What is making your skin peel?
Peeling happens when skin sheds part of its outer layer, called the epidermis, while recovering from damage. Possible causes include sunburn, friction, dry skin, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis and fungal infections. Acne treatments, retinol creams, chemical peels and some other medicines can also cause peeling. If the cause is unclear, a dermatologist can assess your symptoms and review your medicines, vitamins and supplements.1
How can you treat peeling skin at home?
- 1Shower in warm water rather than hot water, which dries skin.
- 2Apply a fragrance free, hypoallergenic moisturizing cream or ointment to dry areas. These are thicker than lotions.
- 3Leave peeling skin attached until it sheds naturally. Pulling it off creates openings where bacteria can enter.
- 4Protect the area from further sun damage. Aloe vera can help soothe sunburned skin.
- 5Use a humidifier if you need to add moisture to indoor air.
Which treatment fits the cause?
| Situation | Treatment direction |
|---|---|
| Dry, peeling feet | Use a dye free, fragrance free cream or ointment. |
| Sunburned, peeling feet | Keep skin moisturized and protect feet from further sunburn. |
| A diagnosed fungal infection | An antifungal cream treats the infection; moisturizer alone does not address the cause. |
| Eczema on the feet | Moisturizer helps, but a clinician may also recommend a topical medicine. |
| Psoriasis on the feet | Avoid known irritants and discuss appropriate creams, ointments or prescription treatment. |
What helps peeling feet and toes?
Wash feet daily with a gentle cleanser and dry carefully between the toes. For dry skin, apply moisturizer several times during the day if needed, including at bedtime; cotton socks over moisturizer can help retain moisture overnight. Ointments are the most moisturizing option, creams sit between ointments and lotions, and lotions are the least moisturizing.2
For sweaty feet, change damp socks and choose breathable socks and shoes. Wear sandals in shared showers and pool areas. Redness and itching can accompany athlete's foot, but peeling alone does not identify a fungal infection. If you have diabetes and peeling feet or wounds that heal slowly, arrange a foot assessment rather than relying only on home treatment.2
What if an acne prescription is causing peeling?
Trifarotene, a prescription retinoid used for acne, can cause dryness, redness, stinging and peeling. Dryness or irritation can develop during the first four weeks. If skin stings, burns or becomes irritated, contact your prescriber; they can advise using moisturizer or applying the medicine less often. These directions are specific to trifarotene, so check the instructions for your own prescription.3
Trifarotene is usually applied once daily at bedtime, in a thin layer after gently cleaning and drying the affected area. Do not apply it to sunburn, cuts, abrasions or eczema. Avoid abrasive products and cleansers containing alcohol, and do not use hot wax on treated areas. Do not increase the amount or frequency beyond your prescription.3
Tell your prescriber about other medicines and any history of eczema. If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, discuss trifarotene with your doctor; call them if you become pregnant during treatment. Trifarotene can increase sensitivity to sunlight, so avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use protective clothing and sunscreen.3
How should you care for skin after a chemical peel?
A chemical peel removes layers of skin, a rare case of a cosmetic treatment doing exactly what its name suggests. Peeling afterward is part of recovery, and the depth of the procedure determines the care you need. Follow the clinician's aftercare plan rather than treating a deeper peel like ordinary dry skin.4
| Peel depth | Expected healing | Home care |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Usually 1 to 7 days; scaling can last 3 to 7 days after redness subsides. | Apply lotion or cream as directed until healed, then use sunscreen daily. |
| Medium | Usually 7 to 14 days, with redness, swelling, crusting and peeling. | Use prescribed soaks and ointment. Avoid sunlight until completely healed and attend follow up. |
| Deep | Usually 14 to 21 days; the area is bandaged. | Follow the wound care plan, including soaks and ointment, then moisturizer as directed. Avoid sun for 3 to 6 months. |
Keep treated areas cool and do not pick flakes or scabs: picking delays healing and can cause scarring. Lighter moisturizing preparations suit superficial peels, while deeper peels need thicker preparations as directed. If thick moisturizers lead to blocked pores or acne after a peel, ask your dermatologist about treatment rather than abandoning wound care.6
Do not restart tretinoin, glycolic acid or other prescribed peel maintenance products unless your clinician advises it. Report problems promptly, because complications are easier to manage early. After a chemical peel, contact your dermatologist if skin burns, itches or swells; rubbing or scratching treated skin can cause infection.56
A new chemical peel is not ordinary aftercare for skin that is already peeling. Peel treatment areas must be free of open sores and skin infections. Skin conditions or medicines that increase sensitivity can make a peel unsuitable. Darker skin tones have a greater risk of pigment changes after treatment, so any future peel needs an assessment by a dermatologist experienced with your skin tone.4
When should you get medical help?
Call a healthcare professional for unexplained peeling or signs of infection such as fever or chills. For peeling feet, seek medical attention if home treatment is not working, or if you develop pain, swelling, difficulty walking, unusual warmth, black skin or cracks that ooze pus. There is no single recovery time for all peeling skin: treatment and healing depend on the cause.12
Where this answer comes from
- 1Peeling Skin: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatmentmy.clevelandclinic.org
- 2Peeling Feet and Toes: Causes and How To Fix Ithealth.clevelandclinic.org
- 3Trifarotene Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Informationmedlineplus.gov
- 4Chemical Peels: Types of Peels, Conditions Treated, What to Expectmy.clevelandclinic.org
- 5Chemical peels: FAQsaad.org
- 6Chemical peels (face peels)dermnetnz.org
