Introduction
A widespread myth is that if a skincare product causes your face to burn or tingle, it must be effective. Many people believe that a flushed, irritated complexion is an indication of efficacy and raise a question why is my face burning after skincare? But, because we care about you and your skin, we’d want to clarify that your skincare routine should never leave you feeling like your face is on fire—or looking like a lobster.
Feel The Burn
A burning feeling on your skin after using a product might happen for two reasons. The first is a disruption of your skin’s barrier. If you experience discomfort almost immediately, it’s possible that the product has changed your skin’s normal pH, which is around 5.5. When this balance is disrupted, the product may no longer be compatible with your skin, thereby jeopardising its protective barrier. In severe situations, this can cause microscopic gaps in the skin, which act as “windows” for microorganisms. As a result, you may experience redness, irritation, breakouts, and/or dissatisfaction.
The second reason of burning could be an allergic reaction to a product’s ingredients. This is commonly shown as contact dermatitis, a red, itchy rash that indicates your skin’s resistance to the solution.
In all cases, it is critical to discontinue using the product immediately. Soothe your skin with a cold compress, and if the response is severe, seek medical attention.
Normal levels of inflammatory reactions. And burning is not one of them
Inflammatory reactions are a common aspect of skincare, but burning is a red flag. Stinging sensations can be divided into three levels:
TINGLE
The gentlest sensation, a prickle that implies something is happening. It lasts for a few seconds and has no lingering effects.
STINGLE
A moderate sensation that becomes slightly more powerful and can last up to 10 seconds. It may cause your skin to get slightly red or flushed, but this normally goes away fast.
STING
This is a more acute, sharp sensation that lasts longer—greater than 10 seconds and occasionally even a minute. If this turns into a burning sensation, it’s time to act. Rinse your skin well with water to eliminate the product that is causing the response, which is most likely too harsh for your skin.
What to Do If You Get a Chemical Burn
Chemical burns happen when the skin comes into contact with substances that are very acidic or basic. This includes some skin care products and treatments that are too acidic. If a skin care product makes your face hurt, you should not leave it on. Pain and burning are not signs that the product is working; they mean that it is hurting your skin.
Chemical burns can cause changes in the colour or swelling of the skin, a burning feeling, pain, or numbness.
Swelling or peeling
If any of these signs show up after using a product, you need to stop using it right away. Take off any dirty clothes and immediately start running clean water over the injured skin for at least 20 minutes. Be careful not to get the runoff water on your skin.
If you have burns on your face, tilt your head over a sink, bath, or bowl and slowly pour water from a jug over them. You can also use a showerhead to give them a good rinse. After that, talk to a medical worker.
Systemic drugs, such as antibiotics or steroids, are usually not suggested by doctors for chemical burns. But they might give you a skin antibiotic or a low-strength steroid cream to help heal and stop infections.
Getting over a skin care chemical burn
After getting treatment for a chemical burn, it’s important to take good care of the skin to help it heal. Among these are:
– Keeping the wound clean to avoid getting an infection.
– Staying away from skin care items that could make the irritation worse.
– Putting on an external medicine if your doctor tells you to.
Putting petroleum jelly on the face to keep it moist and help it heal.
– Checking the area often for signs of infection, like more redness, swelling, or discharge.
To protect the tender area and stop more damage, stay out of the sun.
Bring the item or the label that lists the chemicals if you can to show your doctor. They can give you personalised information on how to take care of the burn, suggest good products, and tell you what ingredients to stay away from to avoid more reactions.
Figuring out what ingredients might irritate
Many chemicals in skin care products work well, but they can also irritate or burn the skin, especially in people with sensitive skin. These are common things that can cause chemical burns or pain:
Alcohol: Alcohol is often found in toners and astringents. It can dry out, irritate, and burn the skin by removing its natural oils. This is a big problem for people whose skin is dry or sensitive.
-Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Glycolic and lactic acids are popular ingredients because they remove dead skin cells and make the skin look brighter. But in large amounts or on skin that is easily damaged, they can burn, sting, and turn red. Look for goods that are made to cause as little irritation as possible, like those that have the right amount of AHAs.
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Salicylic acid is a popular BHA used to treat acne, but it can dry out, irritate, and burn the skin if it’s used too much or in high concentrations. Choose products that have a reasonable amount of BHAs to keep side effects to a minimum while still getting the job done.
Retinoids: Retinol and its derivatives are strong anti-aging ingredients, but they can make your skin peel, turn red, and burn at first. Advanced retinoid technology in gentle formulations can help lessen these effects while still getting benefits.
Preservatives: Ingredients like parabens and formaldehyde-releasing agents are used to make products last longer, but some people can be sensitive to them and experience itching and burning.
Essential Oils: Peppermint, eucalyptus, and citrus oils are natural, but they can be very strong and irritate or burn the skin if they are applied directly.
If you have sensitive or dry skin, SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) can be very harsh and cause itching, burning, and dryness. It is often found in cleaners that foam.
This is benzoyl peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide is used in many acne treatments. It can dry out, redden, and burn the skin, especially when used in higher amounts.
Choose items that are made for sensitive skin and read the labels carefully to avoid irritating or burning your skin with chemicals. Choose formulas that are the right amount of strong and gentle to keep your face healthy and free of side effects.
How to Choose Products for Sensitive Skin
To stop skin care products from making your skin hurt or burn, start by choosing ones that are made for sensitive skin. Here are some important tips to help keep your face healthy and reduce irritation:
Choose ingredients that are gentle and non-comedogenic. Products that are non-comedogenic are made so that they don’t clog pores, which lowers the risk of breakouts. Look for products that have aloe vera, glycerin, or ceramides in them. These ingredients will soothe and moisturise your skin. Kinship’s Supermello Gel Cream Moisturiser, for example, deeply moisturises and is safe for skin that is prone to eczema.
Avoid Harsh Exfoliants
Physical exfoliants and strong acids can irritate sensitive skin more than other skin types. Instead, use mild exfoliants like lactic acid or enzyme-based ones. They work well and are good for your face.
Test new skin care products on a small area first. Never use new skin care products on your whole body. Put a little bit on somewhere that won’t be seen, like behind the ear, and wait 24 to 48 hours to see what happens.
– Choose products with short ingredient lists. These are less likely to irritate your skin because they don’t contain as many possibly reactive substances.
Consult a Dermatologist
If you want professional help, you might want to talk to a dermatologist. They can tell you about items that are made just for your skin type and help you with any problems you may be having.
Choosing gentle, skin-friendly products and taking steps like patch testing can keep your skin healthy and comfortable while lowering the risk of irritation.
Why skin care products can burn?
Some skin care products, especially those with acids, work by removing dead skin cells. The top layer of dead skin cells and oil are broken down by these acids, showing a smoother, more even skin tone. Most over-the-counter (OTC) items that contain these acids are pretty mild. Their pH level is around 4, which is very close to the pH level of your skin, which is slightly acidic.
Some goods, like those used in chemical peels, are stronger, though, and can be stronger. These stronger solutions are usually only used in professional treatments, but some people try to use them at home. Even milder products can hurt and burn your skin if you use them too much or if they are too strong for your skin.
Here are some ingredients that might cause burns or responses that feel like burns:
Omega-3 fatty acids (AHAs)
AHAs are a group of acids that are often used to remove dead skin cells from the skin. They work to smooth out fine lines, improve skin tone and texture, open up pores, and make the skin healthier generally. But AHAs can have side effects like these when they are used wrong:
– On fire – Swelling – Peeling
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)
Because they can get into pores and clear out plugs, BHAs like salicylic acid are often used to treat acne. These things are also used to treat psoriasis, seborrheic eczema, oily skin, and warts. BHAs come in different amounts, usually between 0.5% and 30%. Higher concentrations can make the skin red and itchy, which can lead to responses like
– Itching – Flush or discolouration – Skin that is unusually warm
If you use high-concentration AHAs or BHAs too much, or if you mix them with other strong skin care products, they can hurt your skin and cause burns or serious irritation.
How to Stop Skincare from Giving You Burning Feelings Again?
To keep your skin from getting burned or irritated from skin care items in the future, try following these helpful tips:
Patch Test New Products
Always do a patch test before putting a new skin care product on your face. Put a little of the product on a skin area that no one will see and wait 24 to 48 hours to see if it causes any problems.
Introduce Products Gradually
When you add new skin care products to your routine, do it slowly. To get your face used to them, use them every other day or a few times a week at first. Keep an eye on your skin to see if it becomes irritated or sensitive.
Choose products that are gentle and have a pH balance
Pick products that are made especially for sensitive skin and stay away from those that have harsh ingredients like alcohol, sulphates, or artificial fragrances. Make sure the items are pH-balanced to keep your skin’s natural acidity, which will lower the chance of irritation and pain.
Do not exfoliate too much
Using too many physical scrubs or chemical exfoliants (like AHAs and BHAs) can damage your skin’s layer, making it more likely to get irritated. Don’t exfoliate too much to keep your skin from becoming too sensitive.
Moisturise regularly
Use a gentle moisturiser without scent to keep your skin fresh. Skin that is well-moisturized is less likely to have bad reactions to goods and can handle the effects of active ingredients better.
Be careful with active ingredients
Strong actives like retinoids and acids can irritate the skin, especially if they are added all at once. Start with smaller concentrations and slowly increase the amount you use as your skin gets used to it. This will lower the chance of getting burned or feeling uncomfortable.
By doing these things, you can help keep your skin from getting irritated and make sure that your skincare routine stays gentle but effective.