10 Harmful Face Serum Ingredients to Avoid (Science-Backed)

QUICK SUMMARY

Ingredients to avoid in face serums are not always obvious from the front of the bottle. Some concerns involve the ingredient itself, while others involve fragrance disclosure, manufacturing contaminants, oxidation, overly aggressive concentrations, or a formula that simply does not suit your skin.

Our top concerns include formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, synthetic fragrance, unnecessary phthalate exposure, poorly controlled ethoxylated ingredients that can carry 1,4-dioxane contamination, and harsh formulas that repeatedly leave the skin red, tight, peeling, or inflamed. We also choose to minimize parabens as part of our non-toxic lifestyle, while being accurate that FDA currently says it does not have evidence showing parabens as used in cosmetics harm human health.

Your skin is a selective protective barrier, not a sponge that absorbs everything you put on it. Some substances remain primarily on the surface, some enter the epidermis or dermis, and some can reach systemic circulation depending on molecular size, dose, formulation, skin condition, and other factors. That is why ingredient choice matters without needing fear-based claims.

The goal is not a complicated 12-step routine. It is to protect the skin barrier, reduce unnecessary exposure, choose products that match your skin, and use simple botanical ingredients wisely. Below, we break down 10 serum ingredients and formulation red flags, explain what current research actually says, share our protected DIY barrier-support serum recipe, and show you the non-toxic face serum option we reach for when we do not want to DIY.

The link between modern dermatology and the way God designed our bodies has stirred debate for years, and for good reason. People want to know whether “clean beauty” is just a marketing trend, or if botanical remedies and the science of skin health connect in a meaningful way to the stewardship of our bodies.

What draws so many of us in is the continuity. Generations before us turned to resins, pressed oils, herbs, and botanicals for cleansing, comfort, worship, and wellness. It is deeply grounding to remember that God built remarkable chemistry into creation long before any modern beauty laboratory existed.

And that is the heart of it. God provided us with a body designed for health and resilience. When the Creator gives us tools for wellness, we receive them with gratitude and use them with wisdom.

That does not mean every laboratory-made ingredient is automatically harmful or every botanical is automatically safe. Poison ivy is natural. Essential oils can irritate skin when misused. A well-formulated synthetic ingredient can sometimes be less sensitizing than a natural fragrance blend.

But it also does not mean we should give the beauty industry a free pass simply because something comes in an expensive bottle with words like “clinical,” “advanced,” or “dermatologist tested.”

We prefer a simpler, non-toxic approach: protect the barrier, reduce unnecessary chemical exposure, choose botanicals thoughtfully, and pay attention to what your own skin is telling you.

Marketing Claims vs. Biological Design: Understanding the Conflict

You’ve probably heard the saying, “If it costs more, it must work better.” In the world of high-end face serums, that isn’t always accurate.

The skincare industry is a massive machine built on promises of “advanced” results and “clinical” breakthroughs. But your skin was designed first and foremost as a barrier. The outermost layer of the epidermis, especially the stratum corneum, helps regulate water loss while limiting entry of irritants, allergens, microbes, and environmental exposures. (1)

That barrier is not supposed to be stripped away in pursuit of a temporary glow.

Some serums rely on strong solvents, aggressive acids, retinoids, penetration enhancers, or fragrance systems that can sting, peel, dry, or sensitize susceptible skin. Other formulas are perfectly well tolerated. The issue is not that every conventional serum works by damaging skin. That would be too broad.

The issue is that marketing can encourage us to treat burning, peeling, and chronic redness as proof that a product is “working.”

Sometimes irritation is simply irritation.

True skin health is quieter. It is about nourishment, hydration, appropriate cell turnover, stable barrier function, and a routine you can use consistently without feeling like your face is under attack.

Preservatives also deserve nuance. A water-based serum needs a reliable preservation system because bacteria, yeast, and mold are not safer than a well-chosen preservative. Our goal is not “preservative-free at all costs.” It is to avoid preservatives we do not want while choosing formulas that are both microbiologically safe and compatible with our non-toxic lifestyle.

The plants were the original healers. Modern chemistry can sometimes give us useful tools, too, but no ingredient deserves automatic trust simply because it is natural, synthetic, expensive, or trendy.

Our standard is simpler: does the ingredient serve a real purpose, is it appropriate for the formula, what does the evidence say, and does it support the skin God designed rather than repeatedly disrupting it?

NLF Reader Discount: Try out Annmarie's Clean Beauty Trial 67% off and get a FREE activated night serum when you go to this page here!

10 Ingredients to Avoid in Face Serums: History and Science

You won't find your favorite serum warning you about every tradeoff in its chemical makeup, but there are several compounds and formulation issues we pay special attention to.

A quick clarification before we begin: not all 10 items below are single ingredients. Some are ingredient families, some are manufacturing concerns, and others are formula or skin-barrier red flags.

That distinction matters because good label reading is about more than hunting for one “bad” word.

1. Paraben Preservatives

Have you ever wondered why a water-based serum can sit on a shelf for months without growing mold? Preservatives are the reason, and parabens are one common preservative family.

Parabens such as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben are effective against microbial growth. They also have varying degrees of estrogenic activity in experimental systems, which is why they continue to draw attention in endocrine-disruption research.

That concern is real, but the claim needs to be calibrated.

FDA’s current position, updated in November 2025, is that it does not have information showing that parabens as used in cosmetics have an effect on human health. (2) At the same time, the broader scientific literature continues to examine endocrine, reproductive, and cumulative-exposure questions associated with parabens and other personal-care chemicals. (3)

Our family still chooses to minimize parabens whenever practical. That is a precautionary lifestyle choice, not a claim that one application of a paraben-containing serum has been proven to cause hormonal disease.

Look for: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and other ingredients ending in “-paraben.”

2. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

Ingredients such as DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, and bronopol can release small amounts of formaldehyde as part of their preservative function.

This is one category where the skin-allergy concern is especially well established.

A clinical review in Contact Dermatitis identified formaldehyde and its major releasers as recognized causes of allergic contact dermatitis and noted that reactions can appear on the face, hands, or more broadly. (4)

That does not mean every person who uses a formaldehyde-releasing preservative will react. Sensitization is individual.

For our family, there are enough alternative preservation systems available that we prefer to avoid these ingredients in leave-on facial products.

Look for: DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, bronopol, and related formaldehyde releasers.

3. Phthalates Hidden Behind “Fragrance”

When you see “fragrance” or “parfum,” the label may not disclose every individual fragrance component because fragrance formulas can be protected as trade secrets.

That does not mean every fragrance contains phthalates.

FDA currently reports that diethyl phthalate, or DEP, is the phthalate most commonly associated with cosmetics and fragrance products, and the agency says it does not currently have evidence that phthalates as used in cosmetics pose a safety risk. (5)

Still, personal-care products can contribute to measurable phthalate exposure.

A 2024 human biomonitoring study involving young children found associations between recent use of skin-care products and urinary concentrations of several phthalates or replacement plasticizers. The study measured exposure patterns, not disease outcomes, but it reinforces why ingredient transparency matters. (6)

Some phthalates used in other applications have well-established reproductive and endocrine concerns, so we prefer fragrance-free products or products that fully disclose their scent ingredients rather than assuming the word “fragrance” tells us everything we need to know.

Important correction: It is not accurate to say phthalates are found in “nearly all” scented conventional serums. Formulas change, use has declined, and current labels do not always reveal whether a phthalate is present.

4. Synthetic Fragrance Blends

Synthetic fragrance is one of the first things we remove when helping a family transition toward a non-toxic home.

Fragrance is also a legitimate dermatology concern because fragrance chemicals are common contact allergens. A 2024 review on fragrance contact allergy emphasized the ongoing importance of fragrance sensitization and patch testing in people with suspected allergic contact dermatitis. (7)

For some people, fragranced skincare can trigger itching, redness, eczema, stinging, or other reactions.

We prefer fragrance-free products or thoughtfully formulated products scented with disclosed botanicals and essential oils.

But “essential oil” is not a magic allergy exemption.

Natural fragrance constituents such as linalool and limonene can oxidize and become sensitizing for some people. So essential oils should be properly diluted, stored well, and discontinued if they provoke irritation.

That is the non-toxic principle we want to teach: avoid undisclosed synthetic fragrance while still respecting the potency of concentrated plant chemistry.

Look for: fragrance, parfum, aroma, or proprietary fragrance blends when the company does not clearly disclose what creates the scent.

5. High-Alcohol Formulas That Leave Your Skin Tight and Dry

If a serum feels cooling and evaporates almost immediately, it may contain ethanol, SD alcohol, alcohol denat., or another volatile alcohol.

These alcohols are useful solvents and can improve product feel, delivery, or dry-down time. In some formulations, ethanol can also act as a penetration enhancer.

But the blanket statement that all topical alcohol “dissolves your barrier” is too simplistic.

The effect depends on concentration, frequency, formula, and the condition of your skin. Research on topical ethanol shows that its behavior changes with the vehicle and formulation. Some experimental systems use ethanol specifically to alter penetration, while well-formulated cosmetic products may be tolerated without measurable barrier damage in many users. (8)

Our practical rule is simple: if a high-alcohol serum repeatedly leaves your face tight, burning, flaky, or more reactive, it is probably not the right formula for your skin.

And do not confuse these volatile alcohols with fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, or cetearyl alcohol. Fatty alcohols are commonly used as emollients, thickeners, and stabilizers and behave very differently.

Use extra caution with: alcohol denat., SD alcohol, or ethanol high on the ingredient list when you have very dry, reactive, rosacea-prone, or barrier-damaged skin.

6. PEG Ingredients and 1,4-Dioxane Contamination

Polyethylene glycols, or PEGs, are used as solvents, emulsifiers, surfactants, and texture modifiers.

The concern we watch is not that every PEG molecule is automatically poisonous. It is the possibility of contamination with 1,4-dioxane during ethoxylation.

FDA explains that 1,4-dioxane can form as a manufacturing byproduct in certain ethoxylated ingredients identifiable by terms such as PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, “-eth-,” or “-oxynol-.” (9)

The agency also reports that manufacturing improvements have substantially reduced 1,4-dioxane levels in cosmetics over time and cites international risk assessments finding trace amounts at or below 10 ppm to be within accepted safety limits.

So the accurate concern is manufacturing quality, not “PEG equals toxic.”

When we have a choice, we prefer products that avoid unnecessary ethoxylated ingredients or manufacturers that demonstrate strong contaminant-control practices.

Look for: PEG-, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, laureth-, ceteareth-, steareth-, and related ethoxylated names.

7. Overly Aggressive Retinoids, Acids, and Actives

We often think “more is better” when it comes to vitamin C, retinoids, exfoliating acids, or anti-aging actives.

That mindset can backfire.

Topical retinoids have some of the strongest evidence in dermatology for photoaging and acne, so I would not call retinol or tretinoin inherently “harmful ingredients.” But irritation is a well-known limitation. Redness, peeling, burning, stinging, and dryness can occur, particularly when the concentration, frequency, combination, or starting routine is too aggressive. (10)

The same principle applies to alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and strong vitamin C formulations.

A product can be effective and still be wrong for your skin, wrong for your current barrier condition, or used too often.

If your face is chronically burning and peeling, adding another active is rarely the answer.

Start slowly. Add one active at a time. Give your skin time to respond. And if you prefer botanical alternatives, you do not have to chase the strongest conventional concentration just because social media says you should.

8. Poor Skin-Type Matching

The “one size fits all” approach to skincare is a problem.

A serum made for oily, resilient skin may feel drying on mature or eczema-prone skin. A very rich oil blend may feel heavy on someone who prefers lighter hydration. A formula that works beautifully for your friend may trigger you.

The original article specifically warned that dimethicone “traps bacteria.” I would not repeat that claim.

Dimethicone is a silicone-based occlusive and skin-conditioning ingredient. Its presence on a label does not prove a serum is comedogenic or that it will trap bacteria inside your pores.

We still prefer plant-based oils and waxes in many of our formulations, but that preference does not require us to make an unsupported claim about dimethicone.

Instead, watch your skin:

• Does the formula increase congestion?
• Does it leave your skin dry or tight?
• Does it sting?
• Does it feel too heavy?
• Does it worsen redness or breakouts?

Skin-type matching is not glamorous, but it may matter more than the newest ingredient trend.

9. Oxidized or Poorly Preserved Ingredients

Many serums contain ingredients that degrade with oxygen, heat, or light.

L-ascorbic acid, the active form of vitamin C, is a classic example. Vitamin C is useful in topical skincare, but stability and formulation matter because ascorbic acid can oxidize and lose potency. Current reviews continue to emphasize formulation and chemical stability as major challenges for topical vitamin C. (11)

An oxidized vitamin C serum may darken from clear or pale yellow toward deeper yellow, orange, or brown.

What we should not say is that oxidation automatically means the serum “harbors bacteria.” Oxidation and microbial contamination are different problems.

A water-based serum can become microbially contaminated if its preservation system fails, whether or not its vitamin C has oxidized.

Practical rule: Follow storage instructions, keep caps closed, protect light-sensitive formulas from heat and sun, and discard products that develop unexpected odor, texture, separation, mold, swelling, or other signs of spoilage.

10. Chronic Barrier Disruption

The most important red flag may not be a single ingredient at all.

It is a routine that keeps your skin chronically irritated.

Barrier dysfunction can increase transepidermal water loss, dryness, sensitivity, allergen penetration, and local inflammatory signaling. Healthy skin has self-repair mechanisms, but repeated irritation can keep the stratum corneum from fully recovering. (1, 12)

The original article referred to this as “leaky skin” and said barrier disruption drives systemic inflammation and is the primary cause of premature aging.

That goes too far for ordinary cosmetic irritation.

Severe inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis can have systemic inflammatory features, but we should not tell every person with a dry or irritated face that their serum is causing body-wide inflammation.

The more useful lesson is this: chronic redness, stinging, flaking, tightness, or escalating sensitivity is a sign to simplify.

Pause the aggressive actives. Restore hydration and lipids. Remove new irritants one at a time. Then rebuild your routine slowly.

NLF Reader Discount: Try out Annmarie's Clean Beauty Trial 67% off and get a FREE activated night serum when you go to this page here!

The Science of Skin Absorption: A Design for Protection

The skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum, is often described as a “bricks and mortar” structure. The corneocytes are the bricks, and the surrounding lipid matrix helps form the mortar.

This barrier is remarkably effective, but it is not impermeable.

Whether something penetrates depends on several factors:

• Molecular size
• Oil- or water-solubility
• Concentration and dose
• Vehicle and formulation
• How long it stays on the skin
• Where on the body it is applied
• Skin hydration
• Whether the barrier is healthy, inflamed, wounded, or diseased

The longstanding “500 Dalton rule” is one useful framework: molecules larger than about 500 Da generally have much more difficulty crossing intact stratum corneum, although real-world dermal delivery is more complex than molecular weight alone. (13)

So no, your skin does not absorb everything you put on it.

Some cosmetic ingredients are intended to remain mostly on the surface. Some enter the upper epidermis. Some penetrate deeper. Certain small molecules can be systemically absorbed in measurable amounts.

A compromised barrier can increase permeability to some substances, but even then, “it touched your skin” does not equal “all of it entered your bloodstream.”

This is still one reason we care about ingredient quality. Daily use creates repeated exposure, and leave-on products remain against the skin much longer than a cleanser that is immediately rinsed away.

We do not need to exaggerate absorption to justify a non-toxic routine.

We simply choose to reduce unnecessary exposures while supporting the protective barrier God designed.

How to Patch Test a New Face Serum

When you are trying a new serum, especially one with essential oils, fragrance constituents, acids, or concentrated botanicals, introduce it slowly.

Apply a small amount to a discreet area such as the inner forearm or behind the ear once daily for several days before using it over your entire face.

A home patch test cannot rule out every delayed allergy, and formal patch testing by a dermatologist is different. But gradual introduction can help you catch obvious irritation before covering your face with a new product.

Stop if you develop persistent burning, swelling, hives, blistering, or a spreading rash.

Modern Purity: Returning to the Source

As the ancient world relied on infused oils, resins, herbs, and aromatic preparations, the modern world has become much better at identifying the chemistry inside plants.

Steam distillation gives us concentrated volatile essential oils. Cold pressing can produce fixed botanical oils or expressed citrus oils depending on what is being processed. Infusion transfers selected plant compounds into oils or other solvents.

Those preparations are not interchangeable, but each can have a useful place.

The fragrance industry can also imitate individual botanical aromas with synthetic molecules. A lab-created scent may smell similar to a flower or resin while lacking the complete chemical profile of the original botanical preparation.

For those of us who value Biblical wisdom and natural health, modern extraction gives us a way to use botanicals with more precision than ever.

But purity is not simply “natural versus synthetic.”

Quality also means:

• Correct botanical identity
• Appropriate extraction
• Fresh, stable carrier oils
• Protection from oxidation
• Proper essential-oil dilution
• Microbial preservation when water is present
• Transparent sourcing
• A formula matched to the person using it

That is the kind of natural skincare we want to practice: creation-based, thoughtful, non-toxic, and grounded in what the ingredients actually do.

For more ways to simplify your routine, see our guide to safe natural beauty products and non-toxic DIY swaps.

DIY Barrier-Repair Serum: A Daily Nourishment Recipe

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

While our skin isn’t “broken,” it often needs binding and soothing after years of harsh chemical exposure. If your skin barrier has been compromised by harsh chemicals, this simple blend provides the lipids and antioxidants needed for restoration.

Combine these pure ingredients into a dark glass dropper bottle:

• 2 oz Jojoba Oil (The closest botanical match to the skin's natural sebum)
• 3 drops Frankincense Essential Oil (Promotes cellular health and skin tone)
• 2 drops Lavender Essential Oil (Soothes skin irritation and redness)
• 1 tsp Vitamin E Oil (Natural antioxidant and preservative)

“Make this into a personal anointing oil for your face. Use 3-4 drops at night after cleansing. It will provide a breathable barrier that allows your skin to restore itself while you sleep.”

The connection between the science of our skin and the purity of the ingredients we choose is a powerful testament to the wisdom embedded in creation. By incorporating pure botanicals into your routine, you carry forward a rich tradition of faith, cleansing, and natural support for mind, body, and spirit.

We encourage you to simplify your routine and embrace the purity of natural skin health today!

If you want a gentle cleanser to pair with your serum, see our DIY foaming facial cleanser with essential oils and honey.

Our Go-To Non-Toxic Face Serum

If the process of navigating labels and mixing your own oils feels overwhelming, there is a non-toxic solution that aligns well with the principles of stewardship and purity.

Annmarie Skin Care was founded in 2009 with a commitment to handcrafted, plant-centered beauty and a strong emphasis on organic and wildcrafted ingredients.

One reason we like the brand is third-party ingredient screening.

A substantial collection of Annmarie Skin Care products is currently MADE SAFE certified, including the Aloe Herb Cleanser, Anti-Aging Serum, Anti-Aging Facial Oil, and Activated Night Serum. The certification is product-specific, so it is more accurate to verify the individual product rather than simply saying everything a company sells is automatically certified. (15)

MADE SAFE certification also should not be translated into the claim “100% non-toxic for every person.”

It is an independent screening program that evaluates ingredients against its restricted-substance and toxicant criteria. Individual allergies and sensitivities can still happen with even a well-screened botanical product.

Annmarie also uses a proprietary low-heat botanical infusion process in which herbs are infused into skin-supportive oils and aloe-based preparations over an extended period. We appreciate that slower, plant-centered approach without needing mystical language to explain why we value it.

What Comes in the Clean Beauty Trial?

For those specifically looking for a clean alternative to more aggressive conventional sets, their Clean Beauty Trial offers a simple way to sample the routine:

• Aloe Herb Cleanser: A gentle cleanser built around aloe and botanical ingredients for cleansing without the stripped feeling we try to avoid.
• Anti-Aging Serum: A hydrating serum featuring ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts for dry or maturing skin.
• Anti-Aging Facial Oil: A jojoba-based facial oil with botanical oils and extracts, including goji and chia seed oil, designed to seal in moisture and support a supple feel.
• Activated Night Serum: A plant-based retinol alternative using Annmarie's bioactive A-complex along with tremella mushroom and astaxanthin. The current product is MADE SAFE certified. (16, 17)

I especially like that this gives you the chance to test a complete routine before investing in full-size products.

Remember that “natural” does not mean you cannot react. Introduce one new product at a time when your skin is sensitive so you know what agrees with you.

This handcrafted approach keeps the focus where we want it: intentional ingredients, barrier support, botanical quality, and a routine that does not require us to accept synthetic fragrance as the price of beautiful skin.

The connection between the science of our skin and the purity of the ingredients we choose is a powerful testament to the wisdom embedded in creation.

By incorporating pure botanicals into your routine, you carry forward a rich tradition of faith, cleansing, and natural support for mind, body, and spirit.

NLF Reader Discount: Try out Annmarie's Clean Beauty Trial 67% off and get a FREE activated night serum when you go to this page here!

We encourage you to simplify your routine and embrace the purity of natural skin health today!

Face Serum Ingredient FAQs

What ingredients should I avoid in a face serum?

Our highest-priority red flags include formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, undisclosed synthetic fragrance, unnecessary phthalate exposure, poor-quality ethoxylated ingredients with potential 1,4-dioxane contamination, and formulas that chronically leave your skin red, tight, burning, or peeling. We also choose to minimize parabens as a precautionary lifestyle choice.

Are parabens dangerous in skincare?

Parabens have demonstrated estrogenic activity in experimental research, which is why many non-toxic beauty shoppers choose to avoid them. FDA's current position is that it does not have evidence showing that parabens as used in cosmetics harm human health. We prefer to minimize them without claiming that one paraben-containing serum has been proven to cause hormonal disease. (2, 3)

Is dimethicone bad for your skin?

Dimethicone is not automatically bad, comedogenic, or bacteria-trapping simply because it is a silicone. We personally prefer botanical oils in many formulas, but whether a particular serum causes congestion depends on the complete formula and the individual using it.

Is alcohol in face serum bad?

Not necessarily. Volatile alcohols such as ethanol or alcohol denat. can be drying or irritating in some high-alcohol formulas, especially on compromised or sensitive skin, but the effect depends on concentration and formulation. Fatty alcohols such as cetyl, stearyl, and cetearyl alcohol are a different category and are often used as emollients and thickeners.

Does your skin absorb everything you put on it?

No. The stratum corneum is a selective barrier. Penetration depends on molecular size, chemistry, concentration, vehicle, application site, exposure time, and barrier condition. Some ingredients remain mostly on the surface while some penetrate more deeply. (1, 13)

Are essential oils safer than synthetic fragrance?

We prefer properly formulated essential oils to undisclosed synthetic fragrance, but essential oils can still irritate or sensitize skin. Dilution, freshness, chemistry, dose, and the person's allergies all matter. Oxidized fragrance constituents such as linalool and limonene are recognized contact allergens in susceptible people. (7)

Is vitamin E a preservative in DIY skincare?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, not a broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative. It can help slow oxidation of oils, but it cannot reliably preserve a homemade water-based serum against bacteria, yeast, and mold.

Should I avoid retinol and retinoids?

Retinoids are not inherently toxic skincare ingredients and have substantial evidence for acne and photoaging. They can also cause dryness, redness, peeling, and burning, especially when started too aggressively. We prefer a gentler, barrier-first approach and often choose botanical alternatives, but the evidence does not support calling all retinoids harmful. (10)

How do I know if my vitamin C serum has oxidized?

L-ascorbic acid is sensitive to oxygen, heat, light, and formulation conditions. A serum that becomes substantially darker, especially orange or brown, may be oxidizing and losing potency. Follow the manufacturer's storage and discard guidance. Oxidation itself is not the same as bacterial contamination. (11)

What does MADE SAFE certification mean?

MADE SAFE is a third-party ingredient-screening certification. It verifies that a specific certified product has met the organization's ingredient and toxicant-screening standards. It does not mean no human could ever be allergic to the product, and certification should be verified product by product. (15)

What should I do if every serum suddenly burns?

Simplify. Stop new actives and fragranced products, use a gentle cleanser and bland moisturizer or facial oil that you already tolerate, and give the barrier time to recover. Seek dermatologic care if you have significant swelling, blistering, persistent rash, crusting, infection signs, or symptoms that do not improve.

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