Avoiding Skin Care Disasters

Just when you least expect it skin care disasters can strike. Your skin care disaster could be anything from red, irritated skin to dry and itchy skin. Learn how to both prevent and treat these skin care issues.

Don′t Share Products and Think Before You Buy

You probably know that sharing makeup, particularly eye makeup, isn′t a good idea at all. The same thing goes for buying and using skin care products based on what your mother uses or what you heard a celebrity was using. Just because someone else′s skin looks flawless and amazing using product x doesn′t mean you′ll have the same results. You could end up with red and irritated skin instead. Sometimes it′s best to show restraint before purchasing something new or sharing another person′s products.

How To Treat Your Skin If Disaster Strikes

First of all having a cream with 1% hydrocortisone in it at home is always a good idea. This cream can soothe insect bites, rashes, itchy skin, poison ivy, and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Of course if after more than a few applications your skin isn′t getting any better be sure to make an appointment to see a doctor.

Let′s say you haven′t followed any of my above advice and now you have red, irritated skin. What should you do? As stated above purchase a cream with 1% hydrocortisone in it and use for up to two weeks, once or twice a day. In addition use a gentle moisturizer that contains ceramides, feverfew, or licorice extract.

Another common skin care disaster is a rash or contact dermatitis. There are numerous things that can cause a rash and different ways to treat it depending on its severity. According to advice in Allure magazine one way to treat a rash is to apply a cold milk compress to the area for 10 minutes. You′ll need to see a doctor to pinpoint exactly what is causing your rash.

If your skin becomes dry and irritated from using a new skin care product obviously stop using the product immediately. To help your skin heal wash your skin with a gentle cleanser and avoid exfoliating until your skin starts to feel better. Be sure to use plenty of moisturizer and sunscreen.