How to repair an irritated skin barrier

What should you do now?

Repair starts with removing irritants, which gives the bathroom shelf a rare chance to do less.2

1. 1Pause irritating extras. Stop scrubs, peels and irritating anti aging products while skin heals. Salicylic acid acne treatments can also irritate damaged skin. If a prescribed treatment is involved, ask the prescriber how to adjust it.
2. 2Wash gently. Use lukewarm rather than hot water and a mild, soap free, fragrance free cleanser. Massage the cleanser on and rinse it off; prolonged rubbing can damage the barrier.
3. 3Moisturize after washing. Gently dry your skin, then smooth moisturizer onto skin that is still moist rather than rubbing hard. Reapply whenever skin feels dry. For very dry skin, emollients can be applied two to four times daily.
4. 4Protect dry spots at night. For facial spots irritated by mask friction, apply petroleum jelly before bed to protect the skin while it heals.
5. 5Use sunscreen every day. Choose one you will use consistently. Sun protection belongs in the recovery routine, not just the routine you return to afterward.

Which moisturizer should you choose?

Emollients form a protective film. Ointments contain the most oil and retain moisture best; creams sit between ointments and lighter lotions. Creams or lotions are generally more suitable for inflamed areas, while ointments suit very dry skin that is not inflamed.2

Useful ingredients include glycerine, which helps skin hold water, and petroleum jelly or dimethicone, which limit water loss. Ceramides are fats naturally present between skin cells; barrier creams can include them to support repair. Dimethicone products are less greasy than petroleum based products. Some occlusive creams can aggravate facial acne, and most barrier creams should not go directly onto broken skin.5

For irritated hands, reducing contact with detergents and repeated wet work matters as much as moisturizing. If you have dyshidrotic eczema, which affects hands or feet, use a fragrance free cream or ointment after washing and whenever skin feels dry. For wet work, wear cotton gloves under waterproof gloves.57

How long does recovery take?

There is no single recovery deadline. Mask related irritation should start improving within a few days of gentle care. Contact dermatitis, inflammation caused by contact with an irritant or allergen, usually clears within two to three weeks once the trigger is avoided. Broader improvements from barrier care can take three to four months. Do not wait months to seek help for worsening irritation.136

When should you get medical help?

Stop a moisturizer that causes a reaction and ask a pharmacist about an alternative. See a clinician if irritation stays the same, worsens or repeatedly returns; contact allergy can develop even after years of using a product. Patch testing can help identify allergens. Seek medical care for a severe reaction or signs of infection, including warmth, increasing tenderness, redness or fever.236

Sore, inflamed contact dermatitis can need a prescribed topical corticosteroid rather than moisturizer alone. Follow the prescribed strength and directions. Unless your clinician directs otherwise, apply emollient first and wait around 30 minutes before the corticosteroid.2