When starting on a skin treatment plan that contains active ingredients, especially in the form of chemical exfoliators, initial redness may occur because of the following functions and benefits of these ingredients:

• Stimulation of lymphatic drainage for internal cleansing. This form of skin detoxification removes toxins and other unhealthy debris.
• Stimulation of oxygen-rich blood to feed and nourish the skin's surface. This boosts cellular health to reveal glowy, radiant skin. Increased blood flow to the surface of your skin also promotes collagen production.
• Increasing your skin cell turnover rate promotes new, healthy cells at the surface and breaks down and removes the dead, dry, or dying ones. The result is soft skin, smooth texture, and a more uniform appearance. 

When starting a skin treatment plan that contains active ingredients, especially chemical exfoliators, periodic peeling, and flaking skin will occur because of their functions and mechanisms of action.

Salicylic acid disrupts cellular junctions to exfoliate dead skin cells.

Glycolic acid exfoliates the skin by dissolving the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. With nothing forcing these cells to hang out together, they can finally slough off your skin. 

The stinging is mainly caused by the chemical exfoliators that form part of your treatment regimen.

The product should have an acidic pH in order for these ingredients to be effective. Acidic pH levels cause the skin to experience a stinging/burning sensation.

If your redness is not associated with discomfort, stinging, or burning, no management or intervention is needed — continue with your current treatment plan.

After washing your face, remove the cleanser with a clean, lukewarm face cloth. This will help to remove excess makeup and loose peeling skin. 

This should be done very gently, not to hurt your skin barrier.

If you experience burning, stinging, or discomfort after using medical skincare products, over-exfoliation or active ingredients may be the cause. It’s possible that your skin needs time to adjust, or you may naturally have sensitive skin. Whatever the reason, with the right care and precautions, you can still enjoy the powerful benefits of medical-grade skincare.

Signs of Over-Exfoliation or Sensitivity

• Burning or stinging after product use
• Tight, uncomfortable skin
• Redness or increased sensitivity to touch

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These guidelines will help decrease the potency of chemical exfoliants, allowing your skin to adjust while protecting its natural barrier:

Cleansing Routine

• Evening Cleansing Only: Use your cleanser once daily in the evening. In the morning, simply rinse your face with clean water.
• For Loose, Peeling Skin: Use a lukewarm face cloth to gently wipe your face in the morning. This will help remove loose, dead skin without irritating your skin further.
• Wet Before Application: Before applying cleanser, wet your face to help neutralize the product and reduce its potency.
• Shortened Application Time: Keep the cleanser on your skin for no more than 1 minute. Remove it gently using a clean, lukewarm face cloth, which will also help remove any remaining makeup or peeling skin.

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Using Chemical Exfoliants

(Chemical Peel spray / Glycolic gel / Salicylic gel)

• Limit Frequency: Apply chemical exfoliants 1-2 times per week, focusing only on areas with acne breakouts or blackheads.
• Burning or Stinging: If burning or stinging lasts for more than 1 minute, rinse the product off immediately and apply a soothing product such as DermRepair or DermNourish. Your skin may need more time to build tolerance to the exfoliant.
• Tolerability Testing: After a few days, try reapplying the exfoliant to check if your skin can now tolerate it without discomfort. Gradually, your skin may adapt to the active ingredients.
• Potency Reduction: Even if you rinse off the product quickly, the exfoliant will still induce a biological response, providing results. Rinsing only decreases the potency but does not negate the benefits of the product.

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Supporting the Skin Barrier

• Use barrier-supporting products such as DermRepair or DermNourish to soothe and protect your skin during recovery.
• Avoid introducing too many active ingredients at once. Allow your skin to adjust to each product gradually.

Salicylic acid is a fantastic FDA-approved ingredient for treating inflammation, acne, breakouts, and congested pores. It decongests pores by dissolving and extracting dirt, oil, and cellular debris in the pores and follicles. Salicylic acid also disrupts cellular junctions to exfoliate dead skin cells.

The primary function of Glycolic acid is to exfoliate the skin by dissolving the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. With nothing forcing these cells to hang out together, they can finally slough off your skin. As the superficial, damaged layer of skin gives way to the newer layer underneath, your skin gets smoother and brighter. The wrinkles look smaller. Dark spots slowly fade away. Your whole complexion subtly glows.

Glycolic acid has a whole list of benefits, including collagen production, pigmentation treatment, hydration enhancement, etc. For more information on all Glycolic acid's benefits and modes of action, click here.