Itchy? Flaky? Red, inflamed skin? No, your skincare routine shouldn’t burn or sting. If you’re experiencing excessive irritation on a routine basis it’s time to face the facts that your routine may be doing more harm than good. Here’s how to tell:

According to Dr. DiAnne Davis, a cosmetic dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology Associates, “If you start to notice any irritation, dryness, peeling, stinging, burning, or any other uncomfortable symptom, then that could be a sign that the routine or the product is damaging your skin.” She notes that it may take a couple of days for your skin to adjust to a new product but continued, uncomfortable reactions should never persist. For example, just started using a chemical exfoliator? Some minor tingling is completely normal but if you’re feeling intense burning after every use that’s a sign it may be damaging your skin barrier aka the most important part of your skin.

Constantly damaging your built-in bodyguard can ultimately reduce your skin’s elasticity and ability to recover as quickly. More specifically, Dr. Davis adds, “Several possible side effects include but are not limited to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (affected skin is darker than normal), post-inflammatory hypopigmentation (affected skin is lighter than normal), post-inflammatory erythema (persistent redness on affected areas of the skin), allergic reactions (referred to as allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis), chemical burns, superficial abrasions or cuts in the skin, and possibly even small scars.” Is it worth it? Definitely not.

Itchy? Flaky? Red, inflamed skin? No, your skincare routine shouldn’t burn or sting. If you’re experiencing excessive irritation on a routine basis it’s time to face the facts that your routine may be doing more harm than good. Here’s how to tell:

According to Dr. DiAnne Davis, a cosmetic dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology Associates, “If you start to notice any irritation, dryness, peeling, stinging, burning, or any other uncomfortable symptom, then that could be a sign that the routine or the product is damaging your skin.” She notes that it may take a couple of days for your skin to adjust to a new product but continued, uncomfortable reactions should never persist. For example, just started using a chemical exfoliator? Some minor tingling is completely normal but if you’re feeling intense burning after every use that’s a sign it may be damaging your skin barrier aka the most important part of your skin.

Constantly damaging your built-in bodyguard can ultimately reduce your skin’s elasticity and ability to recover as quickly. More specifically, Dr. Davis adds, “Several possible side effects include but are not limited to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (affected skin is darker than normal), post-inflammatory hypopigmentation (affected skin is lighter than normal), post-inflammatory erythema (persistent redness on affected areas of the skin), allergic reactions (referred to as allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis), chemical burns, superficial abrasions or cuts in the skin, and possibly even small scars.” Is it worth it? Definitely not.

Instead of evoking the rage of a damaged barrier we recommend that you start by removing any harsh cleansers from your routine that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Case in point - oil-based cleansers! They’re effective at removing dirt, debris, and SPF without disturbing your skin’s microbiome. The Rice Cleansing Sorbet is a perfect example as the creamy blend of rice bran oil, wheat germ oil, and vitamin E gets to work cleansing and hydrating your skin in just one step.

Next, stop the chemical exfoliation irritation! We’re not saying you can’t use them but rather it’s incredibly easy to overuse them. To soften the effects, try sandwiching them between two layers of moisturizer to protect while you treat. This moisturizer barrier allows your actives to penetrate without irritating your skin. We recommend looking for ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids when sandwiching to reinforce your barrier and keep it intact. Don’t forget to stick with the recommended usage on the bottle!

Instead of evoking the rage of a damaged barrier we recommend that you start by removing any harsh cleansers from your routine that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Case in point - oil-based cleansers! They’re effective at removing dirt, debris, and SPF without disturbing your skin’s microbiome. The Rice Cleansing Sorbet is a perfect example as the creamy blend of rice bran oil, wheat germ oil, and vitamin E gets to work cleansing and hydrating your skin in just one step.

Next, stop the chemical exfoliation irritation! We’re not saying you can’t use them but rather it’s incredibly easy to overuse them. To soften the effects, try sandwiching them between two layers of moisturizer to protect while you treat. This moisturizer barrier allows your actives to penetrate without irritating your skin. We recommend looking for ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids when sandwiching to reinforce your barrier and keep it intact. Don’t forget to stick with the recommended usage on the bottle!

If you’re on the drier side, try pairing our soothing Tofu Gel Cream with the nourishing Fig Renewal Oil between your actives to balance and help protect your skin. This combo is a match made in heaven to effectively hydrate and lock in moisture while fortifying your skin barrier. If you’ve been dealing with barrier damage, this blend is the soothing relief you need.

If you’re on the drier side, try pairing our soothing Tofu Gel Cream with the nourishing Fig Renewal Oil between your actives to balance and help protect your skin. This combo is a match made in heaven to effectively hydrate and lock in moisture while fortifying your skin barrier. If you’ve been dealing with barrier damage, this blend is the soothing relief you need.