Irritated skin on the face: how to recognize it and soothe it?
Marie ARNOULT
9 min
Summary
Is your facial skin tight, itchy, and persistently red? It's likely irritated ! But how can you tell if these reactions are simply a temporary sensitivity or if your skin type is prone to irritation?
In this article, we'll take stock to help you find out if you're affected by irritated facial skin (not to be confused with sensitive skin), its causes, and the solutions that really work to soothe and repair it deeply.
What is the difference between sensitized skin and irritated skin?
Sensitive skin or irritated skin on the face ? Knowing the difference is important, because the solutions and cosmetic treatments to adopt are not the same!
Sensitized facial skin: temporary and occasional reactions
Sensitive skin is fickle and reactive, but only temporarily.
In general, skin is sensitized by external aggressions such as cold or pollution, a dietary imbalance or a cosmetic product containing harmful or poorly tolerated ingredients. It manifests itself by tightness, spots and redness , but quickly returns to its normal state once the triggering factors have been eliminated and soothing treatments have been applied.
This skin type is like a child's tantrum! A little attention and everything will be back to normal. This is not the case with irritated facial skin .
Irritated facial skin: persistent redness
Irritated skin shows lasting, visible and more invasive signs:
👉 Itching, tingling, untimely urges to scratch, tight eye contour, peeling, even micro-lesions that struggle to heal. Worse still, the irritation can be persistent, and the application of conventional cosmetic treatments is no longer enough to soothe it.
What causes facial skin irritation?
Before talking about solutions to regain a radiant complexion, the prerequisite is to identify the real factors causing irritated facial skin .
Environmental factors: the face facing the elements
The skin, especially that of the face, is subjected to the full force of the climate and air quality.
➡️ Wind, cold, heat in certain regions, or overheated homes in winter tend to weaken the skin barrier. Air pollution tends to clog pores and worsen skin irritation.
Add to that excessive exposure to UV rays without regular, proper sun protection, and you have the perfect recipe for irritated skin .
Unsuitable Cosmetics: The Hidden Enemies of the Bathroom
If only the latest cosmetic treatments kept their promise... we would all have flawless, glowing skin.
➡️ The first thing to point out (and not the least) : a large number of beauty products, creams, serums, oils and face masks contain ingredients that are irritating and poorly tolerated by the skin.
➡️ SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), phthalates, parabens, aluminum salts, and alcohol are particularly harsh on the skin, causing dehydration and irritation. If you have any doubts about the safety of a product or its composition, consider consulting the INCI Beauty website, which lists all the components of cosmetics and their effects.
Some products used too frequently or introduced into your routine suddenly can cause irritation. This is the case with exfoliants or certain active ingredients like vitamin C or retinol.
Internal factors: stress, hormones and other bodily hazards
Stress, fatigue and hormonal fluctuations are the ultimate trio for skin balance.
👉 Chronic stress affects the dermis's ability to regenerate and defend itself: the skin is more prone to redness, irritation and other imperfections;
👉 Hormonal imbalances : whether during a particular period of life (puberty, pregnancy, menopause) or in the case of long-term deregulation (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism) , hormonal fluctuations alter the regulation of sebum by the sebaceous glands, the natural and protective barrier function of the skin, making it prone to redness and irritation.
Daily habits that cause skin irritation
In addition to the internal and external factors mentioned above, certain habits can aggravate irritated facial skin :
➡️ Excessive rubbing by certain aggressive fabrics, cottons, towels, or exfoliating sponges on the face;
➡️ Shaving and hair removal: improper handling, damaged or poor quality razors or devices can cause redness and micro-cuts;
➡️ Wearing a mask for long periods: whether for medical, professional (or other) reasons, covering your face promotes the accumulation of moisture and bacteria under the fabric and the proliferation of invasive agents!
What are the signs and consequences of irritated skin on the face?
How do you know if your facial skin is irritated ? Here are the telltale signs of irritation and the long-term impact if not treated appropriately for your skin's needs.
The most common symptoms: when the skin sounds the alarm
Irritated facial skin isn't subtle: it's a clear sign that something is wrong! Redness, burning sensations, a reactive eyelid area, persistent itching, peeling skin... these are warning signs!
The skin may also become extremely dry, have micro-lesions or cuts, and experience a slowed regeneration process.
The consequences of long-term irritated skin
If you ignore these signs, the situation only gets worse! Chronic facial irritation weakens the skin barrier, making it even more vulnerable to external aggressions.
☝️ Other impact: an acceleration of skin aging, the early appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and the alteration of the general condition of the skin.
In other words, untreated irritated skin is skin in permanent pain.🥲
What are the best solutions to soothe and repair irritated skin?
Don't panic, there are effective solutions to soothe and repair irritated facial skin. And it all starts with a gentle routine and good daily practices.
A restorative routine to provide the softness that the skin deserves
The key words for irritated skin? Softness and soothing!
✅ For daily care: choose a sulfate-free, alcohol-free and perfume-free gel, lotion or cleansing milk, and clean your face with lukewarm water to avoid thermal shock;
✅ Hydration: opt for soothing, restorative creams containing ceramides or aloe vera, appreciated for their regenerative properties;
Effective solutions to accelerate skin healing
✅ If the situation is really critical and the irritation is overwhelming: opt for a regenerating balm containing centella asiatica, and add a drop of regenerating lavender essential oil (if you tolerate it) ;
✅ To quickly relieve discomfort: thermal waters, cold compresses, and a lotion based on cornflower or marshmallow hydrosol will be your best allies. To prolong their effect, consider soothing masks rich in ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, or apply a treatment enriched with shea butter.
✖️ No more harsh cleansers, controversial ingredients, or excessively powerful active ingredients.
Supporting the skin from within with hydration: the first beauty treatment
At the risk of repeating what you may have already heard, the first beauty reflex is internal hydration through sufficient water intake, but not only that:
✔️ Make sure you drink between 1.5 liters and 2 liters of water per day: adapt according to your physical activity;
✔️ Focus on a diet rich in polyunsaturated fats : focus on omega-3 (walnut oil, flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, almonds, hazelnuts, salmon, etc.);
✔️ Make the most of antioxidant foods to nourish the skin from the inside: vitamin A (dairy products, liver, egg yolk, carrots, mango, tomato, melon, etc.) , vitamin C (kiwi, acerola, sea buckthorn, citrus fruits, parsley, pepper) and vitamin E ( sunflower, safflower, canola and olive oil, spinach, broccoli, etc.) ;
✔️ Support skin's natural hydration and suppleness with dietary supplements.
Limiting external attacks: protecting means preventing
When your skin is in crisis and hyper-reactive, forget about skincare products containing retinoids, AHA/BHA, and vitamin C, which can worsen irritation. Remember to protect your skin from excessive friction and apply a mineral sunscreen to prevent further damage from UV rays.
When should you consult a dermatologist?
If, despite your best efforts, your skin shows no signs of improvement, it's best to seek the advice of a dermatologist. Persistent irritation, severe itching, or open lesions require the advice of a healthcare professional, who can prescribe appropriate creams or identify an underlying condition.
By adopting the right habits and identifying the causes of facial skin irritation, you can soothe your skin and repair it deeply. Listen to your skin's needs, adjust your routine, and, above all, treat your skin with the gentleness it deserves. 🫂
