Dry Skin Burning After Lotion
Introduction
When using a skin care product, such as lotion, a significant majority of individuals experience a burning feeling. This is mostly due to inadequate skin barrier function and the presence of certain chemicals in the skin care product. On this basis, the following article explains in detail why applying moisturizing lotion to dry skin causes a burning or stinging feeling.
Why Does Moisturizing Lotion create burning or stinging sensation after application on Dry Skin?
The two primary causes of a burning or stinging feeling after applying lotion to dry skin are a deficient skin barrier and particular moisturizing product chemicals. The outermost layer of your skin, known as the skin barrier, is only a few micrometers thick. Smaller than the width of a human hair, scientifically speaking. Dead cells, natural lipids, and proteins make up the skin’s protective barrier. Moisturizing can be irritating or even painful as you age because your skin loses its “strong” barrier and becomes more porous. Damage to the protective barrier allows invading irritants, chemicals, germs, allergies, and viruses. It’s possible that you’re not utilizing the items properly or that they’re too harsh for your skin. Another possibility is that you have developed an allergy to a component of your current skincare routine. Consult a dermatologist or other skincare expert if you can’t figure out what’s causing the burning sensation.
Possible Causes
+ Reduced Skin Barrier Condition or Skin Sunburn
The proteins, lipids, as well as dead cells that make up the skin’s outermost layer make up the skin barrier. Intact skin prevents allergens from accessing the protective outer layer of skin and decreases the rate at which water is lost, both of which contribute to the appearance of health. When the skin’s protective barrier is compromised, however, chemicals, irritants, viruses, bacteria, and allergens can enter the body and cause irritation and inflammation, which can manifest as a burning feeling and other unpleasant side effects.
+ Due to Harsh Ingredients such Acids
Lotions can provide a burning feeling due to alpha and beta hydroxy acids, surfactants as well as emulsifiers, preservatives, alcohols, and scents. Acne, irritation, pimples, and stinging or burning sensations are all possible side effects of the chemicals used in many lotions, even if they serve various purposes.
+ Allergies
A skin allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to a normally safe substance, causing irritation of the skin. An allergic reaction describes this situation. Itching, burning, redness, pimples, hives, and swelling are all symptoms of an allergic reaction. Allergies are triggered by a wide variety of substances. Finding the offending allergen and staying away from it is the greatest strategy to prevent further skin reactions from an allergy. Taking topical allergies into account is important.
+ pH Level of Products or Poor Product Formulation
A burning sensation that gradually increases after using a cosmetic product is one of the most terrifying things that can happen. No matter how many problems a product claims to solve for your skin, if it causes even the tiniest amount of discomfort, you should remove it immediately. When the skin burns, the pH level is off. Since skin is acidic by nature, a stinging sensation when applying a moisturizer indicates that the two are not compatible.
+ Frequencies of Application
Using too much moisturizer might lead to a decrease in the skin’s natural moisture production and a sluggish appearance. Excessive moisturization tells your skin that it doesn’t need to produce as much water, lipids, and protein (the skin’s building blocks), which can lead to a dry, irritated appearance.
+ Climate
The negative effects of sun exposure can be exacerbated by the fact that climate change can increase both UV radiation and environmental contaminants that induce free radical damage. Premature skin aging is caused by or exacerbated by the oxidative stress caused by exposure to air pollution. The skin may be negatively impacted by exposure to extreme temperatures. This is because dry air can induce psoriasis and heightened sensitivity, while cold temperatures can cause the skin’s natural oil barrier to be stripped away.
+ Razor Burn can Cause Sensitive Skin
While it’s true that a razor blade may effectively remove dead skin and cut through even the thickest of hairs, it also has the potential to leave skin more vulnerable to dryness especially the sensitive skin. The reason behind this is that prolonged exposure to water causes the skin to dry up. After razor burn, apply a cream or oil to your skin to help restore its natural moisture and prepare it for the next time you shave. If you don’t use razor blade properly, you risk further irritating your skin. And there are a lot of good reasons for it to be the case. Perhaps you opted not to use shaving cream this time around, or you failed to replace the old, worn-out blades with new, sharp ones. It’s crucial to figure out what’s causing skin irritation and make the required adjustments if you’re experiencing it. Be sure to include a body lotion in your grooming routine alongside new blades and appropriate shaving tools to ensure your skin stays hydrated at all times.
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When and How to Avoid?
Avoiding skin damage is preferable to dealing with the stinging feeling that sometimes follows the use of lotion, especially if your skin is already dry. Here are some tried-and-true strategies for minimizing pain.
+ Warning Signs
Before applying the lotion, be on the lookout for any potential side effects. A strong unpleasant odor is a red flag that the product is not a good match for your skin. Use your nose. A super-scented lotion may be great, but it doesn’t imply it’s the best option for you. If you’re sensitive to odors, it’s best to buy from a business that offers free samples before making a final decision.
+ Use Soothing Ingredients
Soothing and calming ingredients like aloe-vera and chamomile are wonderful for the skin. Don’t use anything that could potentially irritate your skin, such as harsh chemicals.
+ Get Fragrance-free Products
Perfumes and fragrances can cause severe irritation to the skin for many people. Apply fragrance-free lotions to avoid skin irritation and the possibility of being stung.
+ Avoid Products with Drying Alcohol Ingredients in It
Drying and irritating, ethyl alcohol can cause damage to your skin. Moisturizers with high alcohol content can irritate already damaged skin by seeping into fine lines and wrinkles.
+ Always Wear Sunscreen
Don’t be deceived by the fact that you’ll only be out in the sun for 20 minutes or that it’s winter and you’re wearing a hat. Sunburn is a surefire method to feel the sting of your moisturizer because the sun’s UV rays are always lurking.
+ Keep your Showers Short and Warm
If your skin tends to grow dry easily, you should limit the length and temperature of your showers.
+ Patch Test
The term “patch testing” refers to a method of determining which substances may cause skin irritation. Numerous skin care products have allergen-inducing ingredients. It is possible to find out if a product has components that may cause a skin reaction by conducting a patch test at home.
In order to successfully patch test a new skincare product, the AAD suggests the following:
• Test the product on a tiny area of skin that will not be washed or rubbed off easily. The inside of the arm or the inside of the elbow can be good spots.
• Use the product on a small area of skin, about the size of a quarter. The product should be applied as liberally as one would when using it on a regular basis.
• Instruct the patient to leave the product on the affected area for the recommended amount of time. Keep the patch on for 5 minutes, or as long as the directions say to if testing a product that would normally be washed off, such as a cleanser.
• The patch test should be done twice a day for 7-10 days. It’s vital to keep applying the product for at least that long in case a reaction doesn’t happen right away.
• If you experience any sort of skin irritation after using the product, please discontinue use and wash it off right away. The skin can be soothed with a cool compress or petroleum jelly.
There is a wide variety of possible components in skin care products. One’s skin may become irritated or possibly react allergically to some of these components. One can determine how their skin reacts to a product by first applying it to a tiny area of skin (a “patch test”) before applying it to a wider region.
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Skin Routine for Barrier Treatment and Restoring It
Your skin acts as a barrier, keeping harmful free radicals out of your system. Damage is frequently brought on by harsh surroundings. You can keep it safe by applying oils and ceramides. Seek emergency medical help if you suffer a chemical burn from a skin care product. While waiting for medical attention, you can clean the wound with cool water and cover it with a sterile bandage. Keep the area out of direct sunlight and away from excessive heat, and don’t use any additional skincare products on it. Chemical burns can be caused by using skin care products that contain acids like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic.
Skin irritation can be caused by a number of factors, including allergic reactions, irritation, or burn-like symptoms. Among the many undesirable effects of skin-care products that actually do harm to the skin is inflammation. Antibiotics and corticosteroids are effective in treating chemo burns, but doctors do not advise taking the drug systemically. Some skin care products may contain chemicals that can help with chemical burns or burn-like symptoms.
Any dermatologist can help you figure out what products to use and which to avoid to maintain your skin healthy as it heals. One of the most frequent components of acne treatments is salicylic acid. Forms of vitamin A called retinoids, of which retinol is one example, have been shown to be extremely damaging to the skin. Retinol burns occur when retinoids are used for the first time or in large amounts. The use of AHAs and BHAs increases the skin’s susceptibility to UV rays, both from the sun and tanning beds.
In the event that you have contact dermatitis, you may also get eczema. Start off with administering the new product once per week, and then work your way up to twice per week. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor right away. If you experience chemical burns from a skin care product, it is crucial to consult a doctor right once.
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Choose creams instead of lotions (some lotions formulated with alcohol)
For a soothing cream without added fragrances or colors, try Eucerin’s Skin Calming Cream. Using a well-known brand, such as Cerave or Cetaphil, will improve your skin’s resistance to burning. If you have a sensitivity to fragrances, dyes, or other irritants and your moisturizer contains any of these, you may get an unpleasant reaction. Acne-prone skin calls for a specially formulated moisturizer. Once you’ve found a moisturizer that works for your skin, you should apply it at least twice daily.
Conclusion
Many factors can contribute to a stinging sensation after applying moisturizer, but in most cases, the culprit is the one element found in every moisturizer: water. There are some components, like alcohols and scents, that can irritate the skin, but in most cases, the concentration is so low that you shouldn’t experience any stinging. The majority of people can attest to the mild discomfort caused by water entering the nasal passages. Differences in salt concentration between pool or tap water and the water or fluid already present in the cells of the nose are to blame for this phenomenon. Cells in the nose suddenly enlarge, alerting nerves to the brain that something is wrong.
Water makes up the majority (or even all) of a cream’s composition. Dry skin is similar in that it rapidly absorbs water and swells, sending a signal to the brain via the skin’s nerves that something is wrong. The only effect that ointments and oils have on the skin is to act as a barrier, which does not moisten it. Another possibility is that you have developed an allergy to a component of your current skincare routine. Talk to a dermatologist or other skincare expert if you can’t figure out what’s causing the irritation.