It’s the worst thing: you’re trying to treat your hands to a lovely moisturising treat and they repay your kindness by stinging at the merest dab of cream!
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why does lotion burn dry skin
Lotions. These contain the least amount of oil. Because they are primarily made of water, lotions evaporate quickly and may contain preservatives that burn when applied to skin that’s scratched or broken.
Why is it so important to moisturize after a bath or shower?
Water is an effective way to put moisture back into the skin, but only if you use lukewarm (not hot) water, avoid scrubbing and apply a moisturizer within three minutes after bathing or showering. This last step very important — if you don’t moisturize immediately afterward, the moisture your skin needs will evaporate and may cause a rebound effect making the skin even more dry.
What kinds of moisturizers are most effective for my eczema?
Not all moisturizers are created equal. In fact, there are many types of common moisturizers that aren’t good at helping control your eczema and may even make it flare or get worse. It’s important to understand the differences between the three basic types of moisturizers — ointments, creams, and lotions — so that you can properly hydrate your skin and help keep your symptoms under control.
Moisturizers are classified based on the amount of oil and water they contain. The more oil in a moisturizer, the better it usually is at treating eczema. The best moisturizers to use are the ones that feel “greasy” (ointments and creams), because they contain more oil. These are very effective at keeping moisture in and irritants out.
All moisturizers should also be applied to your hands immediately after washing and gently blotting them dry. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep moisturizer near every sink in your home and carry a small tube with you at all times, so that you can reapply it throughout the day.
Ointments are usually the first choice for eczema treatment. They have the highest oil content of all the products (followed by creams and then lotions), so they don’t generally burn when they’re applied to sensitive skin and are very good at sealing in moisture.
Products high in oil content, such as petroleum jelly and mineral oil, are particularly good for treating eczema. But if you don’t like the way petroleum jelly, mineral oil or other ointments feels on your skin, the next best alternative is a cream.
Creams are second to ointments in the amount of oil they contain and are also very good at sealing in moisture. Because they contain less oil, they are also less greasy to the touch. Be sure to read labels carefully — creams sometimes contain stabilizers or preservatives that can irritate your skin.
These contain the least amount of oil. Because they are primarily made of water, lotions evaporate quickly and may contain preservatives that burn when applied to skin that’s scratched or broken.
If your skin stings or burns after you apply a moisturizer, switching to an ointment may help.
What Causes a Burning Sensation When Applying Moisturizer?
If your skin is already irritated or dry, it is no surprise that it may become more bothered when you apply a moisturizer. Do not make the mistake of thinking that a moisturizer may be the quick fix that you are looking for. If you use a moisturizer that is not made for your skin type or underlying skin issues, you run the risk of experiencing a burning sensation. For example, using an oil-absorbing moisturizer when you have dry skin can suck out all of the oil from the skin and exacerbate the dryness.
2. Sensitive Skin
Naturally sensitive skin is also more susceptible to experiencing a burning sensation when applying moisturizer. This is another reason why it is important to use the right moisturizer for your skins specific needs. Skin that is sensitive requires a moisturizer that does not contain any harsh chemicals.
A burning sensation on your hands is likely to be caused by one or all of these problems:
Oils tend to smooth over the cracks in the skin, even very small ones. An oil-based ointment will soften rough skin and form a protective layer over broken skin, acting as if it were itself a second skin, a barrier both to irritants and moisture loss.
If your hand cream is stinging, we’d recommend you try an unscented balm instead! Skin Salvation is an incredibly rich, super gentle salve, that is even free from essential oils.