Why Does Dry Skin Burn When Moisturized? Explained

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Dry skin is a condition of skin dehydration that may cause the surface of the skin to appear and feel rough, scaly, itchy, or flaky. Each person’s skin has a unique pattern of dry patches. Besides, it is a common condition that may affect anyone at any point in their lives.

In addition, in the winter-major countries, dry skin is more prevalent. Moisturizer is the best solution to treat dry skin.

Now, do you have dry skin? Have you ever experienced a burning sensation after you have applied a moisturizer to your skin? If yes, then why does dry skin burn when moisturized?

People with dry or sensitive skin ‌get a burning sensation after moisturizing because of their thin skin layer. Usually, dry skin portrays cracked, itchy, and rough skin barriers. Some specific ingredients in the moisturizer cause a burning sensation on dry skin, such as water, alcohol, fragrances, and many more.

In this article, we have discussed the specific ingredients and how to prevent skin burn after putting on moisturizer. 

Why Does Dry Skin Burn When Moisturized?

Most people with dry skin struggle with skin flakes. That means the upper layer of the skin peels and creates flakes when you have dry skin. When we apply moisturizer to our dry peeled skin, the ingredients go directly into the sensitive, fresh layer under the flakes and cause burning.

Our skin is made of thin cells of protein and lipids. Dry skin means breakage of the protein and lipid of our skin. In this situation, the skin layer becomes cracked. When dry and cracked skin absorbs any harsh ingredient, the skin feels burning. 

If your skin feels squeaky and rough after washing it with face wash, then you have dry skin. Most people with dry skin experience stinging after using any moisturizer. Are you one of the few people suffering from the same problem? And want to know why? Then keep reading!

Skin Type

If you have dry skin, it remains scratchy and uncomfortable all time. It’s because your skin is dehydrated. And this dehydration leads your skin to become rough and sensitive. That’s the main reason to feel such sensitivity and burning while your skin is moisturized by applying any moisturizer or hydrator.

Allergic Ingredients

If the moisturizer contains any such ingredients which are allergic to dry skin, it will irritate and burn. For example-Paraben is one of those ingredients which can be allergic to you. Although it treats skin by preventing bacterial and fungal attacks, in the long run, it turns skin sensitive. 

Water

You will be surprised that water in your moisturizer can be another reason for skin sensitivity. If the water in your moisturizer is more than 85%, it can react negatively. Actually, when your skin is dry, there are so many deep cracks on the surface. And when you apply such moisturizers on a regular basis, it may make you feel a burning shock.

Alcohol

Generally, dermatologists suggest using alcohol-free products for dry and sensitive skin. So, applying any moisturizer which is formulated with alcohol is alarming for you. This type of moisturizer can burn skin.

Improper Application  

Applying moisturizer to the skin improperly is another reason for skin irritation and burning. In this regard, you need to know how to apply moisturizer so that it won’t cause any issues. In the latter portion, you will see in detail the application process of moisturizer for dry skin.

How To Apply Moisturizer To Dry Skin?

It’s time to apply moisturizer to your dry skin. But before you apply, you must read the manual to know about the application process of your moisturizer. However, the process is almost similar for all products. What is it?

• Wash your face with a mild cleanser that doesn’t include any alcohol and fragrance.
• Rub all over the skin to remove oil and other dirt from the skin. Moreover, if you massage efficiently, it will help to get rid of white heads and dead skin cells.
• Use soft water to rinse your skin. However, you may apply micellar water if your skin turns totally dull and damaged due to dehydration.
• Apply gentle pressure with a towel to dry your skin.
• Now, apply your moisturizer to the face. But remember, try to use it on the cheeks and T zone of the face.

How To Prevent Burning Sensation On Dry Skin After Moisturized?

Dry skin lets small cracks happen in the skin for the lacking of moisture. These cracks act as a wound; whenever we put on any moisturizer. And this wound causes a burning sensation. So how to avoid feeling a burning sensation after using moisturizer? Let’s go through the further details. 

Treating dry skin will help to prevent a burning sensation after using moisturizer. Here are tips to avoid feeling burning after applying moisturizer:

Use Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient that works effectively for dry and rough skin. We all know lack of moisture causes dry skin on the face. Hyaluronic Acid helps to lock the moisture of your face and makes your skin supple and moisturized. Putting Hyaluronic Acid on a damp face before the moisturizer will not cause any burning sensation.

Always Use Mild Face Cleanser

Using a mild face cleanser is a vital rule for getting rid of dry skin. Your skin should not feel too dry or moistureless after cleaning it with a cleanser. Harsh chemicals containing face cleansers cause irritation to dry skin. So, use a mild and soft one. Alcohol-Free and Fragrance-Free face cleansers are perfect for dry and flaky skin.

Exfoliate Once A Week

Not exfoliating your skin will let the dead skin build into your skin. The dead skin cells will keep your skin dry by absorbing all the moisture. Gently exfoliating once a week will let your skin be healthy and supple.

Use A Hydrating Toner

Before putting moisturizer, hydrating toner and serum will make sure that your skin is directly not absorbing the moisturizer. A hydrating toner has to be applied before moisturizer and serums.

Sunscreen Is A Must

Exposing the skin directly to the sun causes skin peeling and makes the skin barrier thin. This condition will lead to burning and itching feelings if you do not use sunscreen accordingly every day. You have to use spf50+ every day to prevent dry and sensitive skin.

What Not To Do For Dry And Burning Skin?

To prevent the dry skin sensation, the only treatment is not enough. Moreover, you need to avoid something. Here is the list of what not to do for dry and burning skin:

Hot Showers

Taking a hot bath or washing your face with hot water will break the proteins and lipids of the skin cells. For this reason, your skin will experience dryness and sensitivity. But, you may take a mild-warm bath. It will not cause your skin to dry and protect your moisture barrier.

Over-exfoliating

Over-exfoliating, your skin will make skin irritating and rough. The dermatologist recommends only exfoliating once a week. If you use a chemical exfoliation, then use it twice a week. Also, check the ingredients of your exfoliator before you try it on your skin. Crushed walnuts tear the moisture barrier of your skin. That’s why avoid walnut exfoliators.

Chlorinated Water

Chlorinated water or pool water has harsh and toxic ingredients that irritate dry and cracked skin. Before you go to the pool, make sure to moisturize your skin and apply sunscreen to avoid any kind of burning or irritation.

Alcohol And Fragrance

Most people’s skin is allergic to alcohol and fragrance that is used on skincare items. Also, alcohol and fragrances are unsuitable for people with dry and sensitive skin. When these ingredients come in touch with cracked and rough skin, they cause burning and sensation. Using moisturizer without fragrance and alcohol will not let any burning feeling on your skin.

FAQs

Is moisturizer harmful to dry skin?

Not all moisturizers. If your moisturizer is free from any alcohol, fragrances, parabens, and any harsh chemicals, it is great for dry skin. Moreover, it will help to recover your skin barrier and lock the hydration on the surface.

Is moisturizer good for oily skin?

Dermatologists always recommend using a moisturizer whether you have dry skin or oily skin. A moisturizer helps to repair your skin barrier and protects your skin from the outer environment. That’s why keeping a moisturizer in your daily skincare routine is vital.

What causes the dry skin’s burning?

A lot of facts cause dry skin burning, such as ingredients of skincare items, environment, race, genetics, health problems, etc. The number one cause of feeling burned on your dry skin is the ingredients of products we generally consume. 

Should I stop using moisturizer if it burns?

If a moisturizer is causing a burning sensation in your skin, then you should change the moisturizer. Replace your current moisturizer with a mild moisturizer if it has active ingredients such as surfactants, emulsifiers, or alpha hydroxy acid.

Conclusion

Now that you know the reason, why does dry skin burn when moisturized. However, you can prevent your burning sensation easily. The main reason for the burning feeling after putting moisturizer is the active ingredients that are present in the moisturizer.

Let your skin heal from the cracks before applying any active acid to your face. We hope this article will help you learn about using moisturizers more efficiently to heal your dry skin.