Face masks for flaky skin with dermatitis

Which kind of dermatitis do you have?

Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, causes itchy, dry, inflamed skin. Contact dermatitis is triggered by a substance touching the skin, including an irritant or an allergen in cosmetics. Both can involve dryness, but contact dermatitis needs the trigger identified and avoided.123

What should you look for in a mask?

For dry or sensitive skin, look for these ingredients:

• Hyaluronic acid helps retain water.
• Ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier.
• Glycerin helps smooth and soften skin.
• Colloidal oatmeal can soothe irritated skin.

Avoid fragrance, essential oils, rubbing alcohol, gritty exfoliants and strong exfoliating acids. Do not duplicate exfoliating ingredients already in your routine, particularly acids or retinol. The wrong ingredients or excessive mask use can worsen dryness and irritation.1

How to use a face mask

1. 1Test a new mask on small areas of skin before applying it across your face.
2. 2Apply gently with your fingertips.
3. 3Follow the label's timing and frequency. Leaving a mask on longer or using it too often can cause irritation.
4. 4Wash the mask off immediately if you feel itching, burning or stinging.
5. 5Apply moisturizer after washing off the mask.

What helps the flakes between masks?

In atopic dermatitis, the skin barrier loses water more easily and allows irritants to penetrate. Dryness is a sign that this protective barrier is not working properly. Frequent washing, very hot water, soap and low humidity can make skin drier and eczema harder to control. Use a cleanser without soap, and avoid repeated washing to remove the flakes. Regular use of an emollient, a moisturizer that helps skin retain moisture, combats dryness.4

Keep atopic dermatitis skin moisturized with a mild, fragrance free cream or ointment to relieve discomfort and reduce flares. Regular moisturizer does the everyday work of keeping eczema skin hydrated, even without a designated pampering occasion. Atopic dermatitis can last a long time, and treatment controls symptoms rather than curing the condition. Continue the skin care and medication in your treatment plan instead of replacing them with occasional masks.2

For facial eczema in adolescents and adults, a lighter emollient can be preferable to a very heavy one because heavier preparations can provoke acne or perioral dermatitis, inflammation around the mouth. Apply emollients as often as needed to keep skin hydrated and comfortable. Active flares can also need prescribed creams to control inflammation. A treatment used on the body is not automatically the right choice for facial eczema; facial treatment needs its own plan.5

When should you get help?

If a mask leaves your skin feeling worse, stop using it and see a dermatologist. Contact dermatitis reactions can appear within hours or days, so a reaction does not have to happen while the mask is on. A pharmacist can help with troubling contact dermatitis and suggest emollients. See a doctor for persistent, recurring or severe symptoms, or when avoiding suspected triggers and using treatment has not helped. Further assessment can help identify the cause.13