Our Tips to Soothing Redness and Skin Irritation

TAGS: FACE CLEANSER, RED SKIN, SKIN IRRITATION, SUNSCREEN, MINERAL SUNSCREEN, FACE CLEANSER, RETINOL CREAM, ANTI AGING CREAM, GEL MASK, FACE MASK, OIL FREE SERUM

Our Tips to Soothing Redness and Skin Irritation

1. Skincare
2. Acne treatment
3. Professional treatments
4. The product basics for soothing redness and skin irritation
   •    a. Face cleanser
   •    b. Soothing serum
   •    c. Moisturizer
   •    d. Mineral Sunscreen
   •    e. Face Masks

The factors that irritate skin may be out of our hands. There is always something to be done about skin irritation. The first step is understanding why you’re experiencing red skin or skin irritation—and then you can actually do something about it.

1. Skincare

Although skincare is extremely important, it can be a factor causing redness and irritation. The introduction of new ingredients can possibly cause irritation as the skin adjusts, especially in those with more sensitive skin. Sensitive skin can have a rough go with any sort of exfoliation. This is temporary, and generally resolves shortly after product use, or as the skin becomes “conditioned” with ongoing use. Although many dermatologists consider retinol to be the gold standard for preventing and improving visible signs of aging, this ingredient can cause skin irritation if it isn’t introduced properly—which means limiting application to once or twice a week and increasing use and the skin demonstrates tolerance. The concentration of the retinol can also play a factor in how well your skin reacts to the product; with higher concentrations comes more reactions.

2. Acne treatment

Traditional acne treatments use harsher ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, and those carry a high risk of skin irritation . This ingredient commonly causes dryness, flaking and peeling, on top of red skin on face. However, it’s possible to get away with an acne treatment with minimal skin irritation as long as you use ingredients that are specifically formulated to be effective while being gentle on the skin. This is important for sensitive skin types. Try out SkinCeuticals face cleanser LHA Cleansing Gel and LHA Toner, which feature a well-tolerated blend of exfoliating acids to prevent clogged pores and subsequent breakouts. When paired with the retinol face creams Retinol 0.3 or Retinol 0.5 (and introduced properly), these products can provide significant skin clearing without unwanted side effects.

3. Professional treatments

By nature, many professional, office-based skin treatments create a controlled injury that activates the skin’s natural regeneration process—and temporary skin irritation or redness is to be expected. Proper post-procedure skincare can help reduce the look of red skin on face, promote optimal healing, and ensure the best possible end results.

When it comes to microneedling and laser treatments, the positive benefits of pre- and post-procedure skincare have been proven. One study showed that C E Ferulic® and Hydrating B5 Gel were well-tolerated in conjunction with microneedling treatments, and that post-treatment dryness was significantly improved with an at-home skincare regimen that included these products. Additional research has found that when applied immediately after non-ablative laser treatment, the permeability of C E Ferulic® is significantly enhanced without compromising the skin barrier, in turn increasing improvement in visible pigment.

4. The product basics for soothing red skin on face and skin irritation

There is nothing to prioritize more than a proper skincare regimen post-procedure, with gentle products. With a few exceptions, this skin routine can help irritated skin get back on track and improve the appearance of redness while soothing the sensation of heat.

a. Face cleanser: Unless you’re instructed otherwise by a skincare professional, it’s still important to cleanse even if the skin is experiencing irritation. A mild, soap-free face cleanser is key, and our Soothing Cleanser features gentle surfactants and calming botanicals in a cloud-like foam formulation.

b. Soothing serum: Offering hydration courtesy of hyaluronic acid plus a comforting botanical blend of cucumber, thyme, olive leaf, and more, Phyto Corrective Gel is an oil-free serum that can be used to soothe irritated, visibly red skin as needed, or daily to keep reactive skin calm. And as an added bonus, this serum can help minimize the appearance of discoloration without any unwanted side effects.

c. Moisturizer: Hydration is especially important when experiencing skin irritation, as it’s essential to maintain moisture levels and reinforce the skin’s protective barrier. In cases of severely dry or post-procedure skin, a face moisturizer such as Hydrating B5 Masque is a gel mask that can be used as a moisturizer to create a protective layer on the skin that helps soothe and lock in moisture. For skin acclimating to the introduction of retinol, our Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti-aging cream that has been found to improve dryness, enhance tolerability, and shorten the adjustment period by up to one week .

d. Mineral Sunscreen: Look no further than SkinCeuticals for the best mineral sunscreen for post-procedure care. All of our mineral-based sunscreens are safe for sensitive or post-procedure skin and play a key role in protecting vulnerable skin and giving it a chance to recover.

e. Face Masks: Uncomfortable or visibly red skin on face needs extra soothing, and SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque is a gentle face mask clinically proven to reduce the sensation of heat and discomfort. This intensive face mask can be used as needed to calm visibly red skin on face and skin irritation after professional skin treatments —or any time for that matter.