Smartwatches are an excellent tool for monitoring wellness and health, but sometimes they can cause skin irritation. Here’s a dermatologist’s view on how to prevent and manage this effectively:
1. Stop Using the Device
The first step is to immediately stop wearing the smartwatch at the first sign of irritation
Why? Continued use can worsen the condition, increasing the risk of irritation lasting longer or coming back
2. Allow Skin to Fully Heal
Before resuming use, make sure the skin has completely healed
Important: Wearing the device on irritated skin increases the likelihood of the irritation returning, as damaged skin is more easily irritated regardless of the cause—whether it’s an allergy or simply irritation from the device
3. Thoroughly Clean Your Smartwatch (Watch Case and Band) Before Rewearing Your Smartwatch
To remove external irritants or allergens—common causes of skin irritation under smartwatches—clean your device thoroughly:
Start with an alcohol wipe to disinfect the watch case and band. This removes bacteria, oils, and other things that can irritate your skin
Rinse the device under plain running water while gently rubbing it with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any chemicals, soap residue/surfactants, or other irritants that may have accumulated on the watch case or band
Dry the device completely. Use a clean microfiber cloth to dry the watch and band or allow them to air dry before putting the device back on
🟢 Tip: Cleaning your device daily can reduce day-to-day skin irritation risks caused by sweat, oils, and irritants building up on the device
🔴 Avoid This: Don’t use soaps, wet wipes, or disinfectants to clean your smartwatch. These often contain soap residue/surfactants, fragrances, preservatives, or other ingredients that can irritate the skin if trapped under the device
By keeping your smartwatch clean and free of irritants, you can reduce some of the common triggers for skin irritation
4. Adjust Wear Habits
Make adjustments to how and when you wear your smartwatch to reduce skin irritation risks:
1. Limit wear time or frequency
If possible, remove the smartwatch during periods of inactivity, or alternate wearing it on the other wrist to reduce prolonged exposure to one area of skin
2. Loosen the strap
If the watch case or band leaves an impression on your skin, it’s too tight.
Proper adjustment means no impressions should be left on the skin by the watch case or band after wearing the device
Loosening the strap allows for better air circulation and reduces moisture buildup that can lead to irritation
3. Use gentle, non-ionic cleansers
When cleaning your skin under and around where you wear the device, use hypoallergenic cleansers like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser to avoid soap residue/surfactant buildup
4. Apply a moisturizer to keep your skin healthy
Use a gentle lotion such as CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion or Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion to hydrate the skin
This helps maintain the skin barrier and reduces the risk of irritation from prolonged smartwatch wear
5. Avoid wearing the device during high-risk activities
Here are common activities that can increase irritation risks:
Cooking and food preparation:
Food prep exposes your skin to irritants like citrus (lemon, lime), acids (vinegar), spices, or oils that may get trapped under the device
Frequent hand washing during cooking can also lead to a buildup of soap residue/surfactants and excess moisture under the smartwatch
Solution: Wear non-latex gloves during food preparation to avoid these exposures and reduce hand washing frequency
Cleaning or household chores:
Household cleaning involves exposure to detergents, cleaning sprays, and other chemicals that can irritate the skin
Solution: Wearing non-latex gloves during these tasks can help prevent exposure and reduce skin irritation risks
Swimming:
Avoid exposure to chlorine (in pools) or salt (in seawater), which can irritate the skin and get trapped under the device
Showering:
Avoid wearing the smartwatch in the shower, as soaps, shampoos, and body washes often leave soap residue/surfactants that can linger between the device and your skin
Exercise:
Sweat during exercise increases moisture, heat and friction under the device
Solution: After working out, clean the device (as described above) and allow your skin to fully dry before wearing your smartwatch again
🟢 Consider switching the watch band to a material that allows better air circulation and moisture evaporation, such as: A breathable nylon band- A perforated silicone band (bands with holes designed for airflow)
These materials are designed to minimize moisture buildup and improve comfort during physical activity
5. Seek Medical Attention if Needed
If the irritation persists, worsens, or is severe, consult a dermatologist
A dermatologist can help identify the cause—whether it’s a material allergy, chemical sensitivity, or something else—and suggest effective treatments.If necessary, patch testing can identify specific allergens, which can guide future smartwatch use and care
Disclaimer
This blog provides general wellness information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider for concerns about your skin health
About BOHLD Consulting
At BOHLD Consulting, creating skin care and device care product literature to optimize user comfort and safety is one aspect of our dermatology expertise. We can help customize materials tailored to your product and audience.
Using evidence-based dermatologic findings, we provide guidance to help reduce the risk of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) for wearable technology users
If your company is looking for expert guidance in improving the usability and comfort of your products while prioritizing the health of your customers, feel free to reach out. We’re here to collaborate and ensure your products meet the highest standards for safety and user satisfaction
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