Dealing with Skin Allergy

Skin allergy, it just happened with no warning. Or maybe there was, just that I didn’t give much notice.

It started with an itch, followed by the redness and the rashes. Then it started peeling and the red marks that remain during the healing process makes you look like you’re having a horrible infection.

skin allergy rashes

When the rashes became prominent

I made the mistake by scratching. But the itch was so overwhelming that I can’t help it.

Itching is something common when you have sensitive skin, little did I know that the itch this time meant something different. I tried to stop myself from scratching by putting ice to ease the itch or hitting my skin instead to inflict pain so as to overpower the itch.

But the itch is not the worse.

The raw red rashes that protruded from your skin to drying up and tightening of the skin that makes it felt like sandpaper. It looks like something you get from an infection but it’s just your skin being allergic.

Then comes the peeling, bits of skin rubbing off your skin. And when you try to peel off that piece of skin dangling, you might end up peeling off skin that are not totally detached and end up with a small tear.

DO NOT PANIC

No matter how bad the skin looks, do not panic. It won’t help but will just make you feel more miserable.

Stop all sort of skin care and go back to the very basics. Cleanse, tone and moisturize. For me, I stick to just cleansing, non-alcohol toner to soothe the skin and ointment for the affected areas.

Identify the reason for your allergy. Have you use something new in your routine? Did you feel itch before the huge reaction when you use a certain product? Sometimes allergic reaction don’t act up immediately.

Having sensitive skin, my skin itch occasionally when using certain products that are not suitable or when my skin just happens to be at a weak stage. But itching happens rarely.

Identify the reason behind the skin allergy

I identified the culprit behind my skin allergy after realizing that I’ve been itching every now and then ever since I started using it. And I’m very disappointed because I liked the product and the results it gives. The product in question here is the MKUP Real Complexion Cream. I’ve really liked the product and been wanting to write a review before the reaction. I’ve been using it for almost everyday since I’ve purchased it in the beginning of May

Thanks to the help of a fellow beauty blogger friend who experience skin allergies often, I came to understand why is the cream the cause of my allergy.

Apparently, some of the ingredients inside are too harsh for the skin. Think fruits acids, tranexamic acid(similar to a skin bleaching agent), arbutin which induces peeling. These are some good ingredients, and they also have rosewater, calendula etc which are good for sensitive skin. Sadly the ratio for the harsh and strong ingredients are on the high side, which can make the skin over-sensitive from prolonged use.

I’m not one that read the ingredients list thoroughly, I’ll just take note of the main ingredients instead. But I guess from now on, it’s better to research properly for my skin’s sake. I never had such a bad reaction before but I guess once is enough. I’m not an expert but I thought I knew enough to choose products for myself. Skin allergy is scary both physically and emotionally. I’m lying if I say I don’t feel depressing with these red rashes on my face.

I must say that I could have prevent this huge reaction from happening if I give more notice to the mild itch that occurred since I started on the product. But sometimes you just don’t think it’s the product but maybe it’s the dust or your pillow etc etc.

Keep track of your routine

I guess I will also start to take note of the products I use and the date I started on them. And will try not to introduce too many new products into my routine at one go. I’ve also just throw out a stash of products and samples that are nearing expiry that I’ve kept for a while.

I still have a range of skincare products pending review which I’ve yet to start using. At least it’s a brand I trust. You can’t really go wrong with Japanese brands. But I guess it will be the last skincare brand which I will be reviewing for sometime now as I don’t want to traumatize my skin further after it healed.

After peeling

Here’s hoping that my skin will fully recover soon so I can start wearing makeup again. The only good thing is that I’ve extra 20 minutes of sleep everyday since I can’t wear makeup while my skin is healing. You could wear makeup to cover up the rashes, but I rather not aggravate it as the skin is ultra-sensitive at this stage. 

Read More: Why you need an anti-ageing skincare routine

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