Have you ever applied a skincare product and suddenly felt like your face is on fire? That skin burning sensation is equivalent to the sensation of your complexion covered in a swarm of angry fire ants. There’s so much mixed information on the internet as to what exactly is happening when your skin reacts in such an unexpected way. Let’s debunk the myths once and for all and figure out if you need to find a fire extinguisher. There’s always exceptions, so make sure you read to the end.
Feel the burn
Burning can be caused by one of two reasons. When you apply a product and your skin feels uncomfortable almost immediately, it’s possible you are experiencing a skin barrier disruption. This occurs when the pH of your skin (it’s happiest at 5.5) has been altered and the product is not compatible with your skin. The reaction can be so intense that the physical barrier may be compromised, resulting in little holes over your skin. When this occurs, you have little open windows on your complexion welcoming bacteria to enter. As you can imagine, breakouts, redness, and irritability (both on your skin’s part as possibly your mood as well) may be in your near future.
Another possible cause of burning skin is that you are experiencing an allergy to an ingredient in the product. This can cause contact dermatitis which presents iteself as a red, itchy rash. In both scenarios, it’s ideal to immediately stop using the product and apply a cold compress. For severe skin reactions, contact your medical health provider.
The exceptions
It’d be too easy to write off any burning sensation you receive from a product and to never use it again. But, there’s a difference between a burn and a tingle. It’s normal for skin to feel irritated or tingly if you’re introducing a new retinol into your skincare routine. It’s best to start using a retinol every three nights and gradually work your way up to every night as your skin’s tolerance increases. It’s also normal to feel tingly if you’re using an alpha hydroxy acid or getting a professional chemical peel. These tingly sensations should last no more than a few minutes.
