Why Is My Skin Red, Irritated, or Burning? The Truth About Your Skin Barrier

One of the most common things I hear - both in the treatment room and from our community - is:

“I’m using all the right products, but my skin is still red, reactive, and constantly irritated.”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong, your skin is simply telling you that its barrier is overwhelmed. Let’s talk about why that happens (even with “good” products), and how to bring your skin back to balance.

What’s Actually Happening Under the Surface?

➤ Your skin barrier is impaired

• The outermost layer of your skin, the stratum corneum, acts as a protective shield with a beautiful moisturising factor of lipids.
  

• When it's damaged, things like water loss, allergens, and inflammation increase dramatically.
  

• Signs of a compromised barrier: redness, stinging, flaking, burning, or tightness.
  

➤ Redness is often a form of micro-inflammation

• Red skin doesn’t always mean an allergy. It’s often a low-grade, chronic inflammatory response.
  

• This can be triggered by overuse of actives, harsh cleansers, strong exfoliants, or even fragrance, essential oils, ill health, flights, medication…the list goes on!
  

"But I’m using good products!" The Hidden Triggers

This is why it's important to get advice around what's right for you from skin health experts because they:

• Contain too many actives (retinoids + exfoliating acids + vitamin C = overload)
  

• Strip the skin with over-cleansing or exfoliation
  

• Disrupt your skin’s microbiome (its natural good bacteria)
  

“More is not always better. One of the biggest gifts you can give your skin is simplicity and consistency and it's one of the reasons I created my Signature collection” – Louise

Our Barrier-First Philosophy at Louise Thomas Skin Care

Our unique Hydrating Complex*

All of our products in the Louise Thomas Skincare Collection contain our unique Hydrating Complex which supports the lipid barrier.

Why your skin loves it:

Glycerine - Humectant and moisturiser. Holds onto water and prevents transepidermal water loss.

Sodium Hyaluronate - Is part of Hyaluronic acid BUT it has a much smaller molecular weight which means it can penetrate the Epidermis and assist with hydrating the layer of skin below. It's a humectant and acts like a moisture magnet.

A plant derived polysaccharide - A moisturising and skin soothing ingredient. It works by binding water to the epidermis and creating a moisture-binding film on the skin that gives a soft, smooth feeling. In addition to providing long lasting moisturisation, it also functions as an anti-irritant.

How to Calm Red, Reactive Skin

1. Strip back your routine — use fewer products and look for formulas with barrier-supporting ingredients
   
2. Stop exfoliating temporarily — even gentle AHAs can worsen inflammation if your barrier is already impaired
   Hydrate & protect — look for products with humectants (like glycerin) and lipid-repairing ingredients like The Hydrator. 
   
3. Patch test everything — your skin might react to something you wouldn’t expect
   
4. Be patient - barrier repair can take 2–6 weeks
   

“At Louise Thomas Skin Care, we believe in rebuilding trust - not just between you and your skin, but between you and the skincare you choose.”

If you’re doing ‘everything right’ and still struggling, it’s not your fault, it’s your skin asking for less, not more. At Louise Thomas Skin Care, we’re here to help you listen, simplify, and start again from a place of calm and care. Book an appointment with Louise at The Skin Lounge.