Blemishes on the face are never attractive. When they appear, people of all ages want a quick fix. They may head to the medicine cabinet to see what is available and use whatever they find. It doesn’t matter if the product is expired if the blemish disappears. They may use multiple products, hoping one will work and the blemish will magically be erased.
Piling product after product on inflamed skin is never a wise move. It often worsens the problem and covering it up or fixing it will be more challenging. What should a person do when their skin is inflamed? Fortunately, there is skincare for inflammation such as this. Which products should be used and when?
Excessive Acid
When a person applies several products to the skin, particularly products with the same ingredients, they can have raw, burning skin and a bigger problem than they started with. Products that contain acid break down the skin cells before dissolving them. They have many uses, but a person can overdo them. Excessive acid burns and erodes the skin’s top layer.
To fix this problem, look for products that are gentle and all-natural. A foaming deep cleanser is an excellent place to start because it doesn’t contain abrasives that can irritate the skin further. Follow up with a thick moisturizer and Vaseline. Many people are surprised to learn Vaseline is excellent for treating inflamed skin, but it’s what doctors use following certain procedures. The Vaseline protects the area so the skin can heal and rebuild. People often hesitate to use this product because they worry it will block their pores, but studies show it won’t.
Start with a gentle, skin-repairing cream to help the skin heal. Follow up with Vaseline, using it on irritated areas. Do this nightly until the skin fully heals. Skin needs four weeks to regenerate, so be patient. The problem will be resolved with time, and an important lesson will be learned.
Excessive Retinol
Retinol peels skin layers off, allowing healthy, glowing cells to shine through. People may use more retinol than needed and discover that their skin is peeling drastically. Retinoids stimulate collagen production, so new, fresh skin appears. They also decrease the time needed for existing cells to shed.
Retinoids are beneficial in many situations. They help remove wrinkles, acne, dark spots, and other blemishes by sloughing off old, discolored skin to leave behind a fresh, smooth surface. However, excessive use causes more skin cells to peel off than to be rejuvenated, leaving the skin flaky and irritated.
Avoid picking, peeling, or scrubbing off the flakes. Many people take this step only to regret it. Doing so will cause more flakes to appear, and removing fresh skin can lead to scars. Intense hydration is the best way to address retinol overuse.
Slather hyaluronic acid serum on the face and cover it with a sheet mask. Let the mask remain in place for 20 minutes to hydrate and moisturize the skin. Allowing it to sit for this length should eliminate any visible flakes. To address the flakes, use a gentle, hydrating moisturizer twice daily.
Do not use retinol products until the skin fully heals. This process could take five to seven days, so remain patient. Once the skin has healed, slowly add a retinol product to the skincare routine. Only use it one night during the first week, two nights during the second week, and build up until it is used every other night.
Acne
Men and women make horrible decisions when their skin breaks out. They pick at zits, somehow thinking this will make things better. When they suddenly have blood on their face, oozing patches, and swollen bumps, they realize they made things worse instead of better. Now, they have a much bigger problem that they cannot hide. How can they get their face back to normal as soon as possible?
First, people must sit on their hands and stop picking at their faces. That does nothing but make things worse. Next, they need to wait for the skin to heal. It starts with a gentle face wash that will hydrate the skin. The goal is to avoid anything that could irritate the skin more. Don’t use a harsh toner, foaming face wash, exfoliating scrub, or acne treatment. They will irritate the skin more and extend the healing time.
Oozing and bleeding zits should be covered with a pimple patch to protect them from further harm. Leave these patches in place overnight or eight or nine hours if worn during the day. The patches will allow the skin to heal and minimize any scarring. Put moisturizer on the rest of the face and then leave it alone.
Leave cystic zits alone. They are under the skin and squeezing them increases the inflammation. While each bump may be hard and painful, squeezing it won’t resolve anything. The goal must be to reduce the inflammation quickly. Wrap an ice cube with a paper towel and place it on the zit. Keep it in place for ten minutes and follow up with one percent hydrocortisone cream. This cream helps reduce swelling and inflammation.
Overuse of Products
People may follow a skincare routine religiously only to find they still break out regularly. They assume they are dealing with acne, but it may be perioral dermatitis (POD). Chemical irritants can lead to a reaction that mimics acne. The skin develops small, red bumps that may itch.
Many people don’t know they have POD and try many things only to find nothing works. Their skincare products are to blame, but they don’t know that they continue to harm the skin every time they follow their skincare routine. Visit a dermatologist or request an online consultation. While waiting for the appointment, try benzoyl peroxide spot treatments. If they work, acne is to blame for the bumps. If the treatments don’t work, the dermatologist will probably need to prescribe a topical ointment.
Skin issues can be challenging to identify and treat. If the above tips don’t work, see a dermatologist. They will determine how to treat the problem for clear, smooth skin again. Once the skin is clear again, choose the right skincare products to reduce problems in the future.
