Irritated skin is the worst (as if we don’t already have things to stress about!). Whether you’re suffering from a bout of acne, a mysterious red rash, or reacting insanely to the weather, dealing with irritated skin can be exasperating. Yet, you’re doing all the right things in your skincare routine. So, why is your skin irritated, and what can you do about it? Here’s how you can calm irritated skin and get your glow back!

Why Your Sensitive Skin May Be Irritated

To understand how YOU can better care for your irritated skin, it’s essential to know what could be causing the irritation in the first place. So here are the top reasons your skin is freaking out right now.

Maybe you’re not sure what your skin type is, or perhaps it’s changing over time (or with the seasons!). But either way, you could be using the “wrong skincare products”. For example, if you have combination skin but find that it gets drier in the wintertime, your cleanser may suddenly be too harsh and leave your skin feeling dry, itchy, or irritated.

#1 You’re Using the Wrong Products

Skin irritation is a sign that something’s not right. And if you have sensitive skin, to begin with, you need to be extra vigilant about choosing the right products. The best ones to stay away from to calm irritated skin? Exfoliants, alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and fragrance.

#2 You’ve Been Stressed Out

If you’ve been stressing lately—and hey, who hasn’t?—your skin could be experiencing the consequences. And if you’re struggling already with oily or acne-prone skin, stress can make it worse or even make it so that blemishes don’t heal as quickly.

Stress can also cause low-grade inflammation, which can have a range of effects on the body, including causing your skin to be more irritated. Some research even associates low-grade inflammation with skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema.

#3 You’ve Been Eating More Junk Food

Suppose you eat your fruits and veggies on the reg, good for you. But if you’ve been eating more junk food, your skin could suddenly be angry and irritated. Eating many processed foods or sugar (or, ahem, both) can increase chronic inflammation in your body. And can make it harder for your skin to maintain its healthy glow. Instead, skin can be flaky, irritated, or even have severe breakouts.

#4 You Overdid Your Skincare Routine

We’ve all been here—your skin was looking a little lackluster. So you went crazy with your chemical peels, spot treatments, and retinol. And now, your skin is looking like anything but its old self—it’s red, irritated, and looks like you spent a bad weekend at the beach.

Try not to beat yourself up about overdoing it with your skincare products and instead give your skin a chance to breathe and heal—and in the meantime, but super gentle with it and don’t exfoliate!

#5 You’ve Been Picking

Everyone knows that picking your skin is terrible… but so many of us are guilty of it! If you went a little overboard and picked your entire face, you’re likely experiencing some angry skin right now. Unfortunately, marks from picking usually don’t go away overnight, so you’ll probably need some pointers about how to calm irritated skin to get your smooth, gorgeous complexion back.

Ingredients to Calm Irritated Skin

Now that you’ve seen why your skin can be irritated, it’s time to learn about some helpful ingredients that can work to calm irritated skin.

• Aloe

You know aloe as the clear, sticky substance from that cute plant that has a cooling effect on your skin. But aloe isn’t just good for sunburn—it also can calm irritated skin and is super gentle.

• Chamomile

This flower can help treat dry, inflamed, and reactive skin and has a soothing effect that’s effective yet calming for irritated skin. Many products for sensitive skin use chamomile!

• Rose

Rosewater may help damaged skin and it works as a hydrator. Meaning you can use rose water as a gentle toner after cleansing. Plus, it has an intoxicating natural smell.

• Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide has anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, making it an essential addition to your skincare routine to calm irritated skin. You can find niacinamide in toners, serums, and moisturizers.

• Green tea

Green tea contains antioxidants that contribute to its anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. And you “don’t have to drink green tea” to reap the benefits. You’ll find green tea extract in toners, moisturizers, and serums.

Irritated skin often responds better to more natural products rather than harsh or synthetic chemicals. Remember that the cause of your skin irritation and your skin type will influence which “botanicals” could benefit you!

Habits to Keep Your Skin Calm

So, now that you have the idea of how to calm irritated skin, what can you do to keep your skin calm, glowing, and content?

1. Get plenty of sleep

Getting enough sleep not only helps you better manage your stress, but also can help reduce wrinkles, sagging skin, and inflammation.

2. Eat well

Be sure you’re eating enough fresh fruits and veggies, but it’s also essential to get enough omega-3s in your diet, which can help combat dry skin. Best sources? Fatty fish (such as salmon), walnuts, and avocadoes.

3. Use the right products

Know your skin type and use products suited for your skin type to support graceful aging and keep your skin glowy and beautiful at any age. The right products will be your ally for “healthy, calm skin”!

4. Exercise

Research shows that exercise helps reduce inflammation and supports healthy aging, which may help keep your skin firm, calm and beautiful.

YOUR beautiful skin deserves to be calm and ready to handle whatever the day brings. You can support your skin by adopting these habits and being aware of “what triggers your skin irritation”

Do You Know Your Skincare Type? Then, take the FREE Skincare Quiz!

Knowing your skincare type is the first step to taking the best care of your complexion and calm, irritated skin. Do you know YOUR skincare type? Take our free skincare quiz to find out now!

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