We’ve all been there. You’re feeling adventurous and try a new moisturizer, or primer, or foundation, and have a horrible allergic reaction on your skin. Trying to cover it with makeup only further irritates it, and then you’re left with an even bigger mess. Many drugstore moisturizers, washes, and toners contain chemicals that will make your skin even angrier, so this is a great time to seek out natural remedies. Have you ever thought of using essential oils for skin irritation? We’ve put together 3 natural ways to calm skin, including a DIY essential oil mix that may help take your puffy, red, blotchy, and itchy skin and calm it quickly.
What Is Skin Irritation?
Skin irritation is a condition in which a person’s skin is inflamed, red, or itchy due to contact with an irritant (such as a chemical, plant, or detergent). It is a common and uncomfortable condition that can affect any part of the body. The symptoms vary depending on the type of irritant and the amount of exposure. Some common signs and symptoms of skin irritation may include:
- Redness
- Itching
- Burning
- Stinging
- Swelling
In a few cases, further irritation or an allergic reaction may occur, resulting in hives or a rash.
READ MORE: Top 22 Natural Skin Care Products & Tools To Sculpt & Beautify Aging Skin
What Causes Skin Irritation?
Skin irritation can be caused by a variety of irritants, including soaps, detergents, chemicals, fragrances, cosmetics, plants, and fabric. The best way to reduce the risk of skin irritation is by avoiding contact with commonly known irritants or taking steps to reduce their exposure by using more naturally made products, or products without fragrance.
Treatments for Skin Irritations
There are many treatments that doctors can give for skin irritation. The type of treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the irritation, as well as the severity of the symptoms.
Topical medications such as corticosteroids, and antihistamines are typically the first line of treatment. Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation, while antihistamines can help to reduce itching. In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe oral medications, such as antibiotics or anti-fungal medications, depending on the cause of the irritation.
If the irritation is severe, your doctor may recommend light therapy (phototherapy) or photodynamic therapy. These treatments use ultraviolet or laser light to reduce inflammation and shrink swollen tissue. In more difficult cases, your doctor may even suggest a combination of treatments in order to effectively manage the irritation.
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If the skin irritation is caused by an underlying skin condition, such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, your doctor will likely recommend creams, lotions, or other medications specifically designed to treat that condition.
It’s best to talk to your doctor if it’s a big irritation or a lingering one. If the irritation is small and just happened, trying natural remedies first may also be helpful in reducing skin irritation. Oatmeal baths, tea tree oil, chamomile, and aloe vera gel are all known to help with skin irritation.
Solution: 3 Natural Remedies for Skin Irritation
Try our favorite three skin-calming steps in succession, or try one or two separately, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Most of the ingredients you need may be stuff you already have in your house. So get to work! You’ll be feeling fresh, de-puffed, de-itched, and redness-free in no time!
Green Tea for Skin Irritation
Green tea does a phenomenal job of calming the red pigment in your skin and replenishing essential moisture. When your skin is inflamed, itchy, and irritated, one of the worst parts is walking around with a blotchy red face. Green tea is a natural anti-inflammatory and will help bring down redness and calm puffiness. Applying it regularly can help to keep the redness, irritation, and itchiness at bay. Plus, its antioxidant properties help to protect the skin from sun damage and free radicals, helping to keep your skin looking younger and healthier.
You can apply green tea, such as this organic version from Stash Tea, to your skin in two ways:
- Boil water, and steep 4-6 teabags for 5 minutes. Then, when cooled a bit and at a reasonably warm temperature, soak a washcloth in the tea and rest the cloth on your face.
- Or, you can squeeze excess water out of the teabags and apply them to your face directly.
Leave the cloth/teabags on your skin for 5-10 minutes, after which, you will see a noticeable improvement in your skin’s appearance.
READ MORE: 6 Baby Eczema Natural Remedies to Try
Oatmeal To Calm Skin Irritation
Oatmeal has been used to soothe skin irritation for over 4,000 years! The secret is in oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds called avenanthramides. Basically, that means that oatmeal will help take the redness out, as well as soothe any itchiness you have. It also helps your skin fight dryness, reduces pore size, and it also moisturizes.
It is highly nutritious and rich in minerals and vitamins that can help nourish and protect the skin. Scientifically oatmeal contains phenols and saponins, which are compounds that can help protect the skin from environmental damage, promote healing, and help retain moisture. Oatmeal is also rich in polysaccharides, which can help form a protective barrier on the skin to lock in moisture and treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
And when used as a masque it has cleansing and exfoliating properties, which can help remove dirt, oil, and dead skin, leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed. We love this oatmeal mask recipe for soothing irritated skin. The ingredients you need are:
- 2 tablespoons colloidal oatmeal (We use Bob’s Red Mill organic oatmeal, ground into a fine powder in a coffee grinder/food processor)
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
Mix the ingredients together and let sit for 5 minutes. Then, gently massage onto your skin, forming a mask. Leave the mask on your skin for 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
Nature’s Perfect Moisturizer: Coconut Oil
After treating your skin with green tea and oatmeal, a little additional moisturizer will help bring your skin back to its glowy goodness. That’s where coconut oil comes in! Coconut oil is a popular choice for treating skin because of its many helpful properties. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties that help reduce inflammation and keep the skin healthy.
Coconut oil is also an effective moisturizer for the skin because of its high concentration of fatty acids which are quickly absorbed by the skin. It helps replenish the skin’s natural oils, keeping it hydrated and protected from environmental damage. It can also help treat wrinkles, dark spots, and other signs of aging. It can even help kill bacteria that can cause acne. – What don’t we love about coconut oil?
It’s natural, safe, and gentle, and can help keep the skin looking healthy and young. We love Nature’s Way’s extra virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil, and it really works well for putting moisture back into your inflamed skin. Massage the oil wherever your skin is red, itchy, or dry, and continue to reapply as needed.
Solution: Essential Oils for Skin Irritation
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts derived from plants, such as flowers, leaves, roots, and bark. The compounds in essential oils are responsible for the scent and flavor of the plant they come from. They are made using a process called steam distillation which extracts the essential oils from the plant material and are used in many different applications, including aromatherapy, massage, and skin care.
Essential oils are generally safe to use on the skin as long as they are diluted properly. Diluting essential oils with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil, helps prevent skin irritation and reduces their potency. Typically they have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, which can help reduce skin infections and improve the appearance of the skin. Additionally, some essential oils are said to have the ability to reduce inflammation, improve skin hydration, and provide antioxidant protection from UV radiation and environmental pollutants. Cool, right?
With a few essential oils combined, you can create your own spa-like facial oil at home. These essential oils for skin irritation are great for any skin type and will leave your skin feeling refreshed, moisturized, hydrated, and glowing.
READ MORE: Essential Oils for Your Face
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons of carrier oil such as jojoba essential oil
- 2 tablespoons of Essential Rosehip oil
- 5 drops each of:
Directions:
Using a dark amber bottle, combine carrier oils and essential oils. Store in a cool, dry place. Use on your skin after cleansing both morning and night or as directed by your doctor. Allow oils to completely absorb into your skin before applying makeup or any other topical agents.
Natural remedies and essential oils for skin irritations are both great resources to tap into when your skin isn’t feeling great. Do a skin test before applying any essential oils directly to your skin, and dilute them with a carrier oil when possible. Depending on your skin type, you’ll likely need to adjust the type of essential oils you use and the amount of each ingredient. The steps outlined above will help you customize a natural blend of essential oils to soothe your skin, and a few natural remedies to soothe your skin too.
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Heather, how often do you use the oatmeal mask?
I did my 1st time 3 steps last night & this morning. I had to go to the store to get some coconut oil. What an amazing difference! MY SKIN DOESN’T EVEN LOOK LIKE MY SKIN! Now I’m just going to see what the results are over the long haul. I have found that some things work @ first and then they stop working after a few months. Thank you for my beautiful skin for today at least. A women I ran into today actually said my skin looked so young when I was running errands even before I got the coconut oil. Pleased with the results so far.