Before you ask, yes, peeling skin is a thing.

It is not uncommon to wake up and realize that your skin is peeling off your face or other parts of your body.

While it might seem harmless, it is not wise for you to ignore it. Sometimes, it can be as a result of an underlying condition which needs to be treated immediately.

So, when you realize your skin is peeling, does this mean your skin is in great danger? What is the right step to take to stop it?

Keep on reading to find out the answers.

What Causes Peeling Skin?

First of all, just because your skin is peeling doesn’t mean that your skin is in great danger. However, it is absolutely wrong to ignore it.

Knowing what is making your skin peel helps you figure out how to treat it.

When your skin peels, it is usually due to inflammation underneath your skin or a reaction to something your skin has come in contact with.

Factors that cause peeling skin include:

1. Allergic reactions
2. Skin infections
3. Genetic disease e.g. Acral peeling skin syndrome
4. Cancer
5. Immune system disorders
6. Certain medications like blood pressure medications, penicillin, etc.
7. Acne treatment especially topical treatments that contain retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, etc.
8. Skin burns

However, peeling skin is more often a symptom of an underlying skin condition. There are skin conditions that cause your skin to peel. If this is the case, in order to stop your skin from peeling, you have to treat these skin conditions first.

Here are some of the skin conditions that can cause your skin to peel:

1. Dry skin
2. Eczema
3. Psoriasis
4. Contact dermatitis
5. Sunburn
6. Hypothyroidism

How to Stop Peeling Skin

The good news is it is possible to treat peeling skin. Below are some tips that can help:

1. If it is caused by an underlying skin condition, treat that first.

If your skin is peeling because of an underlying skincare condition, then you need to treat that first.

The good news is once that skincare condition is out of the way, your skin stops peeling.

So, examine the part of your body that is peeling. If it is discoloured, swollen, painful or itchy, then you need to see your dermatologist immediately.

2. Get the right medications

There are medications (for example, corticosteroid creams) that are prescribed for treating peeling skin.

Make sure that whatever medication you use, it is prescribed by your doctor. Do not buy over-the-counter medications.

You do not want to get a medication that will cause reactions and worsen the state of things. So, before you take medications, confirm it with your dermatologist.

3. Get friendly with your moisturizer

One of the causes of peeling skin is extremely dry skin.

If this is the case, then you need to moisturize like your life depends on it. This is not the time to be frugal. Rub in as much moisturizer as is necessary to prevent your skin from being dry. Make sure your moisturizer is fragrance free.

Also, make sure none of the ingredients in your moisturizer can cause any skin reaction. Watch out for moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, etc.

It is best you use non-comedogenic products to prevent acne.

4. Wear sunscreen

The ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your skin and lead to the appearance of sunburns on your skin.

Since sunburns can cause peeling skin, make sure you do not leave the house without applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and above.

Truthfully, whether or not you have peeling skin, wearing sunscreen is very important. The sun can cause more damage to your skin than just causing sunburns.

5. Do not expose your skin to anything that can irritate it

The last thing you want to do is further irritate your skin.

Make sure that your skincare products do not contain any harsh ingredient or any ingredient that can cause negative reactions. Stay away from products that contain ingredients like alcohol, fragrance, etc.

This applies to your makeup products and even your detergents. As long as your skin is coming in contact with it, make sure it is mild and gentle.

Exposing your skin to irritants can further worsen the situation. It can also lead to other skin problems.

6. Make use of home remedies

If you do not want to spend money buying skincare products or medications, using home remedies is a great alternative.

There are great moisturizing natural remedies like honey, shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera, etc.

These home remedies do not only provide the much needed moisture to your skin, they help to heal your skin and return it back to normal.

For example, aloe vera moisturizes your skin as well as helps to heal sunburn. Honey also moisturizes the skin, but goes further to soothe irritation and reactions.

So, if you apply any of these home remedies, they will help provide moisture to your skin.

When does it become extremely important to go see a doctor?

If your skin is peeling off because of an allergic reaction or sunburn, it should stop within three to seven days.

It, however, becomes a problem when your skin keeps peeling very often or if it continues peeling and doesn’t stop.

If any of these happens, you need to see a doctor right away.

In conclusion,

When you notice your skin peeling, you do not have to panic.

More often than not, it is caused by factors that can be easily treated. The key is supplying your skin with all the moisture it can get.

But more importantly, you should treat the underlying cause, if there is one. If it persists after trying out the tips I gave above, then go see your doctor immediately.

Now over to you…

Have you ever had peeling skin? If yes, how was your experience and how did you treat it?

Leave a comment and let’s talk.