Skin irritation is something we experience at some point in our lives.
People who suffer from this the most are those with sensitive and dry skin. However, there are a lot of things that come in contact with our skin daily that can make it irritated.
So, today, I will be explaining the factors that cause skin irritation, its symptoms, and most importantly, how you can soothe irritated skin.
Without wasting time, let’s get started.
Factors that can irritate your skin
Depending on how sensitive your skin is, there are a lot of factors that can cause skin irritation. Let’s take a look at some of them.
- Extreme weather conditions
- Caffeine
- Spicy foods
- Wrong skincare product for your skin type
- Skincare products that contain harsh ingredients
- Detergents
- Aggressive exfoliation
- Using too many skincare products at once
- Certain skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, contact dermatitis, etc
- Fragrance
- Cheap jewelry
Symptoms of irritated skin
You know your skin is irritated if you experience any of these:
- Rash
- Itching
- Redness
- Peeling or flaky skin
- Inflamed or swollen skin
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Blisters
- Burns
Natural Ways to Soothe Irritated Skin
There are several things you can do to calm your skin when it is irritated. Here are some of them:
-
Stay away from anything that irritates your skin
I cannot emphasize this enough. If you want to completely stop the irritation on your skin, then stay away from whatever irritates your skin.
If you do not know what triggers the irritation, make conscious efforts to watch out for specific foods, drinks, skincare products, clothing materials, etc. that make your skin react badly. Also, watch out for environmental factors like heat, humidity, dry weather, rain, etc.
If your skin comes in contact with something new or something that it is not used to, watch carefully for any reaction.
The key is knowing what causes the irritation and reducing your skin’s contact with that trigger.
2. Do not scrub the affected area
When your skin is irritated, the last thing it needs is anything harsh.
So, take a break from exfoliating at least till the affected area begins to show signs of healing. Even when taking your bath, do not use a sponge on that part of your skin. Make sure that your soap is mild so it doesn’t aggravate the irritation and cause your skin to flare up.
3. Take a break from your skincare routine
When your skin is irritated, especially your face, it is highly sensitive. This means that it cannot withstand things like it used to. Your skin barrier is compromised at this point.
The last thing you want to do is pile up skincare product after skincare product in the name of skincare routine. Take a break from your daily regimen and instead, focus on healing your skin.
Minimize what you apply on your skin. In fact, it is best you stick to a very mild soap for bathing and a calming moisturizer. You can apply a facemask with calming natural ingredients like honey, avocado, aloe vera, etc.
Stay away from chemicals till your skin heals.
4. Apply a calming moisturizer
Moisturizers, whether cream or lotion can help to soothe skin irritation.
They help to repair your already compromised skin barrier. This aids the healing of your skin. They also help to trap moisture into your skin, which helps to relieve irritations like flaky skin, redness – or any irritation associated with dry skin.
Get a moisturizer that contains ingredients like panthenol, aloe vera, colloidal oats, niacinamide, etc. These ingredients have great soothing qualities that help your skin to heal very quickly.
5. If it is caused by a skin condition, treat that first
Sometimes, the skin irritation might be triggered by an underlying skin condition.
Skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc., can highly irritate your skin. So, while you are trying to soothe the symptoms, do not forget the cause of the problem.
If you are not sure of the skin condition causing it, then you have to go see a doctor. Your doctor can help you figure out what skin problem is causing the irritation and the right treatment for it.
6. Apply home remedies
There are natural solutions that can soothe the symptoms and help your skin heal faster. Most of them serve as natural moisturizers for your skin. So, if you do not have a calming moisturizer, you can use any of the home remedies below.
- Aloe vera does not only provide moisture to your skin, but it also helps to treat burns and redness. It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and contains antioxidant properties which makes it a great healing agent.
- Honey contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce redness and swelling. It also serves as a natural moisturizer and provides skin-healing benefits to your skin.
- Green tea helps to treat a wide range of skin conditions including aging, acne, etc. It is also great for relieving irritation and speeding up the healing of your skin.
Other home remedies you can use include cucumber, chamomile extract, oatmeal, etc.
7. If symptoms persist, go and see a doctor
If after trying to treat your skin and the symptoms do not get better, then stop trying. Go see your doctor instead.
It might be an indication of something bigger that you are not aware of. Your dermatologist will be able to tell you exactly what is wrong and prescribe the necessary treatment for it.
In conclusion,
Getting your skin irritated is something that will happen once in a while. Sometimes, it might be as a result of what you did or worse, things you cannot control. Whichever it is, just follow the tips that I have given you.
Now over to you…
Has your skin ever been irritated? How did you treat it? Leave a comment to share your experience.
Also, if you have any questions, leave a comment and I will be glad to answer them.