How to Relieve Skin Irritated by Face Wash

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Dealing with red, irritated skin from a harsh face wash? We're here to help. We've got all the best tips for immediate relief so you can soothe and moisturize your skin. Plus, we've created a guide on how to choose the best face wash for your skin type so this doesn't happen again. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to relieve skin irritated by face wash.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Relieving Skin Irritated by Face Wash

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  1. One of the most common treatments for dry skin (caused by a face wash or not) is petroleum jelly. This jelly is gentle on the skin. [1] The American Academy of Dermatology recommends petroleum jelly over other consumer products for mild dry skin and general irritation. It is inexpensive and can be purchased at most grocery stores and pharmacies. [2]
  2. Aloe vera is a miracle plant. It alleviates discomfort associated with most skin conditions — e.g. sunburns and dry and irritated skin. You can grow your own aloe vera. If you use it in its natural form, cut one of the leaves off the plant and squeeze the gel out. Rub the gel on your irritated skin. If this doesn’t sound pleasant, you can purchase aloe vera in dozens of different brands and scents at the pharmacy or grocery store. [3]
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  3. Incredibly hot or cold water can actually damage your skin, sending your skin cells into shock. Use room temperature water instead and just make sure that you are rinsing your face completely. If you think you might have residual soap on your face, then rinse one more time than normal.
    • Soap residue can clog pores just like grease and make up can, but instead of breakouts, your skin breaks down after prolonged exposure to the base soap. [4]
  4. If your face wash irritates your skin, it probably is removing too many oils. A moisturizer will add good oils back into your skin and help seal water in your skin. Dehydrated skin leads to irritation, dryness, flaking, and general discomfort. [5] The key to a good skin care program is a good moisturizer.
    • Moisturizers that contain humectants (substances that reduce water loss) are very effective. Look for moisturizers with urea, alpha hydroxy acids called lactic acid or glycolic acid, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid in the ingredient list. If you find them there, then you’ve found a great moisturizer. [6]
  5. Scrubbing your skin roughly or using harsh products can definitely lead to irritation. If you have dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, use a chemical exfoliator (i.e. a product that contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids) and a washcloth to exfoliate. If you have thick or oily skin, go for mechanical exfoliation (i.e. use an exfoliating tool like a brush or sponge). [7]
    • There's no set schedule for exfoliation, as it really depends on the product you use and your skin type. Try it once or twice a week and gradually work up to doing it more often. If you notice redness or irritation, you're exfoliating too much.
  6. Don’t scratch . Too often dry skin itches and we scratch and scratch and scratch. Doing so only further damages your skin and can possibly lead to secondary bacterial infections of the skin. If you develop such an infection, you may need antibiotics or at the very least you will prolong any skin issues. Fight the urge to scratch. Use other means of combating that itch. [8]
  7. If your skin gets too painful, remains dry and irritated for a long period of time, or results in bleeding, see your dermatologist. [9] They may prescribe a new hygienic program or a prescription medication for your skin type. They will also be able to identify if you have a more chronic skin issue — unrelated to your face wash — like eczema or rosacea.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Picking the Right Face Wash

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  1. Too often we just pick a face wash based off of a commercial or the recommendation of a friend with “better” skin than ours. The problem is that everyone’s skin is different, so a soap made for naturally oily skin will strip too many valuable oils from someone’s non-oily skin. Or a face wash engineered for dry skin won’t adequately remove oils accumulated over the course of a day on someone’s naturally oily face. So ask yourself this question: Is my face naturally oily or naturally dry? [10]
  2. Face soaps come is a variety of different types. Bars, foams, non-foaming, soap-free, cleansing balms, micellar, oil-based, and medicated. Most only require water to be activated and used effectively. Micellar face washes are already watery and only need a cotton swab or pad to be applied and removed.
  3. These two ingredients tend to be too extreme for most people. Sodium laureth sulfate is a little milder than its more extreme counterpart — sodium lauryl sulfate — but both will still irritate skin susceptible to strong soaps.
    • If your favorite soap has these “bad” ingredients listed on the side of the package, you may want to consider switching to a different cleanser. While there is some controversy around the use of sodium lauryl sulfate, prolonged use may be linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation and endocrine disruption. [12]
  4. Some consumers assume that higher price points equate to a better product, but as we’ve already established, everyone’s skin is different, so some might love an expensive product, while others won’t find them equally satisfying. Read a broad spectrum of reviews written by people who’ve used the product before you try it. See if they complain about dryness afterwards, lingering scents, breakouts, or any other dermatological issue that might send up a red flare or make your skin red and itchy.
  5. Everyone’s skin fluctuates between greasy and dry, oily and non-oily. Things like stress, climate, daily activities, contact with pollutants, and other factors can dramatically change your skin. Visit a dermatologist and ask what the best face wash is for you based on your skin type. They may even prescribe a couple of different face washes to accommodate your fluctuating skin. [13]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you figure out your skin type?
    Paul Friedman, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
    Paul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine.
    Paul Friedman, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
    Expert Answer
    Ask yourself if your skin is oily, dry, or a combination of both. The answer will dictate what type of therapy your skin needs in terms of cleansers, moisturizers, and over-the-counter remedies.
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  • Question
    How can you avoid irritating your skin during your skincare routine?
    Paul Friedman, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
    Paul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine.
    Paul Friedman, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
    Expert Answer
    Try to avoid using exfoliating products that are too aggressive on your skin or products that may contain irritating ingredients. I recommend using gentle cleansers instead. It's also important to wash your face twice a day, especially at the end of the day. This will help remove the debris and oil that accumulates on your skin throughout the day. Many people unfortunately don't wash their face as often as they should.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4885180/
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/petroleum-jelly
      3. ↑ https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(02)48212-0/pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4171909/
      5. ↑ Paul Friedman, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology. Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/keratosis-pilaris/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351152
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
      8. ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/itch/page7.htm#what_are_possible_complications_of_itching
      9. ↑ Paul Friedman, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology. Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.
      1. ↑ Paul Friedman, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology. Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.
      2. ↑ Paul Friedman, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology. Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/706110-SODIUM_LAURYL_SULFATE/
      4. ↑ Paul Friedman, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology. Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If your skin is feeling irritated after using face wash, try rinsing your face with room temperature water to remove any soap that might still be on there. Also, apply some aloe vera to your skin to relieve any discomfort from your dry skin. If your face wash regularly irritates your skin, it might be removing too many oils. To rehydrate your skin, apply a moisturizer after you wash. When you buy face wash, avoid soaps with ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate and alcohol, as these are typically too strong for most skin types. Instead, look up consumer reviews and pick a face wash that works best for skin with the same oiliness as yours. For irritation that gets too painful or lasts for a long time, see a dermatologist for a diagnosis and treatment plan. To learn more from our Medical co-author, like how to treat cracked skin, read on.

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