When the Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said, “Change is the only constant in life,” he may have known that Tik Tok was coming After all, in this world of viral trends and beauty blogs, it seems like we’re always changing things up in our routines — revamping our skin and body care habits, introducing new food recipes, and trying out the latest beauty products. While these changes can improve things in our lives, there are times when that new skin care product, food, or routine can be the source of unwanted skin reactions. Let’s examine the range of reactions that can occur with changes in our routine and determine which are typical and harmless and which may be signs of greater concern.
Skin Care Products | Dietary Changes | Weather | New ingredients | Stress
Does my skin react? 5 Triggers That Cause Reactions
When it comes to reactions that occur in the body, some are immediate and obvious and others may take time to appear. While an immediate reaction can be embarrassing, it can make for an easier diagnosis. For example, if you try a new food one night and wake up bloated or itchy the next morning, there’s a good chance you’re having a reaction to that food. Other reactions can be more insidious, appearing days or even weeks into a new routine.
Signs can vary, but often appear on the skin in the form of a rash or cracked skin, redness, swelling, stinging, burning, raised bumps, peeling skin, or cracks. Sometimes the reaction coincides with pain or itching, but not always. Let’s take a deep dive into the different things that can cause the skin to react, how to spot reactions, and when to seek help.
1. Reactions to skin care products
With so many skincare and beauty products out there, it’s tempting to switch things up and try whatever’s new or viral. After all, if people are talking about it, then it must be good, right? Unfortunately, just because a skin care product becomes popular, doesn’t mean it will work for you.
Some of the reactions common with new skin care products include redness, irritation, itching and acne breakouts. These can be caused by a number of things including:
If your skin reacts badly to a beauty product, your first instinct is probably to stop using it immediately. However, there are some products that can cause a temporary skin reaction. This is where some may come. Take a look at the ingredients – maybe you’ve reacted to something in the past and this is a reminder that your body doesn’t agree with that ingredient. Eminence Organic Skin Care The products are made without many of the synthetic ingredients that can cause irritation and reactions, as we support our mission of using the best organic and Biodynamic® ingredients. A reminder to always read the label or ingredient list before trying a new product.
And keep in mind what the reaction is. If it’s swelling, pain, and redness, your best bet is to stop use immediately and consult your dermatologist. If the new product is causing your skin to break out, you might just be liquidation. If there is mild redness and peeling, same idea (hello, retinol) and your skin may just need a few weeks to get used to the new product or ingredient. If the rash is around your mouth, it may be perioral dermatitis (more on that later) and you may need treatment.
Always do a patch test before trying a new product and definitely be cautious and check with your doctor if you are unsure. As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all diagnosis.
2. Reactions to Dietary Changes
Food reactions, often manifested on the skin, can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. This happens whether you experience a negative response to a new food, or you gradually realize that a certain food doesn’t match your body chemistry.
Tingling or itching in the mouth can be a telltale sign that all is not well, as can a raised, red itchy rash on the body, face or scalp, or swelling of the eyes or lips. While food reactions are generally mild and go away when you stop eating the food, any extreme reactions such as difficulty breathing, extreme swelling and dizziness should be treated as an emergency.
When it comes to these skin reactions, your best bet is to avoid the food. Some common triggers include gluten, dairy, eggs and soy, and it’s worth getting tested (or getting a elimination diet) to get to the root cause of the problem.
What you eat can show up on your skin in other ways, too. Certain foods are inflammatory (sugar, wheat, dairy, and salt, among others), and reducing your intake can help reduce swelling and flaking of the skin. Eating a balanced diet—filled with good fats from salmon, nuts, seeds and avocados, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and lean protein—is the best way to maintain the appearance of healthy, glowing skin (in other words, your skin reacts in a good way). And don’t forget to drink enough water.
3. Reactions to weather
If you’ve ever had a sunburn in the summer or dry, itchy skin in the winter, your skin has reacted to the weather. Although these reactions are usually easy to spot, they can be dangerous and best avoided altogether if possible.
Too much time in the sun with too little sunscreen can lead to almost immediate redness, swelling, followed by skin blistering, itching and peeling. It can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. According to Skin Cancer Foundation, “even a blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life.” And don’t forget, you can also get sunburned when it’s cloudy outside. This is your reminder to wear SPF year-round, even indoors, and to cover skin with protective clothing — especially when you’re spending time outdoors in the hot sun.
If you’re dealing with a sunburn, our Product Support Team has some recommendations for ingredients that can help soothe, calm and condition the skin. Aloe vera, stone and botanical hyaluronic acid are soothing and hydrating for dry, irritated skin. Vitamins C and E are important for soothing and repairing sun-damaged skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radical damage, preventing damage caused by UV rays. Vitamin E visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin texture. Chamomile and Echinacea are known to provide relief to sunburned skin, while coconut oil has moisturizing, antiviral and antibacterial properties.
While the hot sun can cause your skin to react, the opposite end of the spectrum, cold weather, can also do a number on it. Cold air can leave the skin dry, chapped and even chapped. And indoor heating and hot baths can further strip moisture from the skin. To combat dryness and other problems that occur during winter, treat your skin with moisture and exfoliate to get rid of dry, flaky skin. Find an entire winter skin care routine here.
4. Reactions to new ingredients
Sometimes the smallest change in your routine can cause a reaction. Something as simple as a new laundry detergent or toothpaste could make your skin feel dizzy. Some ingredients just don’t work for some people, so it’s important to keep this in mind if a reaction seems to come out of nowhere. If a reaction occurs in a particular area, consider any changes you may have made. A new toothpaste, irritants from shaving cream and even some types of chewing gum can cause a condition called perioral dermatitis, a red rash that may appear around the mouth. Often mistaken for acne, this unsightly and often painful condition could be a reaction. If you can detect an outbreak on a new product, cease and desist immediately and the symptoms should disappear. If not, see your dermatologist to discuss treatments.
Body washes, lotions, and laundry detergents often contain additives and chemicals such as preservatives, parabens, colors, emulsifiers, and fragrance that can cause sensitivity or allergic reactions that manifest as itching, hives, or rashes. Always read product labels before trying new things and be sure Eminence Organics products are free of animal by-products, petroleum, propylene glycol, harmful fragrances and dyes, and parabens. Another common ingredient that can cause or worsen the condition is SLS, or sodium lauryl sulfate, which is used in many facial cleansers. Eminence products are SLS free, so switching to one of our organic cleansers can be a good first step.
If your skin reacts and you are not sure of the cause, consult your dermatologist to find out the root cause or if you suspect an allergic reaction.
5. Reactions to stress
Much of what we know how stress affects the body due to symptoms such as increased heart rate, stiff or tense muscles, low energy and digestive problems. But stress also plays a major role in how your skin looks and feels, whether you experience tension on a chronic level or not. There are a few ways it can appear – from irritations and rashes to eczema, dry skin, acne and dark circles under the eyes. The best way to combat stress in your life is to approach it from all angles. Meditation and yoga can help, as can exercise and a healthy diet full of non-inflammatory foods and lots of water! When stress shows up on the skin, it’s important to look at what aspects of your life may be contributing and see what modifications you can make — after all, health is about the whole body, inside and out.
Are you experiencing skin reactions and not sure what’s causing them? For a skin care routine tailored to your unique skin type and concerns, book a consultation with a licensed esthetician at an Eminence Organics Spa partner near you.
