessing.

The Science: Breakouts from skincare have three causes:

1. Allergic reaction: Immediate reaction (within hours) to specific ingredient. Stop use, the breakout resolves in 1-3 days.

2. Irritation: Active ingredient concentration too high or use too frequent. Stop use for 3-7 days, reintroduce at lower frequency. Skin improves as you decrease active exposure.

3. Comedogenic ingredients: Product is clogging pores (usually occurs over 2+ weeks). If breakout worsens after week 2, product is likely triggering acne. Stop use and switch to different product.

4. Product pH too high: Products formulated at too high a pH can disrupt your skin's naturally acidic environment (pH 4.5–5.5), making pores more susceptible to bacterial invasion and breakouts. This is an underappreciated cause—particularly relevant when using products not formulated for proper skin pH.

How to troubleshoot:

• Stop product immediately
• Use only gentle cleanser + lightweight moisturiser for 1 week
• If breakout resolves: product was the culprit
• Reintroduce product at lower frequency or concentration
• If breakout recurs: product isn't compatible with your skin

How Nordic Formula Helps: If a Nordic Formula product breaks you out:

1. Discontinue use (don't power through—your skin is signaling incompatibility)
2. Use a gentle, mild cleanser twice daily + lightweight moisturiser
3. Wait 1 week for skin to clear
4. Contact Nordic Formula support with product name and reaction details
5. If you still want to address your concern, try lower concentrations or a gentler formulation

Pro Tip: Not every product works for every skin type. Breakouts aren't failure—they're your skin telling you the product isn't right for you. Try different actives, concentrations, or brands without shame.