Why does my dry skin burn

Have you ever excitedly purchased a new skincare product—cleanser, serum, moisturizer, or other “miracle in a jar”—only to put it on your face and experience a burning sensation rivaling the fiery pits of hell? It turns out that this burning or stinging feeling is trying to tell you something. The message? Stop.

What causes the burning sensation

When your skin burns or stings after applying a topical product, that’s your nociceptors (also called pain receptors) indicating that the product is irritating and potentially harming the skin. And because inflammation often accompanies irritation, it’s a sign that the product may be disrupting the skin barrier, the outermost layer of the epidermis that protects skin from bacteria, fungus, and other harmful microorganisms.

It could mean you need to ease into your new routine

When your skin first starts to sting, you may think this means the product is working. Dr. Suzanne Friedler, a board-certified dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology PC in New York City, disagrees, saying, “I do not follow that reasoning of ‘no pain, no gain’ and ‘feel the burn.’”

However, it’s possible that your skin needs time to adjust to a product if it’s new to your routine. Retinols, for example, can take some easing into. If the burning is decreasing—either in intensity or in how long the sensation lasts—with each application, that's a good sign your skin is adjusting to the product. To help it along, try applying a moisturizer to your skin to build up your barrier, then the retinol (or other product that’s triggering the minor irritation), followed up by another layer of moisturizer. Or reduce application frequency of the new product from twice a day to once a day, or once a day to every other day until your skin adapts.

It could mean you’re allergic to an ingredient

If the burning intensifies after each application of a product or if you break out in a rash, Friedler strongly suggests speaking to a dermatologist, as contact dermatitis (a skin rash) occurs when you’re exposed to an allergen or an irritant. If you’re allergic to an ingredient, the reaction typically occurs within 12 to 72 hours after exposure, according to the Cleveland Clinic, while irritants can cause an immediate reaction.

It turns out that this burning or stinging feeling is trying to tell you something. The message? Stop.

What’s more, it could be a double whammy of both the adjustment period and an allergic reaction. “When your skin is already inflamed, it’s more sensitive to allergens; it’s more sensitive in general,” she says. “You could put on a cream that normally wouldn’t irritate it, but that cream could irritate it at that time because your skin is inflamed.”

The bottom line: If you’re experiencing issues for a week or more, discontinue the new product, and see your dermatologist if issues persist.

It could be normal

The only exception to all of this? If you received a treatment in a doctor’s office, such as a chemical peel. “A little bit of burning may be normal with that, but [with] your at-home products, you really should not be feeling any level of discomfort at all,” Friedler says.

How to soothe irritated skin

While you wait for your skin to return to normal, Dr. Friedler recommends applying a cold compress or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to calm the skin down. Then, she says, avoid exposing your skin to that product again.

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One thing I've noticed having dry skin is that when it gets really dry, like from being out in the cold or excessive hand washing, is that applying moisturizing lotion can be painful. The pain is generally short lived, but it's still odd to me that doing something good for my skin causes pain.

Why does this happen?

Whether you're applying products during your daytime or nighttime beauty routine, you expect your skin to feel supple, smooth, and calm after you use them. Some formulas, however, leave a stinging sensation in their wake. According to leading dermatologists, this all stems from the state of your skin's health. Here, the experts break down why you experience burning or stinging during the application process, and how to get your complexion feeling its very best again.

Related: 10 Expert-Recommended Products to Prevent Dry Skin

According to Dr. Alexis Stephens, the consulting dermatologist for Urban Skin Rx, a stinging sensation is most likely the result of a compromised skin barrier. Your face might have become sensitized, which is often the result of overusing harsh products (like chemical peels and acids or retinoids). In the same vein, your complexion's protective layer might be damaged, notes Dr. Julie Russak of Russak Dermatology in New York City. "Our skin is designed as a protective barrier to protect our underlying tissues from [external stressors]," she explains. "The skin has several layers. The top layer is the stratum corneum, a cornified layer that is basically a collection of dried-up cells that no longer contain cytoplasm."

When this layer is disrupted, stinging will occur. "There are also sensitive skin conditions, such as rosacea and eczema, that commonly experience stinging sensations," Dr. Stephens says. "Occasionally, even someone without a compromised barrier may experience stinging if the product being applied has a particularly low pH, making it very acidic, like certain AHAs (glycolic acid) or even vitamin C."

woman applying face skincare looking in bathroom mirror

Why does my dry skin burn

While the stinging you feel might be mild, it could lead to problems if you do not address any underlying causes, especially if you suffer from a skin condition. "When the skin is inflamed from the inside out, it is not going to function as a protective barrier. It won't prevent things from getting into the skin and irritating it," Dr. Russak says. Work with your dermatologist to recalibrate your skin's microbiome, the diverse array of healthy bacteria that live on and in the dermis, and acid mantle (or the pH of you complexion), she says. Both should bring your complexion back up to speed and prevent any post-application pain in the long run.

To get your skin feeling its best again, turn to soothing ingredients, like aloe and hydrocortisone, which are known for easing irritation and sensitivity, says Dr. Stephens. One of her go-to products? Urban Skin Rx Hydrabalance Instant Moisture Infusion ($34, dermstore.com), which instantly calms and balances; over time, it builds up that necessary protective layer, making stinging sensations a thing of the past. Dr. Russak says to take a long-term approach and focus on healing your skin from the inside out. "Products such as Gladskin's Eczema Cream with Micreobalance ($35, us.gladskin.com) and Redness Relief Cream ($35, us.gladskin.com) mimic your skin's natural defenses to restore the microbiome's balance," she notes. "This calms the skin, reduces the look and feel of redness and stinging, and allows the complexion to heal."

Medically Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on April 05, 2021

  • What Causes the Inflammation?
  • What You Can Do

If you have eczema, your skin may have the hallmark signs -- scaly patches that are red, dry, and very itchy. If you have the severe type, the intense itch and dryness can cause pain and leave you with a burning, stinging sensation.

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a medical term that describes a group of skin disorders that cause inflammation. There are about seven types, and more than 31 million Americans live with some form of it. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person.

Eczema can begin before you’re 5 years old and may continue into adulthood. For some, the flare-ups may come and go for several years. If the itching and burning get too bad, it can take a toll on your quality of life.

So, what causes your skin to break out in red, itchy patches? Experts aren’t exactly sure. But research says things like health, genetics, environment, certain products, and lifestyle may act as triggers. But eczema affects different people in different ways, so the things that cause you to have flare-ups may not bother someone else.

Immune system. When you have eczema, your body has an immune system that reacts too much. It responds easily to something that’s either inside your body such as genes or outside of it like an allergen or irritant. This reaction damages the skin barrier -- the topmost layer of your skin that defends your body from bacteria and keeps it from losing too much moisture. Without this protection, your skin is more sensitive, dry, brittle, and prone to inflammation.

Genetics. You’re more likely to have eczema if you have:

Research shows that you’re also more likely to have eczema if you have a gene mutation that makes your body less able to produce enough filaggrin. This is a type of protein that helps your body build a strong skin barrier. If you’re low on filaggrin, your skin may lose a lot of water and become dry. It can also expose your skin to viruses and bacteria and make it more prone to infection.

There’s no cure or supplement you can take to fix your filaggrin levels, but keeping your immune system healthy can help ward off skin problems.

Environment. A change in weather, seasons, and temperature can cause your eczema to flare up.

In the winter, dry air can suck the moisture from your skin and cause itching. This can make your eczema worse. When you turn up the heat to make your house warm, this can dry your skin out and irritate it.

During summer, because of high temperatures, you may lose water from your skin if you don’t take in more fluids. This can lead to dryness and cause your eczema to flare up. Hot weather also makes your body sweat more and lose water as a way to cool your body.

Besides water, sweat is also made up certain metals like zinc, copper, and iron. When these come in contact with your skin, they can irritate it and set off a reaction. The sweat tends to build up most in the creases of your elbows, the backs of your knees, and neck. These then become “hot spots” for eczema rashes.

The heat itself can also trigger your eczema. Hot weather tends to expand your blood vessels underneath the skin and cause inflamed cells to move. This can kick-start the itching and burning.

Allergens and irritants. Many of the daily products you use at home, work, or on your body may irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. Whether mild or severe, these things could make your eczema worse. They can cause a type of eczema called contact dermatitis.

They can include:

  • Metals like nickel, zinc, copper, or iron
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Soap and body wash
  • Household cleaners like laundry detergent or bleach
  • Fragrances
  • Clothes made of wool or polyester
  • Antibacterial ointment
  • Formaldehyde, a chemical found in glue and disinfectants
  • Cocamidopropyl betaine, found in lotions and shampoos
  • Paraphenylene-diamine, found in leather dyes and temporary tattoos
  • Juices from fresh fruit, vegetables, or meats when you touch them
  • Food allergens like meats and vegetables

Stress. Experts say that if you’re feeling emotional distress, it could set off an eczema breakout or make it worse. But they’re not sure why that happens. If you have severe eczema, the intense itching, pain, and burning could make it hard to relax or fall asleep, cause anxiety and depression, or make you feel self-conscious about how the dry, scaly patches look. This can cause you stress and lower your quality of life.

When you see early signs of eczema like itching and redness on your skin, talk to a dermatologist to find out the cause. To get an accurate diagnosis, the earlier you get help, the better.

If you have a darker skin tone, eczema symptoms could look a little different. Instead of redness, you may see your skin turn brown, gray, or ash in color. Your skin may be discolored where the eczema patches appear.

Depending on the type of eczema you may have and how serious it is, your doctor will come up with a treatment plan that suits you best and gives you relief from the itch and burn.

If you have an allergy or other condition like asthma or hay fever that set off your breakouts, you may need to also talk to an allergy specialist.

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