How do I calm irritated skin from skincare products?

Why did the product irritate my skin?

One common cause is contact dermatitis, a reaction triggered by something touching the skin. An irritant directly damages the outer skin layer; an allergen triggers an immune response. Both can happen with skincare products, and the two types can overlap. Contact reactions can cause itch, blisters, dryness or cracks, and often appear within hours or days of exposure. On darker skin, inflammation may look dark brown, purple or grey rather than red.12

The strength of a product and how often or how long you use it can affect irritation. Retinoids and benzoyl peroxide can cause irritant contact dermatitis with long term use, and several small irritants can add up. Do not push through a product that is making the area more sore.1

What should I do first?

1. 1Stop the product you suspect, especially if it is new. Do not add a replacement while your skin is actively irritated.
2. 2If the product is still on your skin, rinse the area promptly with warm water and an emollient.
3. 3For your face, use a mild cleanser and your fingertips, rinse with warm water, then pat dry with a clean towel.
4. 4For itch or discomfort, hold a cool damp towel on the area and tap or pat the skin instead of scratching.

Rinse cleanser fully, because residue can irritate skin and a cleanser does not need an encore.4

What should I put on irritated skin?

Use an unperfumed moisturizer or emollient regularly, especially after washing. Emollients soften skin, help limit dryness and are an effective option for mild irritant contact dermatitis. Apply a plain moisturizer often to limit dryness; boring is the right ambition for a jar in this situation.236

Choose the texture for the amount of dryness. Lotions suit mild dryness, creams suit moderate dryness, and ointments provide the most occlusive layer for very dry, scaly areas, though some people find them greasy. Urea and lactic acid products can sting when skin is scratched, cracked or inflamed, so skip them on those areas.6

If you have rosacea and use medication for it, apply the medication first, then moisturize after cleansing. Let your face dry before moisturizing to reduce the chance of burning or stinging.4

What products should I avoid while my skin is irritated?

Avoid the suspected product and other known triggers until the skin settles. Skip perfumed soaps, deodorants and moisturizers, as well as scrubbing and exfoliation. Choose fragrance free rather than unscented products; the label apparently needed one more distinction to keep everyone occupied.234

• If a retinoid or benzoyl peroxide product seems to be the trigger, pause it while the skin is irritated.
• If you have rosacea, avoid products with alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate or urea.
• Avoid astringents and toners if your skin is rosacea prone, and do not rub or scrub the area.

How long does irritated skin take to heal?

Contact dermatitis usually improves or clears once the substance causing it is avoided. A reaction can begin hours or days after exposure, so it may not appear immediately. Itchy skin can take a few weeks to go away. Longer lasting irritant dermatitis, especially on the hands, can be slow to improve.123

When should I get medical help?

Ask a pharmacist for help choosing an emollient if the itching is troubling you. See a doctor if the reaction is severe, keeps coming back, does not improve or has no clear trigger. A rash that starts leaking fluid, or leaks more than before, should be examined. Swelling, pain, pus or fever are signs to get medical care because an infection can occur when skin is broken.235

If you are pregnant and have itchy skin, check with a doctor or midwife.3