How to introduce a new skincare product to your routine, according to dermatologists

• Introducing a skincare product to your routine can be tricky, especially in a world of 12-step beauty routines.
• Insider rounded up the best four dermatologist-approved tips to work a product into your routine.
• Introducing one product at a time rather than multiple can help you figure out what actually works for your skin.
• Trying out a patch test on the inside of your elbow or behind your ear can tell you if you have an allergy before putting it on your face.

New skincare products are constantly coming out, making it hard to figure out how to introduce products in a way that won't hurt your skin or waste your money.

While you may be intrigued to try out a 12-step Korean skincare routine you heard rave reviews about on YouTube, dermatologists say that, for some people, it could be overwhelming for their skin.

"Since the ingredients are more active and effective than ever, they can also irritate the skin if overused or used in combinations that are not right for your skin type," Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, dermatologist and founder of Capital Laser & Skin Care in Washington, DC, told Shape Magazine.

Here are four dermatologist-approved tips on how to properly work a product into your routine, and how to figure out if it's right for you.

Try a patch test before using a product on your entire face

A patch test can tell you whether or not you are allergic to a product before you risk irritating your entire face with it. Trying out a product on a small section of skin behind your ear or inside your elbow can should you how your skin will react to a product.

If the product burns or becomes itchy or flaky after 24 hours, this could be a sign to speak to a dermatologist before continuing to use it. While certain products like retinoids can cause mild irritation when you first start using them, it's always best to consult a professional just in case.

Even if your skin isn't sensitive, it's always best to check for allergies.

"It's always possible," New York City dermatologist Dr. Howard Sobel, founder of Park Avenue Skin and Spa, told Glamour. "People develop allergies throughout all stages of their lives."

Be consistent with using the product

Once you pass the patch test and want to move on to using your new product in your routine, make sure you use your product for at least a month before reassessing.

No skincare product is magic, so results are never overnight, according to dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm.

"It usually takes 3 to 4 months to evaluate whether a skin-care change is working to improve the overall appearance of the skin," Palm told Well and Good. "It takes a full month for the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, to turn over. Three to four cycles of this turnover allows adequate time to demonstrate a qualitative change in the skin."

Make sure to use the product once or twice a day depending on the instructions for at least a full month before judging if it's right for you, as skipping nights or weeks can impact its benefits.

Pay attention to how the product makes your skin feel

It's important to note how the product makes your skin feel over time.

If your skin becomes dry, flakey, or red, and worsens after three weeks, it could be a sign to consult your dermatologist again. More subtle changes can also tell you it's time to stop using a product.

"The signs that you need to change something in your skin care can also be more subtle – roughness, bumps, and dullness can be signs that the skin isn't optimally hydrated or desquamating (turning itself over)," Dr. Heidi Waldorf, a cosmetic dermatologist, told Insider.

But if a product is working your skin will feel moisturized and balanced.

"It holds in moisture and exfoliates on its own, is soft to the touch, and reflects light well," Waldorf said.

Change your routine gradually, and try one product at a time

Though buying an entire skin care system and trying it all at once can feel like the best thing to do, it's important to gradually introduce new products to your routine.

According to Dr. Mary L. Stevenson, assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center, if you flood your skin with too many ingredients, you could cause irritation or breakouts without knowing which products were working for your skin and which were the irritants.

The mixture of certain ingredients can also worsen irritation to the skin depending on your allergies.

"You kind of have to do what works for you, try not to do too many things at once, and also talk to your dermatologist," Stevenson told Self.

Read More:

3 ways to tell if your skincare routine is working, harmful, or a waste of money

6 common skin care mistakes you're probably making in the shower

5 ways to know if your skincare routine is good, bad, or just a waste of money